Poor Customer Service OHARE
 

To whom it may concern:
It is a shame to see that employees that hold such an important position serving the clients, behave in ways in which they do not give any respect or consideration, much less provide any help to us. Lamentable is the fact that even though I have paid for a service, I was treated in a deplorable way by one of your employees, I do not want to image how the treatment would be like, if the service was for free.
On May 24th, 2013, me Maria Marcela Sanchez Alcalde with the confirmation code DQMYZN, presented myself to the American Airlines international check in counter in O'hare's airport Terminal 3, to check in for my Buenos Aires flight via New York. I have been studying International Business and Finance at Illinois State University for 4 years, and I have been enrolled in a number of abroad programs that have taken me all around the world. I have used American Airlines and several others airlines, and in none of my previous travel experiences, was I treated with such unkindness, and disrespect by your employee G. Anipa. I even received threatens form her, telling me that she would not let me board my flight if she decided so, I question myself is this type of treatment given to a client fair?
As I was telling you, I presented myself to the check in counter, and proceeded with the check in process. Once I was done the computer indicated me that I required assistance from an agent in order to check my ID. I called upon G. Anipa for assistance, and right the way I was able to see that she started walking towards me in an annoyed way, and it resembled that she did not want to be there. She then asked me to where was I headed, I told her that Buenos Aires, Argentina via New York. She then asked me for my Argentinian visa, and I replied that I did not need one ( I had done previous research with the Argentinian Consulate in Chicago). Then she asked me that if I had been in Argentina before, I replied that I haven't been there and that this would be my first time, to my surprise she discourteously answered me, that how could I know that I did not need a visa for Argentina, if I had never been there, told me to shut up, and she proceeded to examine my passport in a thoroughly manner. She then took my passport to behind the counter, I asked here to where was she taking it and what she was doing with it, and she answered me to stay quiet, because if not then she would not let me travel. That she had the authority not to let me board the plane, and that it was worth to me to keep quiet, if I wanted to travel to Argentina. I wonder if she, a check in Agent, has the authority not to let me board the plane, let's clarify that all these started just after I asked her to check my ID as the check in computer requested it. At this point I was really angry, but I did not reply anything back in fear of losing my flight as she had just threatened me. She then handed me my passport back and finished up with my check in process. When I asked for her name, and told her that I would write a formal complaint against her, she ironically replied “ Ok, that's cool”.
I am thankful that I am able to speak English and present this complaint and not remain quiet to these actions. I do not want to imagine the treatment that non-English speakers would receive, could it be true that racism still exists today? As I stated before, when one pays for a service, one should be treated in a courteous, adequate, and respectful way, even though I am not a frequent customer, just by the simple fact of being a customer, I deserve a cordial and respectful treatment, by all of your employees.
I am willing to take this case to the highest department of your complaints office, as I believe this might not be the first time she treats customers this way, it is time for someone to speak up. Mrs. Anipa needs to learn the consequences of her actions, and I will make sure that I follow up this complaint with your department.
Awaiting for a quick reply from you
Maria Marcela Sanchez Alcalde

This is a very typical story of the kind of arrogance and abuse of authority by many airline employees. We need some hidden cameras.. It is long overdue that these morons face public humiliation.