Baggage Porters and Bellhops

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

See all Hospitality and Tourism Careers.

ABOUT BAGGAGE PORTER OR BELLHOP CAREERS

Video transcript

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 some 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

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	LOW
Dealing and handling conflict	LOW

Competition for this position	LOW
Communication with others	LOW
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	LOW

Daily tasks

Maintain clean lobbies or entrance areas for travelers or guests.

Pick up and return items for laundry and valet service.

Assist physically challenged travelers and other guests with special needs.

Transfer luggage, trunks, and packages to and from rooms, loading areas, vehicles, or transportation terminals, by hand or using baggage carts.

Transport guests about premises and local areas, or arrange for transportation.

Supply guests or travelers with directions, travel information, and other information, such as available services and points of interest.

Deliver messages and room service orders, and run errands for guests.

Receive and mark baggage by completing and attaching claim checks.

Explain the operation of room features, such as locks, ventilation systems, and televisions.

Greet incoming guests and escort them to their rooms.

MAIN ACTIVITIES

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.
Handling and Moving Objects	Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment	Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.

Getting Information	Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Assisting and Caring for Others	Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.

Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material	Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events	Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates	Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

AREAS OF KNOWLEDGE

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.

Transportation	Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.

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.

Education and Training	Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

Computers and Electronics	Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

Telecommunications	Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.

TOP SKILLS

Service Orientation	Actively looking for ways to help people.
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.
Speaking	Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Coordination	Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

Critical Thinking	Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Social Perceptiveness	Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

Complex Problem Solving	Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Monitoring	Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.