Worse, baggage handlers and Transportation Security Administration officers have been caught stealing valuables from checked luggage.

WSJ: Oops! I Forgot My iPad on the Plane

It had adhesive on both sides, so bags would stick to conveyor belts or to each other, annoying baggage handlers.

WSJ: To Meet the Biggest Wrap Stars, Stroll Through the Miami Airport

"There're no ticket counters, no terminals and no baggage handlers, " says Crandall, 68, who still chain-smokes his cigarettes down to the filter.

FORBES: A700's Numbers

These can affect cashiers, baggage handlers, meat packers, bakers -- anyone whose job regularly requires heavy lifting, overhead reaching or other repetitive tasks.

CNN: OSHA pushing for new regulations aimed at preventing repetitive motion injuries

Iberia has cancelled more than 400 flights out of 1, 000 scheduled for this week, with cabin crew and baggage handlers staging the walk-out.

BBC: Iberia workers strike over job cuts

The airline posted a loss for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2012, after strikes by pilots, engineers and baggage handlers forced it to temporarily ground its fleet.

WSJ: Qantas Sees Boost From Easing Price War

So the news that dozens of baggage handlers working for the major Italian airline Alitalia have been arrested over alleged theft from passengers' luggage may confirm their worst fears.

CNN: Italian police arrest dozens over Alitalia baggage theft

Republican leaders in the GOP-controlled House have balked over provisions in the bill to make the nation's 28, 000 airport screeners and baggage handlers federal employees, saying the provision would only create more bureaucracy.

CNN: Democrats push for airline security bill