A method for unloading a container having packages with a rail device comprising a rail having a hand element displaceable in the longitudinal direction. The hand element has a plurality of finger elements having two flexible flank elements extending jointly from one end to the opposite end of the finger element. Each are connected flexibly to each other via a plurality of webs. The finger elements adjustable from a curved position into an extended position and back. The packages are stacked in the container forming a front face in which the rail device is brought close to the front face of the stacked packages. One hand element grips one package from the stack of packages and removes it from the stack. Following the removal, it is displaced along the rail and following the displacement grips one further package and removes it from the stack of packages.