I need to make a complaint, but to whom?
08-10-2007, 03:46 PM
#1
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: May 2006
Position: Student Pilot
Posts: 849
I need to make a complaint, but to whom?
Do gate agents' supervisors have supervisors themselves? How would I go about finding out who their supervisor is and how to contact them? Specifically, at Comair.
I had one of those horrible days yesterday... she practically yelled at me in front of a boarding area full of pax and she had no reason to humiliate a fellow airline employee like that - I had been polite, soft spoken and professional to her the entire time. I just walked away because I didn't want to make a scene (even though she already started the scene) and I was in my uniform. It was so humiliating and angering that being of the female species I almost cried. Looking back I wish I had been more assertive in telling her to stop yelling at me because it was completely unwarranted.. but at the moment I was in kind of a shock at what was happening.
I was just going to forget about it... after all I'm not even a paying customer, do I even any right to complain about such treatment? But my roommate (who saw me sulking in my room after I came back to my crashpad because I couldn't catch the ride home) mentioned a good point... this is a reciprocal agreement... someday one of their employees may need a ride from my company... just because none of us are actually paying for the ride doesn't mean we shouldn't be treating each other with common courtesy. The problem isn't with crew members.. from personal experience pilots and FAs are usually really nice to each other.. it's the power tripping TSA and gate agents and their supervisors.
I had one of those horrible days yesterday... she practically yelled at me in front of a boarding area full of pax and she had no reason to humiliate a fellow airline employee like that - I had been polite, soft spoken and professional to her the entire time. I just walked away because I didn't want to make a scene (even though she already started the scene) and I was in my uniform. It was so humiliating and angering that being of the female species I almost cried. Looking back I wish I had been more assertive in telling her to stop yelling at me because it was completely unwarranted.. but at the moment I was in kind of a shock at what was happening.
I was just going to forget about it... after all I'm not even a paying customer, do I even any right to complain about such treatment? But my roommate (who saw me sulking in my room after I came back to my crashpad because I couldn't catch the ride home) mentioned a good point... this is a reciprocal agreement... someday one of their employees may need a ride from my company... just because none of us are actually paying for the ride doesn't mean we shouldn't be treating each other with common courtesy. The problem isn't with crew members.. from personal experience pilots and FAs are usually really nice to each other.. it's the power tripping TSA and gate agents and their supervisors.
08-10-2007, 03:51 PM
#2
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Joined APC: Sep 2006
Position: crj
Posts: 51
I had a similar experience in PHL during one of the ice stroms. The gate supervisor was yelling at me and when I wasn't just sitting there taking it from her, she called the gate manager over to resolve the dispute. So on the Airways side it is agent, gate supervisor, and gate manager. Hopefully this helps. Just don't break down in front of them...
08-10-2007, 03:52 PM
#3
Line Holder
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Posts: 99
Originally Posted by kalyx522
Do gate agents' supervisors have supervisors themselves? How would I go about finding out who their supervisor is and how to contact them? Specifically, at Comair.
I had one of those horrible days yesterday... she practically yelled at me in front of a boarding area full of pax and she had no reason to humiliate a fellow airline employee like that - I had been polite, soft spoken and professional to her the entire time. I just walked away because I didn't want to make a scene (even though she already started the scene) and I was in my uniform. It was so humiliating and angering that being of the female species I almost cried. Looking back I wish I had been more assertive in telling her to stop yelling at me because it was completely unwarranted.. but at the moment I was in kind of a shock at what was happening.
I was just going to forget about it... after all I'm not even a paying customer, do I even any right to complain about such treatment? But my roommate (who saw me sulking in my room after I came back to my crashpad because I couldn't catch the ride home) mentioned a good point... this is a reciprocral agreement... someday one of their employees may need a ride from my company... just because none of us are actually paying for the ride doesn't mean we shouldn't be treating each other with common courtesy. The problem isn't with crew members.. from personal experience pilots and FAs are usually really nice to each other.. it's the power tripping TSA and gate agents and their supervisors.
I had one of those horrible days yesterday... she practically yelled at me in front of a boarding area full of pax and she had no reason to humiliate a fellow airline employee like that - I had been polite, soft spoken and professional to her the entire time. I just walked away because I didn't want to make a scene (even though she already started the scene) and I was in my uniform. It was so humiliating and angering that being of the female species I almost cried. Looking back I wish I had been more assertive in telling her to stop yelling at me because it was completely unwarranted.. but at the moment I was in kind of a shock at what was happening.
I was just going to forget about it... after all I'm not even a paying customer, do I even any right to complain about such treatment? But my roommate (who saw me sulking in my room after I came back to my crashpad because I couldn't catch the ride home) mentioned a good point... this is a reciprocral agreement... someday one of their employees may need a ride from my company... just because none of us are actually paying for the ride doesn't mean we shouldn't be treating each other with common courtesy. The problem isn't with crew members.. from personal experience pilots and FAs are usually really nice to each other.. it's the power tripping TSA and gate agents and their supervisors.
Write down date, time, flt number, the agent, airport and any witnesses and go to your ALPA rep. Document everything. Then go to your CPO office.
Were you working the flight or nonreving?
