{"id":13343,"date":"2024-05-07T13:06:20","date_gmt":"2024-05-07T10:06:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aviation-news.info\/?p=13343"},"modified":"2024-05-07T13:06:20","modified_gmt":"2024-05-07T10:06:20","slug":"passenger-at-seattle-tacoma-international-airport-alleges-of-baggage-porter-scam","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aviation-news.info\/?p=13343","title":{"rendered":"Passenger At Seattle\u2013Tacoma International Airport Alleges Of Baggage Porter Scam"},"content":{"rendered":"

Officials at\u00a0Seattle\u2013Tacoma International Airport (SEA)<\/a>\u00a0are investigating after a traveler was allegedly scammed by a baggage porter on Friday. The passenger, traveling with their two children, says a person who appeared to be an airport staffer,\u00a0\u201cdemanded a $50 fee\u201d<\/em>\u00a0after helping transport their luggage.<\/p>\n

The airport offers baggage porting and assistance for international and domestic travelers, but also says some airlines provide their own porting services. Before helping the traveler with their bags, the scammer reportedly never explained that it was a charged service.<\/p>\n

\u201cHelp provided by SeaTac\u201d<\/h2>\n

A\u00a0Reddit user by the name of momomomoses<\/a>\u00a0recounted their experience in a post on Saturday. The\u00a0luggage<\/a> was transported only about 100 feet before the \u201cemployee\u201d asked them to pay up.<\/p>\n

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Photo:\u00a0RaksyBH \/ Shutterstock<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

The terminal where this occurred and the airline the passenger was flying with is unclear. However, they explained that another person, who was allegedly the manager, became involved.<\/p>\n

According to\u00a0FOX 13 Seattle<\/a>, a SEA spokesperson said that officials are looking into the situation, but no report had been filed by the traveler. While there are luggage porters that work at the airport, they are contracted independently and need to be sponsored with an airline to obtain an airport badge.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs it normal? Anyone encountered this before? The guy didn’t let us know it was a service or some sort, he only asked if we need help,\u201d<\/em>\u00a0the traveler explained.\u00a0\u201cI thought he offered help because we have two toddlers. Now to think of it, he was targeting us because we have toddlers. He probably target people who actually needs help.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

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\u201cNot just in Seattle\u201d<\/h2>\n

SEA has two baggage assistance providers for\u00a0domestic flights<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 Express Baggage Services and Axel Baggage Service. The airport encourages travelers to call them ahead of time if they are looking for luggage porting services. SmarteCartes baggage carts are also available at the international arrival facility and other locations, including parking garages.<\/p>\n

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Photo:\u00a0Seattle-Tacoma International Airport<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\u201cIf someone comes to you and starts helping without your asking then demands money, it’s a scam,\u201d<\/em>\u00a0another Reddit user said in reply to the traveler\u2019s post.\u00a0\u201cVery likely the “manager” is also in on the scam to increase pressure for you to pay. This is not a new scam and it’s not just in Seattle.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

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United Airlines Baggage Agent Accused Of Bribing Passenger For Tip At Newark Liberty International Airport<\/a><\/h5>\n

It is alleged that the employee made the traveler’s bag heavier.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Other users explained that the type of scam has occurred in other destinations around the globe.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is an extremely common scam in other parts of the world,\u201d<\/em>\u00a0one person said.\u00a0\u201cThey actually warned about this on the travel advisory when I went to India because the local police are usually in on it so you have to pay.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Another person said it happened while they were in Europe.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis has never happened to me in Seattle, but several times in various places in Italy people tried to take my bags. NOPE,\u201d<\/em>\u00a0they explained.<\/p>\n

Tips to stay safe<\/h2>\n

Travelers looking for luggage porting services should keep the following in mind, according to SEA:<\/p>\n