SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. (KCBS) - When you give a tip for curbside baggage service at the airport, that gratuity may not be going where you intended.
Some skycaps at SFO were reluctant to talk on the record. Those that did grumbled about the $2 to $3 fee airlines charge for bag handling services that used to be free. "Just like the lady, just right here, she gave me nothing but the $2. I explained to her that it was $2 for the bag and if she'd like to give a gratuity there is you know, she gave me $2 and goodbye," described one skycap who handled a passenger's bag Thursday morning without receiving a tip.
Consumer advocates claim the fee is having a devastating impact, curbside. Skycaps say they are being deprived of up to 40% of their wages.
Some lawmakers say they recognize the woes of the airline industry, but are outraged nonetheless. "Time's tough, we may have to raise prices a little bit. That's fine, but I don't appreciate disingenuous fees being hidden," explained Assemblyman Lloyd Levine, D-Woodland Hills.
Levine authored AB-408 to ensure that money given to skycaps stays in their pockets. "Simply put, Assembly bill 408 was written and introduced to protect the skycaps in California," he said of his legislation.
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