Rude gate agent while commuting
04-21-2018, 06:42 AM
#12
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Aug 2015
Posts: 327
Originally Posted by DiveAndDrive
Hello all. Had a very early show this AM. So I’m probably being a little prissy. But I am wondering if some of my frustration is warranted.
Let me preface this. I know I choose to commute, and I also know JS’ing is a privilege. I also work for a 135 operation, so I KNOW I am blessed to have CASS abilities. Lastly, I’ve been in the industry in some capacity or another for almost 5 years. I know some gate agents can be just be difficult.
Any way, I was trying to JS home after a 3 week stint away. I was going between two class bravos, is all I’ll say, so you can safely assume there are several options.
Option 1, on legacy’s regional 1 is where the problem happened. I walked up to the gate agent and asked if she could list me for the jumpseat. Her immediate, indifferent response was “We already have a jumpseater, we have another one standing by, and were completely full. You’re not getting on”. I was frustrated, but I remained polite and professional. I replied with “If it’s okay with you, I’d still like to try just in case someone no shows. I have to wait here until I get on a flight anyway, so I might as well give it a try. Can you please list me?” (Note... I was actually already listed, I just needed to be checked in). She huffed, rolled her eyes, and asked me for my information. I gave it to her, and she checked me in. This all happened approximately 45 minutes prior to departure. They started boarding like 30 early. Boarding went quickly and the plane was completely boarded well before 10 prior. They were missing one passenger, so I literally stood by. At 10 prior, they gave me the valet tags, but no boarding pass. The pax showed up at 9 prior and the gate agent looks at me, shrugs, says “we’re full” and then rushed her and the pax on board and shut the door in my face. A co worker of mine was hanging out with me before his showtime, and he saw everything. He also said he’s had problems with that agent in the past.
Again, I’m not expecting the red carpet treatment. At all. I mean. You can literally throw me in the cargo bin as long as it gets me to/from work. And I am tired, so maybe my personality is just off. But I was taken a little aback. I ended up getting on legacy carrier 2, an hour later, so I’m just glad to be home. But I am curious... if you were me, would you have talked to her supervisor about her demeanor and actions?
Let me preface this. I know I choose to commute, and I also know JS’ing is a privilege. I also work for a 135 operation, so I KNOW I am blessed to have CASS abilities. Lastly, I’ve been in the industry in some capacity or another for almost 5 years. I know some gate agents can be just be difficult.
Any way, I was trying to JS home after a 3 week stint away. I was going between two class bravos, is all I’ll say, so you can safely assume there are several options.
Option 1, on legacy’s regional 1 is where the problem happened. I walked up to the gate agent and asked if she could list me for the jumpseat. Her immediate, indifferent response was “We already have a jumpseater, we have another one standing by, and were completely full. You’re not getting on”. I was frustrated, but I remained polite and professional. I replied with “If it’s okay with you, I’d still like to try just in case someone no shows. I have to wait here until I get on a flight anyway, so I might as well give it a try. Can you please list me?” (Note... I was actually already listed, I just needed to be checked in). She huffed, rolled her eyes, and asked me for my information. I gave it to her, and she checked me in. This all happened approximately 45 minutes prior to departure. They started boarding like 30 early. Boarding went quickly and the plane was completely boarded well before 10 prior. They were missing one passenger, so I literally stood by. At 10 prior, they gave me the valet tags, but no boarding pass. The pax showed up at 9 prior and the gate agent looks at me, shrugs, says “we’re full” and then rushed her and the pax on board and shut the door in my face. A co worker of mine was hanging out with me before his showtime, and he saw everything. He also said he’s had problems with that agent in the past.
Again, I’m not expecting the red carpet treatment. At all. I mean. You can literally throw me in the cargo bin as long as it gets me to/from work. And I am tired, so maybe my personality is just off. But I was taken a little aback. I ended up getting on legacy carrier 2, an hour later, so I’m just glad to be home. But I am curious... if you were me, would you have talked to her supervisor about her demeanor and actions?
04-21-2018, 06:59 AM
#14
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Oct 2016
Posts: 354
Man, the reading comprehension of some people here really sucks. I don't think OP is ****ed that a revenue pax got on board, I think he's ****ed because the gate agents can act like dicks, which they do.
Sorry that happened OP. Welcome to jumpseating/commuting and the suck that it is. You can talk to your jumpseat committee about the agent but I doubt anything will happen. In the future, if you're listed, don't ask them to list you, tell them to check you in. I've made commutes where I was 15 deep on the standby list, and a combo of pax/commuters didn't show up, which got me on.
