My job (if I've got time & not making the thermos's) is to help push my bike onto the trailer, then hand over the tie-downs and maybe even tighten them a little.
I've tried loading my bike on my own, but found I need a step to get me onto the trailer, or longer legs or arms. If my husband ever injures himself, I'll have to find a second ramp so I can walk up that. The guys parked a ways away the other week, must have wondered what the hell I was doing, pushing the bike up the ramp, then rolling it back down (just managing to hold it without dropping it). The one bike I can (and have) loaded is the trials bike, the bars aren't as high.
As for the couch story, we'd just bought a new stove, was carrying it inside when I yelled I was about to drop it (of course, dropping it at the same time). oops, boy did I get told off about that one. I felt stink about it, but hey, **** happens ;)