Dont call me Shirley
Veteran
- Joined
- Aug 20, 2002
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700UW said:Kennedy said he was stopped at airports in Washington, D.C., and Boston three times in March. Airline agents told him he would not be sold a ticket because his name was on a list.
When he asked the agent why, he was told, "We can't tell you."
Each time, a supervisor recognized Kennedy and got him on the flight.
[post="171387"][/post]
The AP continues the misleading point in that was in the Wash Post story. Sen Kennedy is a very frequent customer and everyone at UAIR at DCA (not to mention just about everyone in the District whether or not affiliated with UAIR) recognizes him. The problem is that most agents do not have the computer access to overide the no fly list. Nor can they override the system when CAPPS picks someone for SSSS. (With a very few, very narrow exceptions that I will not discuss here). I actually spoke one of staf involved in one of these incidents and can assure you that everyone was highly embarrased. And I resent sloppy reporting making UAIR staff look like morons. (Hey some of us don't need the press for that 😛 )
Does anyone think a customer service agent enjoys handing an 85 year old grandmother an SSSS'ed BP? Knowing that she will have to take off her orthopaedic shoes and having her support stockings handwanded. Do you know how foolish it feels to hand an SSSS'ed BP to a United 1K flyer who is taking a US flight?
Is true that when an agent gets a possible name match response (which locks out the BP), the agent is not allowed to say why. And that may very well make them look stupid.