From your venting it sounds like it was ORD/AA. I used to do that commute often and while most of the agents were good, many were absolutely terrible.
I would literally work a flight into the gate, see the agent while I'm getting out of the cockpit, then go up to the podium and try to commute out on the plane I just flew in, and when I talked to the agent about it their attitude immediately 180's and they act like I'm hitting them up for money or something. I've missed commutes because agents argue with me about listing. I've witnessed a friend miss his commute, with time to spare and empty seats because an agent wouldn't list him and said "It's not my problem that you commute". Even if it's your own metal it can be a huge PITA with these agents. Some act like they have to write a book in order to list you on the flight, where in reality it takes them less than 3 minutes to punch in your information.
Sorry that happened OP. Welcome to jumpseating/commuting and the suck that it is. You can talk to your jumpseat committee about the agent but I doubt anything will happen. In the future, if you're listed, don't ask them to list you, tell them to check you in. I've made commutes where I was 15 deep on the standby list, and a combo of pax/commuters didn't show up, which got me on.
From your venting it sounds like it was ORD/AA. I used to do that commute often and while most of the agents were good, many were absolutely terrible.
I would literally work a flight into the gate, see the agent while I'm getting out of the cockpit, then go up to the podium and try to commute out on the plane I just flew in, and when I talked to the agent about it their attitude immediately 180's and they act like I'm hitting them up for money or something. I've missed commutes because agents argue with me about listing. I've witnessed a friend miss his commute, with time to spare and empty seats because an agent wouldn't list him and said "It's not my problem that you commute". Even if it's your own metal it can be a huge PITA with these agents. Some act like they have to write a book in order to list you on the flight, where in reality it takes them less than 3 minutes to punch in your information.
04-21-2018, 07:19 AM
#16
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2006
Position: 767A (Ret)
Posts: 6,248
Originally Posted by Quarryman
Now had he brought a box of chocolates or Chick-fil-A for the gate agent and the rampers he might have gotten an edge over the other non revvers
04-21-2018, 07:37 AM
#18
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Oct 2008
Position: JAFO- First Observer
Posts: 997
Imagine yourself in that gate agent’s shoes, dealing with people issues all day long. Perhaps you caught her on a “bad day”. Most of them are contract employees anyway, making WAY less money than they should. Be Humble, thankful and kind. It is amazing how that can have a positive impact down the road, when you least expect it.
04-21-2018, 07:38 AM
#19
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2007
Position: 767 Captain
Posts: 3,988
You guys are being way too polite on this one
Originally Posted by DiveAndDrive
But I am curious... if you were me, would you have talked to her supervisor about her demeanor and actions?
Maybe you can paint us a picture of how you think the whole thing should have gone down. Other than "huffing" and eye-rolling...
what's the problem?The aircraft was full, there was already a jumpseater and you didn't get on. Was she wrong? Sounds like she had some pretty good SA on the situation.
But, you wanted to wait - I get that. Did she check you in? Sure did. Don't see a big problem yet.
Did she forget about you? Nope - one pax no-show and you're getting valet tags. But...... 9 minutes prior and the pax shows. Should they have gotten legalistic with a paying passenger and told them a jumpseater is getting their seat because they're late? Again, still not seeing a problem.
"shrugs, says “we’re full” and then rushed her and the pax on board and shut the door in my face."
So.. what? She didn't show the appropriate amount of angst and sorrow for your situation? Did you need a hug? Yes, she rushed because it was time to get the last pax on and close the aircraft door. Closed the door in your face????? What should she have done? Left it open while she went down the jet bridge? Never seen a gate agent leave an open jet bridge door unattended. Should she have taken you down so you could visually confirm a full aircraft and maybe let you wave good bye to the jet during push back?
Being a snowflake has just GOT to suck. So much meanness in the world - give your mom a call...she'll understand.
04-21-2018, 09:29 AM
#20
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jan 2007
Posts: 692
I for one have been very vocal on these forums about not commuting if at all possible for good reason. People get on here and say that it is a great fringe benefit of the career. It’s not. The gate agents are under an immense amount of pressure for the flight to push on time. They will do almost anything to avoid something causing a delay including dealing with jumpseaters. I know there’s an agreement in place but the reality is they don’t owe you the free flight. That said if you’re going to commute Southwest would be my number one choice based on past experience. I can’t remember ever once having a problem with them and they went out of their way multiple times to help. JetBlue and surprisingly Spirit would come in second. Most of the horror stories you hear about involve mainline which is who all the regionals work for.
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