Daleaholic From United Kingdom (England), joined Oct 2005, 2918 posts, RR: 19 Reply 1, posted (3 years 1 month 1 week 2 days 15 hours ago) and read 1543 times:
Luckily it hasn't happened to me, but I have seen it happen and it does get me thinking. The check in agent should ideally pay attention to the customer who was stood there first.
Religion is an illusion of childhood... Outgrown under proper education.
Falstaff From United States, joined Jun 2006, 3681 posts, RR: 27 Reply 2, posted (3 years 1 month 1 week 2 days 15 hours ago) and read 1458 times:
I have seen this happen all the time and not just at the airport either. Happened to me last week at the Secretary of State's office, while I was waiting to do a title transfer.
ASWISSinMAD From Spain, joined Sep 2005, 131 posts, RR: 2 Reply 3, posted (3 years 1 month 1 week 2 days 15 hours ago) and read 1422 times:
It happens to me all the time (I'm a ticket agent). I used to be more patient, but after seeing so many passengers abusing us with the "quick question" trick i now tell them politely but firmly to go to the back of the queue.
Normally they don't show a happy face but since the "quick question" is usually unrelated to my airline (where's the bathroom? Delta? Bar? How do I dial for xxx etc....) they tend not to bother waiting and go ask elsewhere.
I hate to be cut off in the middle of a conversation with a passenger or while trying to concentrate on a difficult international re-routing. I think it's rude and some of them are lucky I am not bad mannered!
PanAm747 From United States, joined Feb 2004, 4242 posts, RR: 11 Reply 5, posted (3 years 1 month 1 week 2 days 14 hours ago) and read 1208 times:
NEVER should anyone interrupt a ticket agent checking someone in unless it is a life threatening emergency.
With TSA enforcing a strict limit on minimum check-in times, even one minute late can prevent a person from checking in.
If you have a question about something relating to the airline or flights, go find a different employee.
If you have a question about where the McDonald's or restrooms are, look for the signs.
If I have been in line for half an hour waiting to check in and then I get delayed further by Joe McSlob wanting a full and complete explanation why his Aunt Sally's plane is delayed, then you're damn right I'm going to tell that person to get lost!!
Pan Am:The World's Most Experienced Airline - P(oor) S(ailor's) A(irline): San Diego's Hometown Airline-Catch Our Smile!
Lincoln From United States, joined Nov 2004, 3760 posts, RR: 15 Reply 6, posted (3 years 1 month 1 week 2 days 14 hours ago) and read 1133 times:
Quoting PanAm747 (Reply 5): NEVER should anyone interrupt a ticket agent checking someone in unless it is a life threatening emergency.
I'll go one further-- never should anyone interupt any "customer service" interation unless it's a life threatening emergency. It's just plain rude and contemptuous ("I'm better than you are, so even though you waited in line for [probably] and equally quick question/problem, I'll just barge in front of you").
I've not had it happen to me but if it did, depending on my mood that day I would likely
(a) Glare at the person (and at the agent who decided that I wasn't important as a customer).
(b) Tell the person where they can locate the end of the line
(c) If the agent actually answered the person's question (and it wasn't a one or two word answer) I would likely voice my displeasure to the agent or the agent's supervisor because the behavior indicates that I am not valued or respected as a customer and that my time is somehow less valuable than anyone else's.
Yeah, I put a lot in to Customer Service...One of the reasons I fly CO virtually excusively.
Lincoln
CO Is My Airline of Choice || Baggage Claim is an airline's last chance to disappoint a customer || Next flts in profile
Avatordon From United States, joined May 2006, 239 posts, RR: 1 Reply 9, posted (3 years 1 month 1 week 2 days 5 hours ago) and read 653 times:
When I was an agent - did one of two things.
1) If there was a person in front of me (or a queue behind them) - would reply "I'd be happy to answer so long as the individual I'm working with and all of the people behind thwem have no objection".
2) This one usually got a chuckle or two - stole it from the old TV show "Wings" - when approached w/a quick questions, my reply would be "Do you see this line?" They reply "yes" - My reply would be "That's the quick question line..."
FlyMatt2Bermud From United States, joined Jan 2006, 522 posts, RR: 9 Reply 11, posted (3 years 1 month 1 week 2 days 3 hours ago) and read 466 times:
Quoting ASWISSinMAD (Reply 3): It happens to me all the time (I'm a ticket agent). I used to be more patient, but after seeing so many passengers abusing us with the "quick question" trick i now tell them politely but firmly to go to the back of the queue.
Normally they don't show a happy face but since the "quick question" is usually unrelated to my airline (where's the bathroom? Delta? Bar? How do I dial for xxx etc....) they tend not to bother waiting and go ask elsewhere.
I hate to be cut off in the middle of a conversation with a passenger or while trying to concentrate on a difficult international re-routing. I think it's rude and some of them are lucky I am not bad mannered!
I wish all ticket agents had your gumption.
"I just want you to know, we're all counting on you!"
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