Gate Agent Power Trips
04-07-2013 | 10:39 AM
#41
Da Hudge
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 17,473
Likes: 0
From: Poodle Whisperer
It's easy to rag on the gate agents. I'll agree some of them are horrendous AND rude. However, did you ever stop to think how they're treated by some JSers?
I was a gate agent for a very short time at EWR. I'll never forget this one TOTD who walked up to me and snarled how he was tired, just got off a long flight from (insert international city here) and had better get a JS on this flight to MCO or he was "going to kill somebody."
I was a gate agent for a very short time at EWR. I'll never forget this one TOTD who walked up to me and snarled how he was tired, just got off a long flight from (insert international city here) and had better get a JS on this flight to MCO or he was "going to kill somebody."
Rude jumpseaters are the rarity. Thank you for pointing out someone who was definitely the TOTD and the exception.
04-07-2013 | 10:43 AM
#42
Scary...Scary...
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,607
Likes: 11
From: Rollin' Down tha 405
04-07-2013 | 11:17 AM
#44
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 834
Likes: 0
Thought I'd offer some interesting info I once got from a retired captain. Decades ago, prior to deregulation (though in the jet age); Some major airlines were making very good profits (They didn't have all the deals back then, most payed full fare) Many of the majors purchased hotels and hotel chains with that money. For years, when making a flight reservation they would nearly always ask if you needed lodging. That was because they were also trying to set you up in one of their hotels, unbeknownst to the PAX. This is all leading to the point that they were not operating on a shoestring, as they are today. I was also told by the same captain that they sometimes returned to the gate to pick up late arrivals or those that experienced connecting issues. This was after they were pushed back and spooled. How's that for customer service! Ain't gonna happen today...
Last edited by Yoda2; 04-07-2013 at 11:18 AM. Reason: typo
04-07-2013 | 02:15 PM
#45
Are we there yet??!!
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,010
Likes: 0
Back when I used to j/s to work, there was a certain gate agent that did not like pilots for whatever reason.
When he was working, I always missed the first flight I was trying to get on. Always.
When he wasn't working, I got on the first one.
Amazing how that happened.
The best day was the day I caught him in a lie.
He tried to tell me the aircraft was weight restricted that day. Little did he know I flew the same Boeing aircraft. I wanted to know what the problem was since the aircraft was taking a weight penalty in excess of 50,000 lbs for a 900 mile flight. I got on that one.
04-07-2013 | 02:36 PM
#46
Scary...Scary...
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,607
Likes: 11
From: Rollin' Down tha 405
Doesn't always work especially when the agent is a known douchebag and there are plenty of them.
Back when I used to j/s to work, there was a certain gate agent that did not like pilots for whatever reason.
When he was working, I always missed the first flight I was trying to get on. Always.
When he wasn't working, I got on the first one.
Amazing how that happened.
The best day was the day I caught him in a lie.
He tried to tell me the aircraft was weight restricted that day. Little did he know I flew the same Boeing aircraft. I wanted to know what the problem was since the aircraft was taking a weight penalty in excess of 50,000 lbs for a 900 mile flight. I got on that one.
Back when I used to j/s to work, there was a certain gate agent that did not like pilots for whatever reason.
When he was working, I always missed the first flight I was trying to get on. Always.
When he wasn't working, I got on the first one.
Amazing how that happened.
The best day was the day I caught him in a lie.
He tried to tell me the aircraft was weight restricted that day. Little did he know I flew the same Boeing aircraft. I wanted to know what the problem was since the aircraft was taking a weight penalty in excess of 50,000 lbs for a 900 mile flight. I got on that one.
Haha that's the only place I've experienced less than professional service.
04-07-2013 | 04:00 PM
#47
Can't abide NAI
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 12,078
Likes: 15
From: Douglas Aerospace post production Flight Test & Work Around Engineering bulletin dissembler
It's easy to rag on the gate agents. I'll agree some of them are horrendous AND rude. However, did you ever stop to think how they're treated by some JSers?
I was a gate agent for a very short time at EWR. I'll never forget this one TOTD who walked up to me and snarled how he was tired, just got off a long flight from (insert international city here) and had better get a JS on this flight to MCO or he was "going to kill somebody."
I was a gate agent for a very short time at EWR. I'll never forget this one TOTD who walked up to me and snarled how he was tired, just got off a long flight from (insert international city here) and had better get a JS on this flight to MCO or he was "going to kill somebody."
04-08-2013 | 03:22 AM
#48
Permanent Weekends Off
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 660
Likes: 0
Being a gate agent myself at one time.. I would load a CLT airplane in some random express airport, I would check the gate area before boarding and would ask if their on the non-rev list.. I don't list you on the non-rev list. There is required training the flight crew does so that they are familiar with these procedures. List either online or at the ticket counter before the gate. Also check yourself in, online or the ticket counter, it helps the process. I usually would clear my non-revs at 30 minutes prior no matter what. Checkin ends at 30 and my list is process by 29. If the flight checks in full. I will try to get whomever is at the gate on. I will coordinate with the flight crew to see if it is feasible. Usually they will run the numbers after boarding too if they think they can get them on. If
Word of advice. The gate agents job is fun but stressful. So if you want to make it... Walk my resume into the chief pilots office and I will get you on. If you make my flight late for any reason, don't except a seat on less its booked light. Just be thankful for gate agents, because if you cancel due to something other then weather or maintenance, then you rebook all passengers.
Hope this helps. I'm glad it was a past job though.
Word of advice. The gate agents job is fun but stressful. So if you want to make it... Walk my resume into the chief pilots office and I will get you on. If you make my flight late for any reason, don't except a seat on less its booked light. Just be thankful for gate agents, because if you cancel due to something other then weather or maintenance, then you rebook all passengers.
Hope this helps. I'm glad it was a past job though.
What the hell are you smoking? Required training for flight crews to list?? What a joke!
04-08-2013 | 09:29 AM
#49
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,109
Likes: 0
Only place I've ever shown up to the counter and been told. "Don't even talk to me, you're NOT GETTING ON THIS ****ING PLANE".
Everyone who's even js/nonrevved out of STL knows the person I'm referring to.
04-08-2013 | 02:39 PM
#50
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 351
Likes: 0
That's when you take a peak at their name tag and call your jumpseat coordinator, especially when they're using profanity
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