Airport Staff Receive Bonuses for Oversized Bag Detection
Employees at airports are being financially rewarded for identifying passengers carrying luggage that exceeds size limits, according to an internal email.
Staff working for Swissport, a company that manages boarding gates, can earn £1.20 (or £1 after tax) for each oversized bag flagged at seven UK and Channel Island airports, including Birmingham, Glasgow, Jersey, and Newcastle.
The email stated that the payments aim to "recognize employees who follow the correct procedures." It also clarified that "monitoring will help identify areas for additional training but will not penalize staff." The policy was first reported by the Jersey Evening Post.
Additionally, workers employed by DHL Supply Chain at Gatwick, Bristol, and Manchester airports receive small payments for spotting non-compliant easyJet baggage, as reported by the Sunday Times.
Swissport staff earn around £12 per hour. A former Swissport manager, who wished to remain unnamed, told the Sunday Times that enforcing size restrictions is often challenging.
"Dealing with excess baggage is similar to handling fare evaders," they said. "There’s a risk of verbal abuse, especially with groups—like stopping stag party travelers and informing them they’ll have to pay more than their ticket price to check their bags."
EasyJet permits one small bag at no extra cost if it fits under the seat. Larger carry-ons can be stored in overhead compartments for an additional fee starting at £5.99, depending on the flight. However, if a bag is confiscated at the gate, passengers must pay £48 to place it in the hold.
The Swissport policy, introduced in November 2023, remains active, with incentives paid directly to staff.
Swissport stated: "We operate under airline policies to ensure smooth and secure travel. Our priority is maintaining high professional standards across millions of flights annually."
EasyJet noted that ground handling companies oversee employee compensation independently. The airline said: "We ensure consistent application of baggage policies for fairness. Most passengers comply, but non-compliant cases face charges as a last resort."
Another airline, Ryanair, confirmed it does not provide similar incentives.
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