A message from your friendly neighborhood airport worker

[Mkrop]

Works the other way too. The gate agents can also be nice too and explain things. A couple years ago an Airtran agent announced our flight back to Philly was delayed. The area was packed so we were sitting a little further away and frankly the guy mumbled the announcement. I went to the counter and asked him nicely what he announced, that I could not hear it very well. And he totally snapped at me, he was completely rude and condescending in how he told me about the delay. I really just asked a simple question. Now he may have just got reamed out by someone else before I arrived at the counter but dont take it out on me.

 

[Katieinwonderland]

My family are at Orlando airport right now trying to get back home to England. Their flight to Newark got cancelled, but no problem because their flight out of Newark to England also got cancelled! They've been told to hang out at the airport so they can try to rebook - they've been there since 10AM!

This is the second time this year my parents have gotten stuck in the States for longer than they wanted - they were here for FIVE WEEKS when the volcano erupted around Easter and they couldn't get a flight out.

 

[bicker]

I have never understood why airports were not better equipped to handle crowds.

Where's the profit in that?

 

[bicker]

Works the other way too. The gate agents can also be nice too and explain things.

I think that ignores the natural impact of continual and unrelenting brow-beating by passengers. No normal human would withstand that sort of thing and not be affected to at least some extent. There are some remarkable people who maintain some measure of idealism in light of the tirades they're subjected to. However, remarkable people like that would be idiots to stick with such a low-paying job, with such an abusive work environment. They can and should do better for themselves.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I think that ignores the natural impact of continual and unrelenting brow-beating by passengers. No normal human would withstand that sort of thing and not be affected to at least some extent.

Agreed. Even in the most pleasant tone of voice, "What did you just say?" or "What was that announcement?" can be interpreted as confrontational by an overstressed person. "Excuse me, we're sitting over there and the PA system is staticky; could you please tell me what that last announcement was?" MIGHT get a better response. Might not, too.

I was stuck in RDU once, due to a (surprise) snowstorm in New England. Ours was the very last flight cancelled, so hotel pickings were slim as were rebooking options. The Gate Agent was very happy to deal with me and the family behind me, because everybody else on our flight "HAD" to be on the first flight out in the morning. We all just had to be back some time that next day.

We ended up on a flight with about a dozen passengers, total, because we could wait until 11:30 or so to depart.

 

[BillSears]

If I can drive 10 miles to get to the airport then the plane can drive a quarter mile to get into the air!!!!! Those pilots are wimps!

Just kidding.

 

[C.Ann]

Definitely not the fault of the airline or their employees - and I personally would never do that..

Although I do feel sorry for people stranded all over the place (not just because they were flying), it does no good whatsoever to take that anger out on people who are in no way responsible for it.. Should I be mad at everyone - including Mother Nature/Old Man Winter because the pipes at my place at the lake froze and busted the night before I left? Nope.. That's just "life"..

"Expect the unexpected.."