Plastic-wrapped bags have gained popularity among travellers in recent times, as they provide an additional layer of protection for luggage while in transit. However, while these bags may be useful in safeguarding luggage, they can cause significant disruptions in the baggage handling process.
Baggage handling is a crucial aspect of air travel, and it is imperative to ensure that luggage is conveyed securely and effectively from check-in to the ultimate destination. Nevertheless, there are certain predicaments that can emerge during the handling process, which can result in delays and inconveniences for travellers. One such issue is caused by plastic-wrapped baggage, which can cling to tilt-tray sorting systems and bring the entire system to a halt.
Plastic-wrapped bags have gained popularity among travellers in recent times, as they provide an additional layer of protection for luggage while in transit. However, while these bags may be useful in safeguarding luggage, they can cause significant disruptions in the baggage handling process.
Tilt-tray sorting systems are a common feature of airport terminals for transporting luggage between different sections of the terminal. These systems utilise a series of trays that tilt and slide to convey luggage from one location to another. However, when plastic-wrapped bags are placed on these trays, they can get stuck, causing the system to stop.
In such scenarios, airport personnel must extract the bags from the trays manually, which can result in significant delays and obstruct the baggage handling process. This can lead to missed flights, misplaced luggage, and other inconveniences for travellers.
Besides the delays and disturbances caused by plastic-wrapped bags, they can also pose a safety risk to airport staff. When the bags become trapped, staff must extract them by hand, which can result in strains, sprains, and other physical injuries.
Many airports have recognised the need to train ground handling personnel in the proper handling of plastic-wrapped bags. They can either place the bags manually onto the tray (if they fit) or induct the bags on the out-of-gauge/oversized bag handling line. Round-shaped items should be exclusively handled through the oversize lines, and plastic-wrapped trolley bags should be allowed in the sorter only if they are loaded through tubs.
Signboards must be installed at the loading points to indicate the types of baggage that are permitted in the system and those that are not. Regular training sessions should also be conducted for check-in and ground handlers on the conveyable and non-conveyable baggage. This training must be ongoing and held at least once a year and more frequently, as staff turnover demands. In addition to these measures, airports can also invest in equipment upgrades to prevent bags from becoming stuck in the tilt-tray sorters. For example, some airports have installed anti-stick surfaces on the trays to prevent bags from getting entangled.
Many experts believe that the ICS (Individual Carrier System) is a superior baggage handling system to tilt-tray sorters for several reasons. ICS operates more efficiently by using a continuous loop of individual carriers and has a lower risk of bag jams due to the carriers moving independently. Thus, an ICS system can handle a larger volume of baggage than a tilt tray system. Tilt tray systems, on the other hand, typically move bags in larger groups, which can slow down the process.
ICS systems also offer greater flexibility in handling different types of baggage. With an ICS system, bags of varying sizes and shapes can be accommodated by adjusting the size and configuration of the carriers. Tilt tray systems often struggle to handle irregularly shaped or oversized bags.
Overall, an ICS baggage handling system is a more efficient, reliable, and versatile option for airports than a tilt tray system. ICS also offers more precise tracking and tracing of bags with a unique ID, leading to reduced risk of lost baggage. It is more flexible as bags can be rerouted based on real-time data.
To sum up, the problem of downtimes caused by plastic-wrapped bags in baggage handling systems can be overcome. Regular training for check-in and ground handlers can help address the issue, but it may be worth considering an ICS baggage handling system as the most effective solution in the long run.
