Bell Captain
Thousands of guests check in and out of casino hotels every day. Those who help guests carry their luggage in and out of the hotel are called bellpersons or bellhops. The person who supervises these individuals is called the Bell Captain. Depending on the hotel, the Bell Captain reports to the customer relations manager or the superintendent of services. In some hotels, the Bell Captain also handles the duties of a superintendent of services.
Bell Captains have a number of responsibilities.
They are in charge of the bellhops. When guests arrive at a casino hotel and are given rooms, the Bell Captain assigns a bellperson to escort guests to their rooms, transporting their luggage as well. When guests are ready to depart, they often make a call to the service desk, requesting a bellperson. Bell Captains assign bellpersons to go to guests’ rooms to bring luggage to the checkout area or to transport it to the guests’ vehicles.
Bell Captains may also be responsible for supervising the hotel’s front door staff, the employees who assist arriving and departing guests, open doors, welcome guests, call taxis, and help guests with public transportation needs. Casino hotel guests arrive by car, limo, public transportation, or by chartered or scheduled bus. The Bell Captain is additionally responsible for overseeing the baggage handlers who load, unload, and sort guests’ luggage for movement to and from rooms.
Bell Captains answer questions regarding activities and facilities in the casino and hotel, as well as questions about attractions in the area, and public transportation. Bell Captains must have an understanding of the duties of the bellpersons, door attendants, and baggage handlers. When these employees are busy with guests leaving, arriving, or in need of service, the Bell Captain may be required to step in to perform their duties. Other duties of the Bell Captain may include:
- Scheduling bell persons, door attendants, and baggage handlers
- Handling special requests for guests
- Taking care of guest complaints regarding bellpersons, door people, and baggage handlers.
Bell Captains working in hotel casinos are usually paid an hourly salary. Individuals may earn between USD 7.00 and USD 15.00 per hour or more plus tips. Bell Captains may earn between approximately USD 29,000 and USD 52,000 annually, including tips. Factors affecting earnings include the geographic location, size, and prestige of the casino hotel. Other variables include the experience and responsibilities of the individual. Those working in larger or more prestigious facilities in the gambling capitals usually earn more than their counterparts in other hotels.
Some Bell Captains receive a salary instead of an hourly wage.
Employment prospects are good for Bell Captains in casino hotels. Individuals can find employment wherever casino hotels are located. There usually is one Bell Captain per shift. Because casinos hotels operate 24 hours a day, individuals may work the day shift, swing or evening shift, overnight or graveyard shift. Las Vegas, Reno, Laughlin, Lake Tahoe, Atlantic City, Biloxi, Baton Rouge, New Orleans, and Detroit offer the greatest number of job possibilities. Other employment settings include casinos and casino hotels in other areas of Nevada, Mississippi, New York, Louisiana, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Arizona, and California. Other regions hosting Indian gaming and land-based or riverboat gaming facilities offer additional opportunities. New casinos and casino hotels are constantly under construction. More casinos and casino hotels are also opening every year as areas legalize gambling.
There are a number of ways Bell Captains can advance their careers.
Individuals can find similar jobs in larger or more prestigious hotels, resulting in increased responsibilities and earnings. Bell Captains may also be promoted to other supervisory jobs, including superintendent of services, or customer relations manager. These promotions usually require that the person obtains additional experience.
Education and training requirements vary from job to job. Usually, a high school diploma or its equivalent is required.
However, work experience may be accepted in lieu of education.
Experience requirements, like education, vary for Bell Captains. In many jobs, Bell Captains are promoted from the ranks of bellpersons. To be successful, Bell Captains should be friendly, courteous individuals with excellent customer service and interpersonal skills. Ability to carry heavy baggage is necessary, as is understanding of the service and hospitality industries.
Individuals interested in learning more about careers in this area can contact the human resources departments of casino hotels. Other information may be available from the American Hotel and Lodging Association (AH&LA).
How to do this in 4 steps
1. Get experience as a bellperson in a casino hotel. Management often promotes from within.
2. Stop by human resources departments to inquire about job openings.
3. Jobs are often advertised in the classified sections of newspapers in areas hosting gaming. Look under classifications such as “Casinos,” “Casino Hotels,” “Hotels,” “Bell Captain,” “Casino Hotel Opportunities,” and “Gaming.”
4. Job openings may also be listed on casino and casino hotel Web sites.