Tell me your airline staff stories!

[BadPinkTink]

Are you saying overweight luggage in Europe simply not an option because the machine rejects it and there's no manual intervention available? I do understand most people would rather not pay an overweight fee, but if it is a viable option from the airline, I'm just curious what happens in that case. I'm assuming they can just go to the airline desk to pay and check it?

Many of the airlines actively discourage checked luggage on the short haul flights in Europe. The airlines have a base flight price and then things like checked bags are an extra charge. The airlines in Europe have such a short turn around time, that they try to minimize the amount of time they are on the ground. Having a short turn around time means that the airline can increase the amount of flights to and from that airport.

Having flown on Southwest and Delta on American domestic routes, its very different in Europe. I'm always amazed at the amount of luggage Americans have.

Over the last 10 years, Europeans have perfected the art of travelling in Europe with just carry on bags. One time my mum came home from a week away with her retirement club wearing 2 coats and 2 jumpers as she went shopping and didn't have space in her carry on!

There would be a desk people can go to, but very few would do it. Most people would just put things in the trash to get the weight down.

 

[Karin1984]

Are you saying overweight luggage in Europe simply not an option because the machine rejects it and there's no manual intervention available? I do understand most people would rather not pay an overweight fee, but if it is a viable option from the airline, I'm just curious what happens in that case. I'm assuming they can just go to the airline desk to pay and check it?

Yeah, if you would have to pay extra for overweight then you have to go to the desk. I am sure they will improve the machines one day and have you pay for the extra kilos at the machine as well.

My story doesn't start off with me being proud of myself. We were traveling to Orlando from Detroit on Southwest. When we checked into our flight at the kiosk only my ticket came up when I inserted my credit card. We got in a long line and waited over an hour to be helped. When we got our tickets we were adivsed that our seat assignments would be given at the gate. Once we got to our gate (finally) we were told we were bumped because "we were one of the last ones to check in" That didn't settle well for me since we had arrived with plenty of time to spare. I was rude to the agent and not so calmly explained that I wasn't the last to arrive etc. A few minutes later I went up and apologized becasue I have worked customer service most of my life and know it was not the poor ladies fault. I asked her if we would get compensated for getting bumped and she assured me we would be taken care of. We sure were. I can't remember what the exact amount but it was maybe 3 x's the cost of our ticket. Time's the 3 tickets we were bumped for. They actually cut us a check on the spot. They gave us a voucher for food too. We were nervous because there was a snow storm coming in. We made it out that day but it was stressful. The agent at the gate was so nice to us even though I didn't start out with my best behavior. My kids were young at this point probably about 2 and 4 and she went out of her way to talk and have fun with them. Best part is I had paid for my tickets with points. When I got home I found that my points had been refunded too. So we made a lot of money getting bumped! I love Southwest Airlines I have truly never had a bad experience.

That you went back to apologize must have made up for a lot. Who knows what would have happened when you wouldn't. Maybe she wouldn't be as nice.
And it's good to hear good stories about ground staff. While doing my research for my thesis, I came across so many stories about rude staff, that it is really something which needs to be solved.

 

[Wendy1985]

Not airline staff but my contection was tight as it was, my flight was 30 min late I knew at that point I would not make it, so i kindly asked the gate person if my connecting flight could be moved, he saw my destination, given it was so popular he was able to move my flight with ease, but I went up with no expections I was expecting to hear I was out of luck

 

[sdoll]

Yeah, if you would have to pay extra for overweight then you have to go to the desk. I am sure they will improve the machines one day and have you pay for the extra kilos at the machine as well.



That you went back to apologize must have made up for a lot. Who knows what would have happened when you wouldn't. Maybe she wouldn't be as nice.
And it's good to hear good stories about ground staff. While doing my research for my thesis, I came across so many stories about rude staff, that it is really something which needs to be solved.

I am not a fan of being rude. I owed her an appology. I think ground crews get the worst of it. I like to believe that me changing my tune and turning my frown upside down helped the cause.