08-10-2007, 04:07 PM
#6
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2006
Position: Cessna 152 Captain
Posts: 695
Originally Posted by kalyx522
Do gate agents' supervisors have supervisors themselves? How would I go about finding out who their supervisor is and how to contact them? Specifically, at Comair.
I had one of those horrible days yesterday... she practically yelled at me in front of a boarding area full of pax and she had no reason to humiliate a fellow airline employee like that - I had been polite, soft spoken and professional to her the entire time. I just walked away because I didn't want to make a scene (even though she already started the scene) and I was in my uniform. It was so humiliating and angering that being of the female species I almost cried. Looking back I wish I had been more assertive in telling her to stop yelling at me because it was completely unwarranted.. but at the moment I was in kind of a shock at what was happening.
I was just going to forget about it... after all I'm not even a paying customer, do I even any right to complain about such treatment? But my roommate (who saw me sulking in my room after I came back to my crashpad because I couldn't catch the ride home) mentioned a good point... this is a reciprocal agreement... someday one of their employees may need a ride from my company... just because none of us are actually paying for the ride doesn't mean we shouldn't be treating each other with common courtesy. The problem isn't with crew members.. from personal experience pilots and FAs are usually really nice to each other.. it's the power tripping TSA and gate agents and their supervisors.
I had one of those horrible days yesterday... she practically yelled at me in front of a boarding area full of pax and she had no reason to humiliate a fellow airline employee like that - I had been polite, soft spoken and professional to her the entire time. I just walked away because I didn't want to make a scene (even though she already started the scene) and I was in my uniform. It was so humiliating and angering that being of the female species I almost cried. Looking back I wish I had been more assertive in telling her to stop yelling at me because it was completely unwarranted.. but at the moment I was in kind of a shock at what was happening.
I was just going to forget about it... after all I'm not even a paying customer, do I even any right to complain about such treatment? But my roommate (who saw me sulking in my room after I came back to my crashpad because I couldn't catch the ride home) mentioned a good point... this is a reciprocal agreement... someday one of their employees may need a ride from my company... just because none of us are actually paying for the ride doesn't mean we shouldn't be treating each other with common courtesy. The problem isn't with crew members.. from personal experience pilots and FAs are usually really nice to each other.. it's the power tripping TSA and gate agents and their supervisors.
Did this happen at JFK if it did be advised that the Gate Agents are Not COMAIR employees But DELTA.
08-10-2007, 04:58 PM
#8
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Joined APC: Sep 2006
Position: Back in school.
Posts: 580
I just finished reading the original post and I wish to comment on this. If my response seems rash and hurtful I apologize but this is a hot topic for me.
Kalyx....
I would have waited until the pax had boarded the aircraft and then and only then would I spew forth such colorful vernacular that it would make a sailor blush. During my time in college I worked for 9E as a gate agent/ramper/etc. and I cannot say that I have ever been rude or demeaning to any airline employee travelling through my station. That being said I have been in contact with the worst mannered, most ignorant, and simply mean people that work for 9E and other airlines. I have been insulted, made fun of, and even spit upon by my gate agent "colleauges" in this industry. I am furious when I witness a situation similar to yours.... quite simply its bull$h!t.... Now, I can't say that I am a vindictive person but if I do hope that this sort of behavior begins to be reported more often and that action will be taken.
Will anything change? Probably not... it is the same uneducated and ill mannered people who are willing to work for a pitance of a wage.... thus the quality of the employee.
I completely understand how you felt Kalyx..... just remember that what goes around comes around!
Have a great weekend!
Kalyx....
I would have waited until the pax had boarded the aircraft and then and only then would I spew forth such colorful vernacular that it would make a sailor blush. During my time in college I worked for 9E as a gate agent/ramper/etc. and I cannot say that I have ever been rude or demeaning to any airline employee travelling through my station. That being said I have been in contact with the worst mannered, most ignorant, and simply mean people that work for 9E and other airlines. I have been insulted, made fun of, and even spit upon by my gate agent "colleauges" in this industry. I am furious when I witness a situation similar to yours.... quite simply its bull$h!t.... Now, I can't say that I am a vindictive person but if I do hope that this sort of behavior begins to be reported more often and that action will be taken.
Will anything change? Probably not... it is the same uneducated and ill mannered people who are willing to work for a pitance of a wage.... thus the quality of the employee.
I completely understand how you felt Kalyx..... just remember that what goes around comes around!
Have a great weekend!
08-10-2007, 05:16 PM
#9
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Joined APC: Feb 2007
Posts: 127
As always, stay polite and calm and ask for the Captain. Going Captain to Aircrew always helps. If that is not an option, leave the gate area and try for the next flight (hopefully at another gate with a different gate clerk). At my airline we have a jumpseat coordinator, e-mail him or her and let them know what happen. They should resolve the matter. It does not help you at the time, but for someone down the line.
08-10-2007, 05:24 PM
#10
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2006
Position: A320 Captain
Posts: 194
Comair is an ALPA carrier and as such should have a jumpseat rep. I would contact your union jumpseat rep and explain the situation to that person, and have him or her contact the Comair ALPA jumpseat rep with the info. We are all victims of this from time to time, and it is our duty to try our best to make sure the jumpseat is available our fellow crew members who rely on it.
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