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

(7 Posts)
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?

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!

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.

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.

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?

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

Book Airport assistance through travel agent or when booking flight online

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

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