Appeals court rules against Logan skycaps in suit over tips

A federal appeals court today overturned a verdict that would have awarded skycaps at American the $2-per-bag fee American started charging for curbside service in 2005.

A jury agreed with skycaps that their tips fell precipitously because passengers thought the fee was a mandatory "tip" and that they didn't have to give skycaps anything extra. American noted the airline put up signs that the fee was a fee, not a gratuity. The court agreed:

It is argued to us that American's conduct is no different than if the airline put out a jar labeled "tips" at the skycap counter and then appropriated the money dropped inside. American, however, did not tell customers that they were paying $2 per bag as a tip to skycaps; it said on posters identifying American Airlines as the patron that this was a charge for curbside baggage service, adding (when prompted) that a "gratuity" was not included. Whether or not some passengers ignored the sign, property theft was not involved.

• Complete ruling