Baggage Porters and Bellhops

Career summary

#4/3/19 lh

Baggage porters

Baggage porters deliver luggage to and from hotel rooms using a hand truck. Porters often set up rooms for conferences and meetings. They escort guests to their rooms when the bellhop is busy.

Porters are in charge of luggage storage rooms. Guests sometimes store their luggage after they check out of their rooms. Porters fill out baggage claim checks and give them to guests. In addition, they assist guests in packaging and shipping parcels.

Porters may also help travelers at:

• Airports
• Train stations
• Bus depots

Porters check luggage in at these locations. They may also help direct travelers to luggage claims and security check points.

Bellhops

Bellhops escort newly-arrived guests to hotel rooms. They assist guests with small luggage. They explain specific features about the room, such as how to operate the television. They provide information about hotel facilities and local points of interest.

In some hotels bellhops deliver messages and room service as well as pick up laundry for cleaning. They call taxicabs and courtesy vans for guests and may park their cars. They may also supply guests with travel information, such as bus routes, schedules, and rates.

Bellhops maintain the security of the hotel. They may visit the rooms of guests who are making too much noise. They watch for thieves and may discourage people who are not guests from loitering around the hotel.

Related careers

This career is part of the Hospitality and Tourism cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

• Buspersons
• Concierges
• Counter Attendants
• Couriers and Messengers
• Hotel Desk Clerks
• Parking Enforcement Officers
• Parking Lot Attendants
• Recreation Attendants
• Shipping and Receiving Clerks
• Stock Clerks
• Transportation Agents
• Ushers and Ticket Takers

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to baggage porters and bellhops.

• Greet and escort arriving hotel guests to their rooms
• Move luggage to and from rooms, loading areas, or transportation terminals.
• Supply guests or travelers with directions, travel information, and other information.
• Maintain clean lobbies and entrance areas.
• Help physically challenged travelers and guests with special needs.
• Inspect guests' rooms and explain features, such as night-lock and operation of television.
• Complete and attach baggage claim checks and complete baggage insurance forms.
• Pick up guests' clothing to be laundered or repaired.
• Deliver messages and room service orders.
• Call cabs or shuttles for guests.
• Set up display tables, racks, or shelves for conferences.
• Work with security teams at transportation terminals and hotels.

Common work activities

Baggage porters and bellhops perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

• Perform for or work with the public
• Handle and move objects
• Operate vehicles or mechanized equipment
• Get information needed to do the job
• Assist and care for others
• Inspect equipment, structures, or materials
• Identify objects, actions, and events
• Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
• Perform activities that use the whole body
• Communicate with people outside the organization
• Make decisions and solve problems
• Establish and maintain relationships
• Control machines and processes
• Schedule work and activities
• Judge the value of objects, services, or people
• Process information
• Document and record information
• Update and use job-related knowledge
• Monitor events, materials, and surroundings
• Organize, plan, and prioritize work
• Coach others
• Develop and build teams
• Teach others
• Provide advice and consultation to others
• Evaluate information against standards
• Convince others to buy goods or change their minds or actions
• Use computers
• Resolve conflicts and negotiate with others
• Coordinate the work and activities of others

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, baggage porters and bellhops:

Interpersonal relationships

• Have a high level of social interaction. They constantly interact with guests and other hotel staff.
• Are sometimes placed in conflict situations in which guests may be rude or angry.
• Communicate with hotel guests everyday by telephone.
• Always work as part of a team that provides service to guests.
• Are somewhat responsible for the health and safety of hotel guests.
• Are somewhat responsible for the work done by other hotel staff.

Physical work conditions

• Always wear uniforms.
• Mostly work outdoors, under a cover.
• Are exposed to hot and cold temperatures depending on the season.
• Are sometimes exposed to loud or distracting sounds.
• Are exposed to automobile exhaust and other environmental pollution everyday.

Work performance

• Must finish all details of the job so that guests are satisfied.
• Must be accurate in their work so that guests receive the right luggage.
• Can set some tasks and goals without consulting a supervisor.
• Meet strict deadlines everyday to make sure people and baggage make their travel connections.
• Rarely consult a supervisor before making a decision.

Hours/travel

• May work part time or full time.
• May work days, evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Typically has a regular work schedule.

Physical demands

Baggage porters and bellhops frequently:

• Stand for long periods of time.
• Walk or run for long periods of time.
• Use their hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.

