What is a Skycap?
A skycap is a porter who works at an airport, assisting passengers with luggage, wheelchairs, and other special needs. Skycap jobs are generally entry-level, with a low rate of pay and minimal possibility for advancement, and some airlines have done away with skycaps altogether, in the interest of cutting down on costs. Typically, visitors to an airport can identify skycaps by their uniforms, which are often brightly colored or otherwise distinctive so that they stand out. The skycap is the descendant of the redcap, a railway porter. Redcaps were named for their distinctive red hats, which helped them stand out from a crowd so that railway passengers could easily identify them. When commercial airlines became viable, many airlines provided skycap service because people were accustomed to getting assistance from railway porters, and the term “skycap” was coined to describe porters who worked in airports. Most skycaps hang out near the curb, so that they can meet passengers as they arriv
