SESSION TOPIC: BAGGAGE

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
At the end of the session you will be able to:

1.Identify the usage of different tags on different check-in terms

2. Recognize the check-in terms
3. Understand the procedures when checking in special items

KEY TERMS:

Limited release Stroller tag

Automated Bag Tag (ABT) Wheelchair
Fragile Tag Fallback sorting tag

Check-in
The agent pulls up your itinerary on the computer and prints out one or more tags to attach
to each of your pieces of luggage. The tag has all of your flight information on it, including your
destination and any stopover cities, as well as a bar code that contains a ten-digit number.
This number is unique to your luggage. All of the computers in the baggage-handling
system can use this number to look up your itinerary.
Your bag's first stop (after check-in) is at an automated bar-code scanner. This station is
actually an array of bar-code scanners arranged 360 degrees around the conveyor, including
underneath. This device is able to scan the bar codes on about 90 percent of the bags that pass by.
The rest of the bags are routed to another conveyor to be manually scanned.
Once the baggage-handling system has read the 10-digit bar-code number, it knows where
your bag is at all times.
Conveyors take each bag to the appropriate destination. For example, it routes bags headed
out of the country through X-ray machines and other security devices.

Accepting Baggage
Airline ground service agents (GSA) accept passengers' baggage during the check-in
process at the check-in counter and other off-site check-in locations. The GSA is required to
inspect every bag to determine whether the baggage is in an acceptable condition and will not be
damaged under normal baggage handling procedures. This inspection not only helps passengers to
avoid baggage handling problems but also assists the airline to avoid incurring expenses associated
with the damaged baggage.
Before accepting the passenger's baggage, the check-in agent must ensure that all loose
items on the baggage such as straps or bungee cords are removed so that they do not cause damage
to the baggage delivery equipment or create safety hazards.
Each piece of baggage to be checked in must also have a name tag indicating the address
(and preferably the phone number or e-mail address) of the owner. This is an additional means to
ensure ownership of the baggage and to locate the owner in instances whereby the baggage is
misrouted.
Occasionally, passengers tie two pieces of baggage together and check them in as one piece.
The check-in agent must ensure that the baggage will not fall apart during transit. If uncertain, the
GSA must require the passenger to check the pieces of baggage separately.

Unacceptable check-in Items

While traveling, passengers must accept the responsibility for the contents of the baggage
they will check in with and carry on the flight. Airlines also specify in the terms and conditions
associated with the ticket that they ae not responsible for lost or damaged items.

Limited Release Items

A "limited release" tag may be issued at the time of check-in when a passenger checks in
fragile, perishable, oversized or overweight articles, baggage unsuitably packed, or baggage or
boxes with pre-existing damage.
Limited Release means the airline will not cover the cost for any item that is damaged
during transit. For example, items are improperly packaged, or you show up with a suitcase that is
missing wheels or already damage the airline will have you sign a limited release and not cover
the item. Another example is soft sided golf case. When traveling with golf clubs they should be
in a hard-sided case. If someone with a soft sided golf case shows up to the counter the agent may
ask for the customer to sign a limited release in the case that the clubs inside should break the
airline is not liable to repair or replace the item. If you refuse the airline can refuse to accept the
item since it's considered improperly packaged. Electronics, boxes, bikes etc. can all be asked to
have you sign that release.

Sample Limited Release tag from

Qantas
Fragile Items
Musical instruments and ceramics are examples of fragile items. Airlines do not hold any
liability for any kind of damage to such limited release items during the transportation of the
baggage.

Examples of fragile and bulky items are:

•Bicycles
•Media bags
•Musical instruments
•Paintings
•Sculptures
•Sleeping bags
•Strollers
•Tents
•Trophies
•Vases

Perishables
Most countries do not allow on bringing Seafood, Meats and Other Perishable Items. For
domestic stations, the airlines can check-in these items as long as adequate and proper packing is
ensured to prevent leakage during transit. However, certain restrictions may be imposed on other
countries. It is the passenger's responsibility to find out what are the policies being observed at
the destination station. Contact the destination country’s Bureau of Plant and Quarantine as well
as Customs to know more about these regulations.

Oversized and overweight baggage

The airline is not liable to pay compensation for oversized and baggage that are damaged
in the process of handling or during the flight.

Damaged baggage
The physical condition of the baggage must also be examined by the check- in agent.
Before accepting the baggage, the agent must ensure that it is in good condition; if the bag is
damaged, the passenger must sign the "limited release-received damaged" section at the back of
the baggage tag. This states that the passenger understands that he or she is checking in an article
that was previously damaged, and the airline does not hold any responsibility for the article.
Examples of damaged baggage include:
• Broken handles
• Broken or missing straps
• Tears in fabric
• Dents or cracks in the outer shell of the bag
• Broken wheels
• Broken locks
Late baggage check-in
Late baggage refers to any baggage accepted at check-in after the established cut-off time.
Passengers are advised that the airline will do everything possible to load the baggage on the flight.
Thereafter, the passenger generally agrees to the fact that the baggage may not be shipped on the
same flight. An airline is only responsible for shipping the baggage to its destination without other
liabilities including delivery of the baggage out of the airport.

