A shocking incident at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) has gone viral after a baggage handler was filmed carelessly tossing guitars onto the concrete floor while unloading a luggage cart. The footage, captured by witness Nick Ruiz on March 16, shows the employee in a bright orange high-visibility uniform and hoodie negligently dropping more than a dozen delicate instruments, causing them to topple over one another.
Witness Recounts the Disturbing Scene
Nick Ruiz, a 21-year-old college student from Connecticut, was heading to his terminal when he spotted the baggage handler's actions. 'The whole situation felt wrong,' Ruiz told creatorzine.com, explaining that it was instinctive to start recording. He was flying home from Los Angeles after a short vacation and ended up on the same plane—a JFK to LAX B777 that had just arrived—near where the guitars were being handled.
Viral Outrage and Online Reactions
After Ruiz uploaded the footage to TikTok, it quickly garnered over 4 million views and more than 365,000 likes, with many users expressing shock and anger. One user commented, 'That should be a fireable offense. That's just egregious,' while another speculated on the cost: 'I'd lose my mf mind. That's easily $3,000 of equipment, by the way.' A third added, 'Give this job to someone who actually wants it and will take real care of people's personal items.' Ruiz offered well wishes to the instrument owners, saying, 'I hope your guitars are ok,' but online concern focused on potential consequences for the employee.
Airlines' Policies on Musical Instruments
According to the Department of Transportation (DOT), most airlines have specific policies for instruments outlined in their 'Contract of Carriage.' The DOT notes, 'Some airlines disclaim liability altogether for loss of or damage to musical instruments on domestic trips.' However, on international trips, airlines are usually prohibited by treaty from disclaiming liability for baggage they actually carry. This incident highlights the risks passengers face when transporting valuable items.
Context of LAX as a Major Hub
Los Angeles International Airport is widely considered California's busiest airport, servicing over 5 million passengers monthly, according to Visit California. The high volume of traffic underscores the importance of proper baggage handling procedures to maintain trust and safety. The Daily Mail has reached out to LAX for comment on the incident, but no response has been reported yet.
