Each day brings plenty of variety for Bermuda’s skycaps, and that’s the way they like it.

They help passengers unload and transport luggage through the terminal, and give guidance and assistance where needed.

The skycaps are also among the first people that arriving passengers meet. They act as ambassadors for the island, spreading cheerfulness, lending a helping hand, explaining aspects of Bermuda and suggesting things to do and places to go.

And once in a while they even spot a travelling celebrity or two at the airport.

Three of seven skycaps who work for Skyport at LF Wade International Airport spoke with The Royal Gazette about the joys and challenges of doing a job that flies under many people’s radar.

And it turns out that the joys of the job far outweigh any challenges.

“We are the first smile that the passengers see when they come through arrivals,” said Robin Steede, who has been a skycap for six years.

“We try to facilitate their needs, telling them what is on the island.”

In the departures area the skycaps help travellers with their luggage and give directions, and encouraging them to visit Bermuda again.

They also stay alert to anything unusual in the terminal, such as unattended bags.

Quincy Trott, 27, has been a skycap for 3½ years. He is following in the footsteps of his father, who spent most of his life as a skycap.

He said: “No special training is needed to work with skycaps as long as you have knowledge about Bermuda and have a natural flare and charm. For a young Bermudian like myself it is very important to know about my country.

“The best part of the job is meeting new people from all over the world. Sometimes I meet movie stars and other celebrities”.

Among those he has seen at the airport was a Juventus football team player.

Wesley Trott, 57, another of the skycaps, encountered John Boehner, the Speaker of the US House of Representatives, at the airport during the America’s Cup last month.

But while seeing a famous face can be a pleasant surprise, it is the daily interactions helping many of the hundreds of passengers that give the skycaps pleasure and a sense of satisfaction.

Mr Trott, who has been a skycap for “33 years and 10 days”, said the most frequent request from visitors arriving is for a vehicle that can accommodate a family group, has a good driver and has air conditioning.

He became a skycap by chance after a driving ban in the early 1980s left him temporarily restricted to work opportunities in the east end. He hasn’t looked back since.

“When I came here I learnt everything when I was put on the job. You just have to bring the smile,” he said.

While Mr Steede, 56, started working at the airport after being made redundant at KeyTech. He is now a supervisor and said the biggest joy from being a skycap is the daily interactions with people.

“We are ambassadors for Bermuda and we give the visitors knowledge about the island,” he said, mentioning that many returning visitors make a point of looking for the skycaps they have previously met.

“You build a relationship with them. We have some regulars.”

When skycap veteran Mr Trott was asked what is his favourite part of the job, he said just being able to socialise and help people.

He said: “I have been working here for 33 years and the reason I have been working here this long is because I enjoy my job.

“It lights me up. You want to show people a good welcome, so you elevate yourself.”