Australian baggage handlers who were filmed recklessly mishandling luggage have been stood down after shocking footage emerged online.
Qantas and Swissport Australia immediately launched an “urgent investigation” after the employees were filmed slamming luggage onto a conveyor belt.
The footage, believed to be filmed at Melbourne airport, shows three baggage handlers – who have been stood down pending investigation – throwing, kicking, and slamming passengers’ luggage onto a conveyor belt.
Some bags are thrown down so hard they fall over the other side of the carousel as one man laughs and another lifts a bag above his head and throws it down with force.
Swissport confirmed the men have been stood down as an urgent investigation is underway.
“Swissport trains and manages all staff to handle customer possessions with care and diligence,“ A Swissport spokesman said.
“The actions of staff in the video appear to have contravened those service level standards.
“As a result, the staff in question have been stood down pending an urgent investigation.”
A Qantas spokesman condemned the behaviour, saying it was “clearly not acceptable”.
Qantas contracts Swissport for ground handling at multiple airports.
Social media users were outraged when they saw the confronting footage of the baggage handlers.
“It’s sad, but I honestly don’t expect better from Qantas anymore,” one user wrote.
“Is this like a competition who can destroy luggage the fastest?” another asked.