Having worked airline customer service and having helped many jumpseaters, my 'professional' opinion on the matter is that its probably not a matter of jealousy or a vendetta against pilots, but just a general lack of professionalism in the customer service world. The job pays a meager hourly wage and anyone who can produce clean peepee can get the job, which obviously opens the door to a lot of people who most definitely do not hold professionalism and courtesy in a high regard.

Of course there are good agents and not so good agents. As for myself, I always made every effort to take care of all jumpseaters (and if I may admit...I probably took better care of the jumpseaters than I did my own paying passengers! ), but you know what? It was a much more rewarding interaction. Ended up being on a first name basis with many of the regulars and knew how the family was doing, etc. It completely baffles me as to why people who work for the same company but in a different department would be so happy to **** on someone from the same team at the drop of a hat. Being an amateur pilot with intentions of finding a way to get paid to do it, I may be a bit biased, but I digress.

But what is a testament to the pilot group is the resolve that you guys have to not stoop down to the level of the butthead agents. I can probably count on one hand the number of jumpseating pilots that I've encountered that were legitimately acting out of line, as compared to the numerous agents. (flight attendants though.....)

Just a general lack of professionalism through out the customer service area. Disappointing.

 

There was a thread sometime ago about 'professionalism' and it was unfortunate to see many, many pilots on here saying that once they are paid as 'professionals' they would ACT like 'professionals'.

If this truly is a common sentiment among pilots then you shouldn't be too surprised to find gate agents acting 'UNprofessional' if they are, as AZFlyer contends. making a meager hourly wage. It would seem that some on here would WANT professionalism from those in different circumstances but don't see the need to act that way at the same time.

That is disappointing as you say AZFlyer.

USMCFLYR

 

Thanks all,

The agent was not rude to me, but seemed to truly believe what she was saying to me. However, she seemed to believe that NAC was not a CASS participant, which we all know is false. I didn't argue with her because I didn't absolutely NEED to get to DFW. Plus arguing never gets anything accomplished. I was just wondering if anybody else had encountered this in the past. Thankfully my schedule is flexible regarding my trip to DFW and I will be taking a less direct route on company aircraft this weekend instead of attempting an offline commute. Hopefully this will cost me few less gray hairs in the long run. Although that is doubtful since it will take a few hours longer to get to destination.

Thanks again for all the input,
FB

 

Seems more like plain being rude than not professional.

 

I rode home on AA today actually for the first time in months. I remember why I do not like riding with them. The agents were indeed rude, as they usually are. I followed procedure, listed myself by calling the number, and waiting a few feet from the podium before being called up.

I got the last seat in coach, a middle seat between someone that had the most horrible halitosis you could ever imagine. And first class was half empty. AA has never upgraded me to first, not even the crews have. I think it's pitiful really. I bend over backwards for everyone, including many AA folks commuting in and out of ORD. I'll always enjoy giving them a free ride, but perhaps I should stick them next to the lav from now on.

What happened to taking care of each other? Jumpseating on DAL is night and day from AA. They are always last on my list of options. But at the end of the day, it is a lift home, so thanks AA for that at least. It was appreciated.

 

I have had both my best and my worst rides on AA.

 

I recently jumpseated on American and they were very nice to me in ORD. But I also was not offered a seat in 1st class which was wide open by either agent or crew. Any seat is a good seat and happy for the ride, but just curious about the non-rev policy at AA. Coach only?

 

USMCFLYR,

There will always be some "rotten apples" in every group but I personally think that many may have stated the above but in reality are the utmost professionals. Every one needs to vent and P and M every once in awhile but it has been my experience over the last 21 years in this business that the vast majority of pilots have a very great sense of professionalism no matter what they are paid.

Denny

 

I have been surrounded by professionals for my entire career so I tend to agree with you; but that was not the sentiment of many on the old thread. I hope that is true but I'd have to take them at their words unless I have something else to compare their actions too. Of course I always look for those young, punky looking regional pilots I hear about so much on this forum and I've not run across any of them either so let's hope it is the few "rotten apples" that are getting all of the attention. I've always been impressed with the crews that I have seen or spoken too.

USMCFLYR

 

All those guys were furloughed a while ago...


I've had mostly good experiences with the AA people, though I stay away from some of the famously bad places... (STL, etc)... They won't put you in first unless everything else is full, or you get a particularly nice one, though... As far as I can tell it's not an "official" policy, but it's the way they do things... I have asked a few times about it and gotten many different answers... (From "We dont put D6's in first", to "You have to ask the flight attendant", to "The computer won't let me")...