It is important for baggage porters and bellhops to be able to:

• Use stomach and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without getting tired.
• Use muscles to lift, push, pull, or carry heavy objects.
• Understand the speech of another person.
• Move two or more limbs together (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while remaining in place.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.
• Be physically active for long periods without getting tired or out of breath.
• Bend, stretch, twist, or reach out.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for baggage porters and bellhops to be able to:

• Use one or two hands to grasp, move, or assemble objects.
• Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
• Make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls.
• See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.
• Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.
• Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
• Coordinate movement of several parts of the body, such as arms and legs, while the body is moving.
• Use muscles for extended periods without getting tired.
• Determine the distance between objects.
• Adjust body movements or equipment controls to keep pace with speed changes of moving objects.
• React quickly using hands, fingers, or feet.
• Keep or regain the body's balance or stay upright when in an unstable position.
• Move arms and legs quickly.
• Choose quickly and correctly among various movements when responding to different signals.
• Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them.
• See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
• Determine from which direction a sound came.

Skills and abilities

Baggage porters and bellhops need to:

Communicate

• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Understand spoken information.
• Listen to others and ask questions.

Reason and problem solve

• Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
• Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
• Concentrate and not be distracted while performing a task.

Manage oneself, people, time, and things

• Go back and forth between two or more activities or sources of information without becoming confused.

Work with people

• Look for ways to help people.
• Change behavior in relation to others' actions.

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study to consider

• Hospitality Management

Training

To work as a baggage porter or bellhop, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or equivalent; and
• complete short-term, on-the-job training.

Education after high school

No formal education is required beyond high school. Knowledge of a language other than English can be helpful in hotels that have guests from other countries.

On-the-job training

Baggage porters and bellhops usually receive on-the-job training. In general, training lasts up to one month. On the job, you learn:

• how to greet hotel guests;
• customer service;
• hotel services; and
• hotel policies.

Helpful high school courses

You should take a general high school curriculum that meets the state's graduation requirements. You will be required to take both math and science classes to graduate.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

• Foreign Language
• Hospitality
• Physical Education
• Travel and Tourism

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

Employers prefer applicants who have a high school diploma or equivalent. They may also prefer to hire those who are at least 18 years old. Most employers look for reliable workers who will be courteous with customers.

Job listings

Listed below are links to job categories from the National Labor Exchange that relate to this career. Once you get a list of jobs, you can view information about individual jobs and find out how to apply. If your job search finds too many openings, or if you wish to search for jobs outside of Washington, you will need to refine your search.

• Baggage Porters and Bellhops 

To get a listing of current jobs from the WorkSource system, go to the WorkSource website .

Wages

The minimum wage for Washington State as of January 1, 2020 is $13.50 per hour. Some areas of the state may have a higher minimum wage.

Wages vary by employer and area of the country. In addition, baggage porters and bellhops frequently receive tips from hotel guests. Their actual wages may be higher than the hourly rates suggest.

Baggage porters and bellhops who work full time may receive benefits. Typical benefits include sick leave, paid vacation, and health insurance.

Employment and outlook

Washington outlook

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

National employment

Major employers:

• Hotels and motels
• Airports
• Train stations

National outlook

Demand for this occupation will be strong. The number of people taking business and pleasure trips will continue to grow. However, travelers are also becoming more bargain-conscious. Some may be less likely to stay in hotels that have baggage porters.

Many openings will result from the need to replace current baggage porters who change jobs or leave the occupation. Those who are willing to work evening and night shifts improve their chances of being hired.

Other resources

American Hotel and Lodging Association 
1250 I Street NW, Suite 1100
Washington, DC 20005
202.289.3100

American Hotel and Lodging Educational Institute 
(Certification options in the hospitality industry)

Hospitality Careers Online 

UNITE HERE 
275 - 7th Avenue, 16th Floor
New York, NY 10001
212.265.7000

Washington Hospitality Association 
510 Plum Street SE, Suite 200
Olympia, WA 98501
800.225.7166
360.956.7279

References

Career cluster

• Hospitality and Tourism

Career path

• Realistic (Technical)

O*Net  occupation

• Baggage Porters and Bellhops (39-6011.00) 

O*Net job zone 

• Job Zone 2 - Some preparation needed. Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful in these occupations, but usually is not needed.

DOT occupations

• Baggage Checker (357.477-010) 
• Bellhop (324.677-010) 
• Porter (357.677-010) 
• Porter, Baggage (324.477-010) 

Holland occupational cluster

• Realistic/Conventional/Social

COPSystem

• Service Skilled