Southwest Airlines Auctioning Off Old Oakland Baggage Tugs For $750

Published Nov 15, 2026, 2:47 PM EST Experienced ICAO English Language Proficiency Instructor for pilots and ATCOs and conference interpreter who is passionate about facilitating effective communication within aviation-related businesses. Possess a deep understanding of the aviation industry, including aviation regulations, terminology, and industry-specific communication protocols. Has been working at numerous airshows across Europe since 2014. Being an ultralight pilot in her free time, she also promotes safety and efficiency in aviation operations. Based in Italy and Malta Southwest Airlines is auctioning off several electric baggage tugs previously used at Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport (OAK) in California, with starting bids of just $750 per vehicle. The used ground support equipment (GSE), dating back to 2008, has attracted online attention after its unusual auction listing was shared on Reddit. The sale gives aviation enthusiasts and potential buyers a chance to own a piece of airport equipment for far less than a conventional road vehicle. The vehicles were originally designed to transport luggage and other equipment around airport aprons. While they may look like oversized utility carts, these specialized machines play an important role in airlines' daily operations, connecting aircraft with baggage-handling facilities and terminals. Their retirement from Oakland also highlights how airlines and airports periodically dispose of surplus equipment, creating opportunities for buyers outside the aviation industry. Southwest's Former Oakland Baggage Tugs Go Up For Auction Credit: Larry Zhou | Shutterstock According to PEOPLE, Southwest Airlines is offering several of its former baggage tugs through an online auction hosted on GovDeals. The vehicles were previously operated at Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport and are listed as 2008 Charlatte T137 electric baggage tugs. Each has a starting bid of $750, making them a relatively inexpensive proposition for anyone interested in acquiring unusual industrial machinery. These vehicles are slightly larger than ordinary golf carts. Each tug measures approximately 10 feet, 5 inches (3.18 meters) long, 4 feet, 4 inches (1.32 meters) wide, and 4 feet (1.22 meters) tall. According to Charlatte America, the manufacturer, the T137 is a self-propelled, battery-powered electric tow tractor designed for airport ramp and industrial material-handling operations. Rather than carrying passengers, it is designed to move equipment and baggage trailers around airport facilities. Importantly, the $750 figure represents the starting bid, so the final price can be higher. Buyers must also arrange and pay for collection of their successful purchases, and GovDeals requires winning bidders to schedule appointments to remove the equipment themselves. Consequently, prospective buyers must consider transportation, battery condition, maintenance requirements, and replacement-part availability. Southwest also told Simple Flying that it periodically sells surplus equipment as part of its normal management of equipment and assets. Credit: Allora Empire Art | Shutterstock The auction quickly attracted attention beyond the aviation community after a listing was shared in the r/regularcarreviews Reddit community. The original poster joked about finding someone willing to buy one of the vehicles, prompting a lively discussion about possible alternative uses. Some commenters suggested using the tugs as neighborhood transport, while others imagined turning them into parade floats or even organizing an amateur racing competition. One particularly practical suggestion was to use an airport tug to move agricultural equipment around a farm. Others pointed out that electric baggage tractors could potentially serve as unconventional utility vehicles for people with large properties. However, their airport-specific design means prospective owners would need to consider charging requirements, mechanical condition, operating limitations, and whether the vehicles could legally be used on public roads. The Charlatte T137 illustrates the specialized nature of airport ground equipment. Baggage tugs are essential to ramp operations, moving multiple luggage trailers between aircraft and baggage handling areas. Their compact design allows them to maneuver around crowded aprons, while electric propulsion offers a clean alternative to conventional diesel-powered ground support vehicles. For airlines, maintaining a fleet of reliable tugs is essential to keeping aircraft turnaround operations running smoothly. Airlines Regularly Auction Surplus Aviation Equipment Credit: Lucian Coman | Shutterstock The Oakland baggage tug sale is not an isolated example of airlines disposing of their surplus ground support equipment. In September 2024, Southwest Airlines organized a much larger auction through Starman Bros. Auctions, featuring approximately 119 pieces of equipment located at 31 airports across the United States. The inventory included 11 baggage tugs, six pushback tractors, nine ground power units, belt loaders, passenger stairs, heater carts, provisioning trucks, and six forklifts. The inventory also included several ordinary utility vehicles, golf carts, and workshop equipment. Airports and airlines also periodically dispose of other items they no longer need, including old aircraft seats, cabin furniture, office equipment, and miscellaneous airport property. Even lost-and-found departments can generate unusual auction opportunities. A GovDeals listing illustrates this category, offering a collection of purses and bags classified as unclaimed lost-and-found luggage, sold without their contents and without guarantees about their condition or authenticity. These sales can attract buyers interested in second-hand equipment, collectors, resellers, and people looking for unusual bargains. As explored by The Guardian, unclaimed luggage auctions have also become a popular curiosity, with buyers sometimes discovering valuable or unexpected belongings inside abandoned suitcases. Whether it is an electric baggage tug, an aircraft cabin seat, or an unclaimed suitcase, the aviation industry occasionally offers the public an unusual opportunity to acquire items that would otherwise remain within airport operations.