Assemblymember Lloyd Levine Authors Bill Designed to Keep Luggage Tips in the Hands of Skycaps Instead of the Airlines

SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember Lloyd Levine (D-Woodland Hills, Los Angeles Co.) says despite a bad economy and high fuel prices, Memorial Day weekend is kicking off a busy travel season and skycaps must be financially protected from the airlines.

 Levine is authoring Assembly Bill 408 insuring any money skycaps receive from airline passengers for transporting their luggage be considered gratuity and kept as part of their wages. Skycaps traditionally transport luggage at airports, perform curbside check-in, push wheelchairs and generally work for tips. Airlines have recently started to charge customers a per bag fee when using skycaps. Customers often assume the fee is a tip and have stopped tipping the skycaps.

“We are in the midst of some very tough economic times and it’s ridiculous the large airlines are trying to make-up for outrageously high fuel costs by taking the tips of the skycaps who are trying to make ends meet,” Assemblymember Lloyd Levine. “Airlines with a lot of clout should go after the oil companies, not the skycaps.”

Skycaps are losing up to $80 a day in  Los Angeles and other airports around the country when an airline charges a per bag fee.

American Airlines just announced starting June 15th, passengers with luggage will be charged $15 for checking a single bag. Other airlines are expected to follow suit because of the high cost of fuel.