Gransnet forums

Travel

How to get help putting suitcase on the conveyor belt at airport check-in

(12 Posts)
Fallingstar Sun 23-Aug-26 09:42:19

If you are going away for a considerable time a heavy suitcase is unavoidable but is just for a shorter trip try to pack light.
I have a friend who looks at the weight allowed for a suitcase and makes sure she packs up to that weight, and will pack several pairs of shoes and very many different toiletries and outfits for just a weekend break, her husband despairs.
Am sure you have thought of this but do see how you can cut back even more if you can just in case that helpful burly young man isn’t available to lift your case.
But do try to ask someone to help, my DH is disabled and I have various physical difficulties so we have been impressed at times by the kindness of strangers.
All the best.

CV2020 Sun 23-Aug-26 09:31:13

I use Special Assistance. I go there first before check in and the assistant takes me and my luggage to check in. They lift my case onto scales and then onto the conveyor belt for me. Never had an issue doing this.

Cherrytree59 Sun 23-Aug-26 08:39:10

Apologies OP
I omitted to say that when I booked airport assistance for first time this year. I requested help with suitcase.
My case was lifted off conveyor belt at Madeira airport and on my return journey .

BlueBelle Sun 23-Aug-26 08:26:19

I find most men love being asked to help (brings out their manliness, helping a poor little lady🤣 ) When I pulled a muscle in my shoulder I couldnt comfortably get my incabin suitcase down the stairs so I appealed to the nearest man who not only got it down the stairs but insisted on taking it right out to the tarmac for me When I got in the plane I asked the nearest guy if he could help me get it into the overhead locker and he did and then as we were getting off he dashed up to get it down for me and took it down the stairs although I hadn’t asked for that bit
So find a bloke, look helpless, smile kindly and bingo they ll love showing off their extra strength

Astitchintime Sun 23-Aug-26 08:24:44

luvlyjubly , may I ask how you manage with the suitcase at home and at your destination? I do understand your dilemma at airports as the conveyor/scale is rather high than ground level as it would need to be because of the mechanics. Might you be able to position the case with its long narrow edge against the very front of the conveyor and ‘lever’ it on? Yes, it might take some effort but certainly not as strenuous as lifting the case entirely.

tanith Sun 23-Aug-26 08:14:48

If you carefully read OP you will see Airport assistance is already booked!

Cherrytree59 Sun 23-Aug-26 08:09:56

Book Airport assistance through travel agent or when booking flight online

MT62 Sun 23-Aug-26 07:59:20

If you book a wheelchair, staff should lift your case on to the conveyor belt.
Can you manage to wheel it to the desk?

Aldom Sun 23-Aug-26 07:51:16

Definitely ask a young man.
Twice, on train journeys, when I was much younger, in my sixties, young men have picked up my suitcase and done what was necessary, without being asked.
There are lots of kind people out there. Try not to worry.
Travel safely and enjoy your holiday.

Retread Sun 23-Aug-26 07:30:51

I would do more than 'look hopefully' - I would find a strapping young man and boldly ask him to help me! 😃

And definitely travel light. Enjoy your trip.

Aveline Sun 23-Aug-26 07:26:38

I suppose all you can do is look how hopefully at another passenger as they put their case on the belt. Most people are nice and would want to help. Good luck. I hope you travel light btw!

luvlyjubly Sun 23-Aug-26 07:10:56

I have shoulder issues and lifting a suitcase onto the belt at the airport check in is a problem. I don’t want to trigger shoulder pain that will affect my time away by having pain and swelling. I have a holiday coming up and, once again, I am worried about this issue.

I book special assistance, but they don’t assist with this aspect as you have to go to check in first, and there is no assistance. I contacted Gatwick customer services before my last holiday and they assured me that every special assistance customer is entitled to help with suitcases. They advised me to use the ‘help’ phone on arrival. I tried that, but was told I would have to wait 45 minutes for someone to attend. That would not leave enough time. So I made my own way to check-in. I saw a special assistance check in desk. When I got to the desk the person told me it was now closed and to go to another ‘regular’ desk (I suspect I would not have got help with the case anyway). So off I trundle to another desk. Of course, when I asked for help lifting the case up, the answer was no because she may injure herself and wasn’t insured for that.

What to do? I don’t want to have to get to the airport an hour earlier. Any advice please?