Trip Report By Parents Who Fly Free

[youngblood]

I have only run into one bad agent and she was in CHS. You're going to have bad apples no matter where you go, but then again maybe when she saw me coming with three young kids she immediately thought it was going to be traumatic for her. Needless to say my kids behaved more properly than some the adults on board.

Most of the time I just try to tread lightly and not get in the way. It seems to work for me. I don't have problems with employees. It's the companions that don't understand the "idea" of non revving and get cranky that get to me. (That's exactly why I refuse to give my mother-in-law a buddy pass.)

On the other hand, during the same trip I could have kissed the gate agent in CLT that got me on the last flight. I still think of him and thank him for my sanity to this day.

 

[L1011flyguy]

You're going to have bad apples no matter where you go...

I definitely agree with Youngblood, there are a few bad apples out there and I don't know why they create such a bad name for their entire workgroup. I've had a whole range of experiences while non-reving back in my airline days, and so have my parents and ex. A smile does go a long way, and so does patience.

When I worked at the ticket counter and gates, I always made it a point to help the non-revs out - especially the older parents of employees, those who aren't so savvy at playing the non-rev game. Although sad to know that some bad apples can spoil it for a lot of folks, it was quite gratifying to be thanked profusely by parents who were stranded unexpectedly due to irrops, overbookings and invol reroutes.

I don't know why people don't follow the Golden Rule. I mean, wasn't there even a specific section devoted to a US Airways CS training program that focused on dealing with non-revs???

One more thing ... I was scolded once for not having listed for a flight. And that was only because I didn't make one that closed out too EARLY! I can understand *and expect* and agent to not list you when there are 926 people in line behind you at the counter, but when a flight is booked to 15 of 100-something seats and no one approaches the gate for nearly 10 minutes - why do I have to get turned away?? Not a huge nuisance, but annoying nonetheless. What happened then was this agent was TRAINING a newhire... and she told the newbie CSA, "See how this non-rev didn't list? They can't come to the gate without listing. Make them go to the phone and call Res." Policy (confirmed by a page in our CRS) stated that an agent was NOT to do this - especially if they are not busy attending to revenue customers. Luckily I was able to sign into the computer at that city/station and list myself in a matter of 23.4 seconds. Perhaps that's why the non-revs sometimes experience poor treatment - - maybe it's observed behavior? This situation did not go unreported, and hopefully the agent in question changed her behavior and attitude. She was quite senior, about 20-30 years seniority having worked through 3 or 4 CRS changes. LOL

-L1011flyguy in Miami

 

[Colby]

Gotta tell you, last week me and two other Employees were in CLT for the EMB170 Training. Being the JR man with 23 years, I was appauled at the way the agent treated us. No need for the type of service we recieved. But hey, what goes around comes around.

Hope First of all Im a little Confused as to the EMB170 Training In CLT :blink:




As for the CLT Gate Agent... What can I say...There we go with that
Great Southern Hospitality !!!!!

Im telling ya'll..... Mid West has NICER PEOPLE !!!!!

 

[Phoenix]

Bottom is this: They all know who Non-revs are. We have to be listed and they see that in the computer right away. Also, we are always showing our ID's right off the bat. Many do have attitudes with non-revs, many don't. I do agree with Colby....a smile goes along way. My mother who seldom non-revs has always been treated great. I think she just has that winning personality. Also, I hope that we can all come together again as one. For so long, we have been pitted against one another unfairly. Agents know who we are as non-revs when we walk up. We (F/A) don't always know who they are when they are on board. Even the manifest doesn't tell all. It's time we all cut out our attitudes and 'Do unto others, as we have them do unto us". It works for me.

Yeah the agents know who the non-revs are, but other paying customers usually don't. A paying customer sees how other passengers are treated. Smile at a non-rev and the paying people are happy to expect a smile too. Frown at any passenger (paying or non-rev alike) and the paying customer thinks frowns only cost $200.

I am not here to make excuses for people or make any accusations. US Air folks can often do very well, especially in view of how bad we have been stiffed as an employee group by some real classy businessmen. Unfortunately on this trip US Air and Avis employees presented an attitude of "who cares if you come back" while Enterprise employees could not exhaust themselves of going out of their way to win repeat business.

Customers remember how they were treated and spread the word about it with out reference to how good or bad the employees work conditions are.

 

[Hope777]

EMB170 Fleet Service Training........We get the aircraft next week for Fam trips followed by proving runs.

 

[Atlantic]

Some of our nicest, and most helpfull agents are in PHL. That's right folks! As much as that station is crapped on. The only run in I had,that I can remember, there was a few months ago being a late jumpseat (less than 10 min.) flight closed out. BOS agents are the best, but I deal with them more than any other station, so I know them better.
Come to think of it, we have GREAT people in ALL our stations! Maybe a few need to be taken aside, but for the most part.
I just got off a 4 day today. First night was in SYR. Me and the crew are walking out to get the van. This fellow and his girl or wife are right close behind me. And he's going on and on. "Last time we flew this airline they lost our bags. The way they board is off the wall. I just asked the f/a for a lime with my coke, I know she heard me." And a little more. And I'm just rolling my eyes. Here it comes."THAT'S THE LAST TIME WE ARE FLYING SOUTH WEST". I felt like break dancing!
Don't cut us short. We do alot of things as well, or better than the rest.

 

[Colby]

And I'm just rolling my eyes. Here it comes."THAT'S THE LAST TIME WE ARE FLYING SOUTH WEST". I felt like break dancing!
Don't cut us short. We do alot of things as well, or better than the rest.

Are you sure there weren't some A & E Cameras Hiding somewhere ???



I agree with you.... I really have NEVER had a Bad day Flying U !!!!