Identifying Different tags

The information printed on the ABT or manual bag tag varies slightly from one airline to
another, but every tag has the passenger's name, flight number, date and destination.

Manual bag tag

A manual bag tag may be used in instances when the ABT machines are not available.
The GSA must write the baggage itinerary and passenger information onto the tag and attach it to
the checked baggage. The agent is also required to enter the baggage number into the departure
control system (DCS) to have the baggage recorded as checked baggage.

Sample Automated Bag Tag Sample Manual Bag Tag

Priority tag
Priority baggage tags are used for first class, business class, and high-level frequent flyers.
The main purpose of the tag is to help the ramp agent identify baggage that belong to these
passengers. This baggage is stored separately in the cargo hold area and gets delivered to the
baggage claim carousel before all other baggage. Generally, the priority tags are brightly color
coded so that they cannot be overlooked.

Heavy Tag
A heavy tag is used for baggage that exceed 23 kg. Some heavy tags require the check-in
agent to indicate the actual weight of the baggage onto the tag. The main purpose of this tag is to
help notify the baggage handling staff (especially ramp agents) so that they can take additional
precautions to avoid injury when handling this baggage.

Fragile tag
A fragile tag or adhesive label is used on baggage that the passenger has identified as
containing fragile, that is, breakable materials. The tag serves as a reminder to any baggage
handling staff to take extra care so that the contents are not damaged.

Stroller tag
This tag is used for passengers who travel with an infant or toddler using a stroller. If the
parent decides to put the child in the stroller until boarding.

Wheelchair tag
Like the stroller tag, passengers with their own wheelchairs are required to check these in
at the gate. For passengers who require using a wheelchair within the aircraft cabin, a specially
designed wheelchair is provided inside the cabin.

Checking in Special Items

Apart from baggage and boxes, passengers often check in special items that require extra
care and attention. These special items include electric wheelchairs, sports equipment, and animals.

Electric Wheelchair
Generally, there are two types of electric wheelchairs-dry cell (non-spillable) battery-
powered wheelchairs and wet cell (spillable) battery-powered wheelchairs. When accepting a dry
cell battery-powered wheelchair, the GSA must ensure that the battery is disconnected, and the
battery needs to be shipped together with the wheelchair. On the other hand, if the passenger is
checking in a wet cell battery-powered wheelchair, the battery removed from the wheelchair and
placed in a specially designed battery box.
Sporting equipment
Sporting equipment is one of the most common items that passengers check in. Often, these
include golf clubs (that are generally handled as normal baggage), bicycles, scuba diving
equipment, windsurfing and surfing equipment, skis, and snowboards.

Animals
Pets are usually transferred in the cargo compartment. However, some airlines also allow
pets to travel inside the passenger cabin. The transportation of live animals is regulated by the
International Air Transport Association (IATA) and passengers are not exempted from any of the
established regulations. Animals that airlines may accept include large and small dogs, domestic
cats, large and small birds (such as parakeets, canaries, and finches), and small monkeys.
There are two options for passengers to transport animals on commercial flights: check-in
and in cabin.

In-text Activity
Pet Travel Routine: Flying with a Cat In-Cabin | What to Expect
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRvc-2P7syQ

Airport Baggage Handling System

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RD1fOJKgfg

AirAsia | Steps for Self Bag Tag: Print at Kiosk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPcQiuTvQj4&t=6s

Summary
As the airline is held accountable for the safe transport of passenger's checked-in baggage,
the GSA must ensure that all steps in the baggage acceptance process are strictly adhered to.
Passengers travel with a myriad of personal belongings that are important to them and for which
they would hold the airline responsible if these are misplaced or-damaged. Therefore, proper
handling can save the airline millions in claims.
It is the responsibility of the GSA to verify the baggage's suitability for acceptance. Airlines
use different labels and tags to ensure that the passenger's baggage is handled correctly. Other than
ordinary baggage, airlines accept special items for check-in such as sporting equipment, animals,
strollers, and wheelchairs for which additional handling procedures are required.
Assessment

Answer the following questions in essay format.

1. What is the difference between a pet in cabin and pet check-in? What are the procedures?
2. What are the foods allowed and not allowed inside the cabin? Explain.
3. What are the necessary information needed if you are going to use the manual tagging of
luggage? Why those information important?
 REFERENCES

Law, C. et Doerfelin M. (2014). Introduction to Airline Ground Service

Quora (2020). Limited release baggage tag. Retrieved from: https://www.quora.com/What-is-
meant-by-limited-release-printed-in-airline-boarding-
pass#:~:text=is%20not%20liable-,Limited%20Release%20means%20the%20airline%20
will%20not%20cover%20the%20cost,and%20not%20cover%20the%20item.