Local

Caught on tape: Baggage handler dropping and kicking luggage

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Channel 9 has obtained video showing a baggage handler at Charlotte Douglas International Airport dropping and kicking people's bags this past weekend.

The baggage handler drops three bags, including one from shoulder height, and kicks one of them.

[LINK: Passenger rights]

Action 9 investigator Jason Stoogenke spoke to Kyle Benjamin, the man who shot the video with his cellphone.

(WEB EXTRA: A baggage handler doesn't handle passengers' luggage with care)

"I was a little taken aback at just the disregard," Benjamin said. "To just drop them rather than trying to sit them down just screamed of disinterest and disregard for everybody else's possessions."

Benjamin and his father own a TV production company and were going to Columbus, Ohio, to shoot video for an IndyCar race.

Benjamin checks expensive gear and said he watched the baggage handler drop his luggage, too.

“Wow, the horror stories are true,” Benjamin said. “They really don't pay attention at all. It was really surprising and shocking."

(WEB EXTRA: Passenger Kyle Benjamin watched as a baggage handler dropped and kicked luggage)

Benjamin estimates about $2,000 in damage.

“Lost a couple hard drives,” Benjamin said. “An external recorder has some problems; the power button doesn't work."

Benjamin said some of the damage is covered by insurance, but he still wanted the American Airlines to know, so he tweeted the video.

Benjamin said American Airlines replied: “Our baggage team strives to take care of all baggage."

Benjamin said American is willing to help him with his claim and sent him the necessary paperwork to fill out.

Stoogenke reached out to American Airlines Monday afternoon and received the following response:

"We apologize to the customer as this is certainly not how we like our employees to take care of baggage. After seeing the video, we addressed the situation directly with the employee."

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation's passenger bill of rights, "If a passenger's bag is damaged because of rough handling, airlines will pay for the repairs or negotiate a settlement to pay the passenger the depreciated value."

It goes on to say, "Airlines aren't allowed to set a limit below $3,500 per passenger for air transportation within the U.S."

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