Baggage Porters and Bellhops

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Also known as:  Baggage Porter, Bell Staff, Bellperson, Bellstaff, Hotel Baggage Handler, Luggage Attendant, Redcap, Skycap

ABOUT BAGGAGE PORTER OR BELLHOP CAREERS

VIDEO TRANSCRIPT Expand
When you're rushing to catch a plane or train or heading for a hotel room, you may need the services of baggage porters and bellhops. These service workers make life easier for travelers with luggage. These are jobs that require physical strength. While wheeled luggage carriers may be available at s ...
ome locations, you are often called upon to lift heavy objects.

You also have to be a good communicator, even if the people you're helping don't speak your language. Often, porters and bellhops are guiding travelers as well as handling their bags. The ability to deal with passengers under stress in a courteous manner is important. In fact, how much you're paid for these jobs depends on how quickly and politely you handle your duties.

Tips often make up a large part of the take-home pay. While advanced education is not needed, some employers require a high school diploma or GED certificate. The ability to read and understand directions, labels and timetables is a must.

Porters might need to fill out forms and schedule shipping. Bellhops might be asked to run errands for hotel guests. The work can be hard and not all customers return you courtesy. Most will be grateful for your help, however, and porters and bellhops do best when they take pride in the service they provide.
SNAPSHOT Expand
Handle baggage for travelers at transportation terminals or for guests at hotels or similar establishments.
Leadership
HIGH
Critical decision making
HIGH
Level of responsibilities
HIGH
Job challenge and pressure to meet deadlines
HIGH
Dealing and handling conflict
HIGH
Competition for this position
LOW
Communication with others
HIGH
Work closely with team members, clients etc.
HIGH
Comfort of the work setting
HIGH
Exposure to extreme environmental conditions
LOW
Exposure to job hazards
LOW
Physical demands
HIGH
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DAILY TASKS Expand
Assist physically challenged travelers and other guests with special needs.
Maintain clean lobbies or entrance areas for travelers or guests.
Transport guests about premises and local areas, or arrange for transportation.
Greet incoming guests and escort them to their rooms.
Receive and mark baggage by completing and attaching claim checks.
Supply guests or travelers with directions, travel information, and other information such as available services and points of interest.
Transfer luggage, trunks, and packages to and from rooms, loading areas, vehicles, or transportation terminals, by hand or using baggage carts.
MAIN ACTIVITIES Expand
Handling and Moving Objects Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
Performing General Physical Activities Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Assisting and Caring for Others Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
AREAS OF KNOWLEDGE Expand
Customer and Personal Service Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
English Language Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Public Safety and Security Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
Administration and Management Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Transportation Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
Psychology Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
Sales and Marketing Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
Foreign Language Knowledge of the structure and content of a foreign (non-English) language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar, and pronunciation.
KEY ABILITIES Expand
Oral Comprehension The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Trunk Strength The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without 'giving out' or fatiguing.
Oral Expression The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Static Strength The ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.
Multilimb Coordination The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.
Speech Recognition The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
Problem Sensitivity The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
Extent Flexibility The ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
TOP SKILLS Expand
Service Orientation Actively looking for ways to help people.
Speaking Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Active Listening Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Social Perceptiveness Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Coordination Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Monitoring Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Critical Thinking Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Judgment and Decision Making Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.