A video featuring a baggage handler at Los Angeles International Airport aggressively tossing guitar cases onto the tarmac has gained significant attention online, raising concerns about how airlines manage luggage.
According to reports, the footage shows a worker carelessly discarding multiple guitar cases from a luggage cart. College student Nick Lewis, 21, who recorded the incident while passing through Terminal 4 after his flight, expressed his discomfort about what he saw.
“The whole situation felt wrong,” he mentioned, explaining that he began recording out of worry for the instruments.
Gary Leff, a travel expert based in Texas and author of the blog View From the Wing, viewed the video and commented that while the actions captured might seem shocking, they are not particularly surprising based on his experience. He noted that airlines usually condemn such behavior publicly, yet it tends to happen more often than many realize.
“Even when baggage is labeled as ‘fragile,’ it doesn’t always receive the careful handling people might expect,” he explained. He advised airline passengers to think twice about checking in pricey or delicate items, as luggage is often designed to protect what’s inside, but that doesn’t guarantee safety.
The video quickly caught the eye of social media users, many of whom criticized the apparent mishandling of costly equipment. Comments ranged from expressions of disappointment—”Absolutely shameful,” one user noted on TikTok—to thoughts on the effort involved in tossing as opposed to placing the items down gently.
“As a musician, this breaks my heart,” another user commented, reflecting a shared sense of frustration not just over potential financial loss but also the emotional toll it takes.
Yet another user pointed out the worth of the equipment that might have been affected, emphasizing that it’s easily worth thousands of dollars. Many also connected the video to a broader issue, explaining why luggage often arrives damaged after flights.
The U.S. Department of Transportation states that airlines must accept musical instruments as either checked baggage or carry-on items based on their size and available space. For larger items that do not fit in overhead bins, some airlines permit passengers to buy an extra seat for them.
Travelers are advised to label their instrument cases as “fragile,” even if they come in cases specifically shaped for musical items. In light of this incident, Fox News Digital has reached out for comments from Los Angeles International Airport.
