A group of skycaps has won a federal lawsuit against American Airlines.

A federal jury in Boston Monday awarded nine skycaps hundreds of thousands of dollars in back tips.

They sued after American imposed a curbside baggage fee of $2 per bag in September 2005.

Skycaps said it led to fewer passengers leaving gratuities. American said the fee was separate and had nothing to do with tips passengers might want to give.

The case was heard over the last three weeks in Boston’s Federal Court.

On Monday afternoon, after jurors deliberated a little more than a day, a court agreed with the skycaps' argument; awarding nine skycaps more than $325,000 in back tips for the two-and-a-half years the airline's program has been in place.

"Now that we have won, we will be seeking to have it certified as a class action," said Shannon Liss-Riordan, the skycaps' attorney.

Skycaps working for other airlines with similar curbside baggage fees are considering similar lawsuits.

“American Airlines is disappointed by the verdict and the amount awarded,” said American Airlines spokesman Tim Wagner. “Nonetheless, we appreciate the jury’s time and efforts in this case. We are evaluating our options at this time.”