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[Hank Chinaski]

Originally posted by Mister_Ruysbroeck
Not sure I completely agree with you. I travel a LOT (gold status, baby) and have generally found that airline employees treat you how you treat them. If you smile and say hello, etc., they will usually bend over backwards for you. Yes, occassionally one of them is having a bad day and you need to slap them around a bit, but that has been the exception to the rule, in my experience.

This actually might be a good poll: what's the rudest thing you've ever seen done or done yourself to an airline employee or, conversely, the rudest thing you've seen an airline employee do to a customer.

I'll start.

So, I get done with a mediation early and I head to the airport in an attempt to get on an earlier flight. In front of me there was a woman who was trying to get on the same flight I wanted to get on, but it was very full. The ticketing agent told her that should could, indeed, get on the flight, but she would have to be ticketed for coach and be on standby for first class.

From the woman's reaction, you'd think the agent just told her she was fat, ugly AND stupid (Hi ltl!). Apparently, this women paid for a first class ticket and, to quote, "would NEVER sit in coach." It was "completely unacceptable." And this was not a rude fat, either. She was actually pretty hot, until you uncovered the very ugly sense of entitlement.

After much screaming (seriously, she was yelling so loud the entire airport had to hear it) about how she paid for a first class fare and deserved to sit in first class and there was no way she could bear sitting in coach (with all the proles, I guess), the agent finally got her to calm down. He carefully explained to her that first class was full, that everyone who had a booked ticket in first class had also paid for their seats, that many of them paid more than she did, and that when you switch flights, you are not guaranteed the same class/fare code as the seat you originally booked. He told her that if she really felt that strongly about it, she could just wait three hours and use her original ticket and fly first class.

She finally relented and took the coach ticket after he said they would give her the first class meal and drink service. Funny thing is, the agent didn't even put her in an exit row, though I know some were available. Probably b/c he was so fed up with her.

When I got to the counter I laughed and made a comment along the lines of "some people." We chuckled. I then asked to be put on the exact same flight as the woman in front of me and asked him if it wouldn't be too much trouble, I'd also like to be put on the standby list for first class. He said: "No problem. You've been such a good customer for us, MR, that I'll put you at the top of the list." He asked me if I wanted an exit row aisle and I accepted.

When I got to the gate, they gave me my boarding pass for first class, while the bitch sat toward the back of the plane in coach.

I hope she enjoyed her chicken breast and pinot gris while slumming with all the proles. I'm sure the smell from the bathroom complimented the whine's bouquet quite nicely.

She should have paid with blowjobs?


I don't travel as much lately, but my goal is to avoid the ticket counter at all costs. I have an East coast and a West Coast travel agent to maximize office hours. When I see I can make it I have them switch. 95% of the time I fly, its on NW. I use the Worldclub ticket counter for any changes at airport. One cancelled flight fixed in 5 minutes at the Worldclub ticket agent (as opposed to the hour wait at the prole counter) makes the Club fee worthwhile. Honest its not the free booze. (trivia worldclub in Seoul has Jameson's)




The only time I've been stuck was when flights were cancelled at 8PM in Charlotte NC (no club)