This morning I had the pleasure of welcoming an old Navy friend returning back to SA on their way from London en-route to Cape Town. Wow I have 2 kids and generally we travel by car and a trailer, to see what my friend came back with was hectic to say the least. He has 3 kids including a 5 and a 2 year old with a 2 week old baby. Man alive I feel for them and everyone that was on the flight with them! They did confess that the flight was not bad and their little noo is so peaceful and content, he slept in my arms for the 45 minutes check in at SAA domestic counter. (No comments on that, that is a whole story on it’s own.)
Let me reflect back to the luggage that needs to be transferred from the new terminal to the Domestic terminal. The commute between the two is streets ahead from where it was a few years ago and generally the airport is looking fantastic! As we wanted the long lost friends and youngsters to all me we were 4 adults and 5 kids and two “trailers” full of luggage, naturally a progression to be supportive and use the local porters was welcomed by all adults in the entourage. Requesting the assistance of two porters neatly dressed in their uniforms was a real blessing and supportive to no end. They helped us navigate the people and the throng of luggage and kids to the domestic terminal.
Yes this story really does have a meaning and I am getting their shortly. As my friend was ready to part with the faithful helpers remuneration was next on the agenda. Being the local and the travel agent I was asked what a going rate would be? He had R20 and I had R40 so I said lets give them that, so they accepted the R60 and off they went sharing the loot. My question is raised in that when my friend asked me and we agreed on an amount he said that a porter assisted them getting their luggage off the carousel, he gave the guy R10 and he said he wanted more. So he gave him another R10, now for 5 minutes work I believe that is good going. No the “porter” huffed and stormed off dissatisfied with his new loot. With this in mind:
- Is there a set fee to pay a porter?
- Is there an expected amount?
- Should the porters have branding on them advertising their rates?
- Income generation and job creation is great however should it not be more marketed?
I tell you why I ask this. Sure enough they do not have this luxury in other various parts of the world. We are grateful in South Africa to have this service and as a parent traveler I am extremely grateful. However would they not get more people / business by advertising their rates? Have a porter desk at the airport similar to the Virgin upper class arrivals counter. With the rates posted there? I believe more people would use the service if they knew the rates upfront and had an idea on what an acceptable rate / tip is? This would eliminate the fears of using the service offered as you want to avoid an argument over rate perhaps? Yes security is an issue and worrying about your luggage is a great concern however lets be reasonable…
Go on porters you are great thank you! Keep up the great work, just guys please be more organized and transparent to the public.
One last point on closing I scanned the ACSA website for more info , so I could follow up and speak to someone that runs this department/ service at the airport. Here is what I found:
