Airline apologises after baggage handlers filmed playing 'toss the bag'

An airline has apologised after its baggage handlers were filmed throwing around a suitcase at Mineta San Jose International Airport in California.

Passenger Chase Platon filmed the video and uploaded it to Facebook, writing: "Ever wonder what ‪#southwest does with your bags? They see who can toss the furthest..."

See also: Hidden cameras at Miami Airport show baggage handlers stealing from luggage

The baggage handlers were wearing Alaska Airlines uniforms as they tossed the luggage around in a strange game of who could throw it the furthest.

According to New York Daily News, one employee at the Southwest Airlines terminal gate applauded during the contest but the airline told KPIX 5 that its staff were not involved.

See also: Baggage handler causes £5m of damage to BA jet

Platon said the workers were seen throwing the bag for around 30 minutes.

Speaking to NBC Bay Area, he said he informed staff working at the Southwest gate, but "they tried to justify it by saying it may not be a customer bag."

It turned out that the bag did not belong to a passenger and was filled with magazines as part of a game.

Nevertheless, Alaska Airlines released a statement saying: "Regrettably, our employees were tossing a company rollaboard bag that was filled with magazines as part of an employee game.

"No passenger bag was used for this activity. This game should not have been played at the airport. The optics of this video are unfortunate and we apologise for any confusion this has caused San Jose travellers or Southwest Airlines."

Chase updated his Facebook followers, writing: "Alaska now admits it's [sic] their baggage handlers - tossing around a bag filled with newspaper, for fun. Go figure."

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