Flight attendants are not obligated to lift or stow passenger luggage. Here are the reasons why.
Airline policy
Most airlines have policies that prevent flight attendants from stowing luggage for passengers. This is to protect the flight attendants' health and maintain boundaries regarding responsibility for passengers' belongings. If a flight attendant handles luggage and damages it or causes injury, the airline could face legal issues. To avoid this, passengers are asked to manage their own luggage.
Health and safety risks
Carry-on luggage can be heavy and bulky. Lifting it into overhead compartments can easily cause shoulder, neck, and back injuries for flight attendants or cause luggage to fall and endanger other passengers. Female flight attendants, in particular, are often advised not to handle heavy luggage. Repeatedly lifting luggage throughout the day increases the risk of long-term health problems.
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Passengers should not ask flight attendants to stow their luggage. Photo: Explorer |
Passengers should not ask flight attendants to stow their luggage. Photo: Explorer
Flight attendants have other duties
Flight attendants are responsible for ensuring flight safety, providing safety instructions, handling emergencies, and providing in-flight services. Helping with luggage is not a top priority, especially when there are other passengers who need assistance (children, the elderly, people with disabilities). Assisting with luggage can slow down the boarding process, cause aisle congestion, and distract from important tasks.
Passengers are encouraged to manage their own luggage
Airlines and airports recommend that passengers only bring luggage they can lift and stow themselves. If you are unable to do this, you can ask a traveling companion for help or check your luggage instead of carrying it on.
In some special cases, flight attendants may assist if you are elderly, pregnant, have a disability, or are a child traveling alone. But this is a courtesy, not a requirement, and is done at their discretion.
On Quora, some opinions from people working in the aviation industry also suggest that you can ask a flight attendant, but it's best to ask another passenger. Additionally, there's a general rule that if a passenger can't easily lift their luggage into the overhead bin, it's too large and heavy.
To ensure a smooth boarding process and avoid relying on flight attendants, passengers should pack light and within the limits, ensuring carry-on luggage adheres to the airline's size and weight restrictions (usually 7 to 10 kg).
Tam Anh (according to Seatguru, Quora)
