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The Baggage Handler job
A great many guests arrive daily at casino hotels. Some come by cars or limos. Others arrive on bus tours or in vans from airport junkets. Baggage Handlers are responsible for loading and unloading guests’ luggage from vehicles. After Baggage Handlers unload guests’ luggage, they bring it into the hotel. Bellhops can then transport the luggage to the correct room. When guests arrive in groups on buses or vans, Baggage Handlers are responsible for sorting the luggage, tagging it with the guests’ names.
In some situations, Baggage Handlers are required to get guests’ room assignments and bring their luggage to the rooms. In other situations, Baggage Handlers just carry luggage into the hotel. Bellhops are then responsible for getting the correct luggage to the proper rooms. Other duties of the Baggage Handler may include:
- Loading baggage back into vehicles
- Transporting trunks, packages, and other baggage to loading areas, using luggage cart or handtruck
Salaries
Baggage Handlers earn an hourly wage ranging from minimum wage up to approximately USD 8.00. Tips can increase their earnings dramatically. Factors affecting earnings include the geographic location, size, and prestige of the casino hotel. Those working in larger or more prestigious facilities usually earn more than their counterparts in other hotels.
Employment prospects for Baggage Handlers in casino hotels are good. Individuals may find employment whereever casino hotels are located. Hotels usually hire a number of Baggage Handlers per shift. Las Vegas, Reno, Laughlin, Lake Tahoe, Atlantic City, Biloxi, Baton Rouge, New Orleans, and Detroit offer the greatest number of job possibilities. Other employment settings include casinos and casino hotels in other areas of Nevada, Mississippi, New York, Louisiana, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Arizona, and California. Other regions hosting Indian gaming and land-based or riverboat gaming facilities offer additional opportunities. New casinos and casino hotels are constantly under construction. More casinos and casino hotels are also opening every year as areas legalize gambling.
Baggage Handlers may be promoted to either doorpersons or bellpersons.
These jobs often provide increased earnings through tips.
Casino hotels prefer applicants to hold a high school diploma or its equivalent. Work experience may be accepted in lieu of education.
This is an entry-level job.
No experience is necessary. Individuals must be able to carry heavy luggage. They should also be friendly, courteous, and personable. Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills are essential.
Individuals who want to know more about careers in this field should contact the human resources departments of casino hotels. Additional information may be available from the American Hotel and Lodging Association (AH&LA).
Do the following
1. Visit the human resources departments in casino hotels and ask about job openings.
2. Jobs are often advertised in the classified sections of newspapers in areas hosting gaming. Look under classifications such as “Casinos,” “Casino Hotels,” “Hotels,” “Hospitality,” “Baggage Handler,” and “Casino Hotel Opportunities.”
3. Most casino hotels have job hotlines that are updated frequently. You can call each casino directly to obtain its job hotline phone number.
4. Look for job fairs in areas hosting casino and casino hotels.