At UK airports, employees are receiving monetary incentives for detecting luggage out of the allowed size and therefore fine. The measure applies to passengers of Easyjet, an airline frequently used by Portuguese living or traveling to this country.
Bonus system by irregular baggage detection
According to information released by various British media, Swissport employees receive a pound for each cabin bag identified as being above the authorized dimensions. Payment is made for each detection near the boarding doors.
The information was released, according to the sharing of internal emails sent to Swissport employees in at least seven airports. Messages describe the system as a “incentive for baggage recipes on boarding doors” and as a “reward for doing the right thing.”
Companies and airports involved
Among the above airports are Birmingham, Glasgow, Jersey and Newcastle. The practice also covers employees of DHL Supply Chain, which operates at Gatwick, Bristol and Manchester airports. Both companies provide land assistance services.
The keywords “Airports” and “fine” are at the center of this measure that transforms the detection of higher luggage into a revenue opportunity for subcontractors and companies. The goal is to ensure that passengers pay for luggage that exceeds the allowed.
Information escape exposes practice to the public
The revelation of the incentive system came through the local Jersey Evening Post newspaper, which had access to internal documentation. Subsequently, the theme was widely publicized by communication agencies such as The Guardian and Sunday Times.
Easyjet’s policy allows only one suitcase that fits under the seat as a free luggage. Any other cabin item is subject to the payment of additional fees, normally indicated during the reserve process.
Passenger volume can increase impact
As the United Kingdom is a destination with a high presence of Portuguese citizens, these practices directly or indirectly affect many Portuguese travelers. Implementation in multiple airports increases the likelihood of application of these fines.
Easyjet has registered profits of around 9.3 billion pounds in the last year. This amount has fueled the debate on the need to resort to additional collection strategies with passengers.
Criticism of the impact of the measure on consumers
Consumer Protection experts report that the measure can lead to pressure or arbitrariness in the evaluation of bags, with potential consequences for poorly informed passengers or on a short trip.
In addition to Swissport, DHL Supply Chain also confirmed similar incentives. Both companies operate as EasyJet subcontractors, which reinforces the scope of ‘fine hunting’ practice at British airports.
Implications for luggage control
The presence of pipeline bonuses can influence employee behavior near the boarding doors. Evaluation criteria may become more rigorous, given the direct connection to financial compensation.
Consumer protection organizations appeal to greater transparency by airlines regarding luggage policies and the existence of such incentive systems, with the objective of protecting passenger rights.
Possible legal development
The disclosure of this scheme may lead to the intervention of aviation and consumption regulatory entities in the UK. The legality of the practice will be analyzed in the light of contractual obligations and the rights of passengers.
If EasyJet’s practice is financially advantageous, other low cost companies may adopt similar systems. The impact of this dissemination on passengers and the aviation sector is yet to evaluate.
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