Skycap
Encyclopedia
A skycap is a porter
employed by an airport
and provides the following service to airline passengers:
The skycap is the descendant of the redcap, a railway porter. Redcaps were named for their distinctive red hats, which helped them stand out from a crowd so that railway passengers could easily identify them. When commercial airlines became viable, many airlines provided skycap service because people were accustomed to getting assistance from railway porters, and the term “skycap” was coined to describe porters who worked in airports.
Most skycaps hang out near the curb, so that they can meet passengers as they arrive with especially heavy luggage. Most skycaps have access to luggage carts for moving luggage around, and they may also assist with wheelchairs, strollers, and oversized items. Most skycaps also perform curbside check-ins for flights, allowing passengers to skip the lines at the airline's counter, help unload luggage from cars and taxis, and they also answer questions from passengers and family members.
By tradition, skycaps are tipped for their services. Generally tips are offered per piece of luggage; in the United States, tips of $1-2 US per bag are common, with higher tips being offered for extra services such as checking overweight bags or getting passengers in front of long lines. Skycaps are found a major or international airports in Canada. Rates average at $10 flat rate for 3 pieces of baggage and $2 per additional items.
Porter (carrier)
A porter, also called a bearer, is a person who shifts objects for others.-Historical meaning:Human adaptability and flexibility early led to the use of humans for shifting gear...
employed by an airport
Airport
An airport is a location where aircraft such as fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and blimps take off and land. Aircraft may be stored or maintained at an airport...
and provides the following service to airline passengers:
- Handles luggageLuggageBaggage is any number of bags, cases and containers which hold a traveller's articles during transit.Luggage is more or less the same concept as "baggage", but is normally used in relation to the personal luggage of a specific person or persons Baggage is any number of bags, cases and containers...
- Perform curb side check-inCheck-inCheck-in is the process of announcing your arrival at a hotel, airport, sea port or social network service.-Airlines and airports :Check-in desks are found in the majority of commercial airports. Their main function is to take in luggage that passengers wish to, or are required to, place within the...
- Works for tipTipA tip is an extra payment made to certain service sector workers in addition to the advertised price of the transaction. Such payments and their size are a matter of social custom. Tipping varies among cultures and by service industry...
s
The skycap is the descendant of the redcap, a railway porter. Redcaps were named for their distinctive red hats, which helped them stand out from a crowd so that railway passengers could easily identify them. When commercial airlines became viable, many airlines provided skycap service because people were accustomed to getting assistance from railway porters, and the term “skycap” was coined to describe porters who worked in airports.
Most skycaps hang out near the curb, so that they can meet passengers as they arrive with especially heavy luggage. Most skycaps have access to luggage carts for moving luggage around, and they may also assist with wheelchairs, strollers, and oversized items. Most skycaps also perform curbside check-ins for flights, allowing passengers to skip the lines at the airline's counter, help unload luggage from cars and taxis, and they also answer questions from passengers and family members.
By tradition, skycaps are tipped for their services. Generally tips are offered per piece of luggage; in the United States, tips of $1-2 US per bag are common, with higher tips being offered for extra services such as checking overweight bags or getting passengers in front of long lines. Skycaps are found a major or international airports in Canada. Rates average at $10 flat rate for 3 pieces of baggage and $2 per additional items.