Can you believe this still happens?!
 

I was heading out on a flight to Miami just last month and had the worst experience with a rep @ AA. This is how it started…

What I had failed to realize is that when I booked my ticket on line it did not say what terminal I was to go to, which left me in a bit of a panic. I get to terminal 3 and run in to the AA desk but saw that no one was paying any attention to me as there were quite a few people and only 1 person taking tickets. I thought that was the stupidest thing to only have one person for so many people as there were a few flights heading out that morning :confused:. Anyhow, after 15 minutes I saw this lady rushing over to help people but not behind the counter but in the line. I thought finally! I can get some help. She went one by one talking to people and I kept following her, waiting my turn, some of the people looked they were being rushed and rough handled by this lady, the looks said enough. A new person arrived into the line and she headed towards that person to help them. I politely said so sorry but I just needed to ask a really quick question as I was here before her, the AA attendant gave me the look of death and let out this sigh like I was bugging her, then continued to tell me in a loud rude tone that “she is busy and couldn’t possibly help me with my question”. I thought she was there to help and I didn’t ask the lady to carry my luggage or escort me to Disney World, I only wanted to know what if I was in the correct terminal. I held my breath and told the lady how rude she was being and that if she was not the person to ask who I should ask. She then turned around grabbed my paper and told me yes I was in the correct terminal. I grabbed my paper back and said THANK YOU, WAS THAT HARD???? :mad: I was so upset. I went back outside where I proceeded to pay the taxi driver almost $70 for waiting (since I didn’t know what terminal, I couldn’t let him leave) He let me pay $65 and said I was a really nice customer and conversationalist for the ride there.

I hear about rude people on flights etc but never experienced it myself as I try to put myself in other people’s shoes most of the time. I’m pretty easy going but you can imagine my frustration. I come back and the line is longer than ever, in which I start talking to people in the line. So far no one was flying to Miami like me (my stomach is now turning as I feel like I am late). My flight was less than an hour away and I had all these people in front of me. I decided to use the kiosk. Everyone in the line said the kiosks were not working and don’t bother but I really had no choice, the time was going, they promised to keep my spot. I can see that same AA attendant just standing there, and was just grinding my teeth hoping I would not have to ask for her help. I get there and it got me so far until it said “Call the Attendant”. So without hesitation I called the attendant who again rolled her eyes and said “It’s not my fault you arrived late for your flight and there was nothing she could do about it and that I should have arrived earlier if I wanted to board this flight and I should proceed to the line to pay for another flight, if I was lucky”. That was it I had it with this attendant. I told her “she was the rudest thing and that I didn’t appreciate her tone and rude answers and if I wasn’t running out of time I would speak to her Supervisor on what she is saying”. She just looked at me. Went back into the line to tell the people holding my spot what I was just told and they said she had been rude to them too, but were exceptionally nice to the non-black and non-Asian people. This made my blood boil. Can’t believe in 2008, people still have to deal with this crap. WHAT AN EXPERIENCE.

In the long run an AA attendant from around the desk came over and helped me out. Thank God for her, she was patient and told me not to worry I would make it on this flight. I got to go on my flight with 20 minutes to spare before boarding, there was still people (non-black or non-Asian) behind me who were on my same flight and didn’t have the aggravation I had that dealt with the same person. The 2 people whom I sat with on the plane were complaining about the same lady and how she only wanted to treat non black and/or non-Asian people.

Where is the WDHP in this organization!!! :mad:

Signing off,
Very Annoyed and waiting for an apology.

An apology
 

I am sorry to hear about what you went through. If you believe racism is going on I strongly suggest you file a complaint with the Department of Transportation. That is illegal not to mention unethical. It will help to have the agent's name and description. I agree that is not right.

http://airconsumer.ost.dot.gov/problems.htm

Also, I am not familiar with the airport in which this happened but I do know many airports have large screens displaying the departure gate of given flights. And you can also call 1-800-252-4444 if you know your flight number and the machine will tell you current flight status as well as departure gate.

I tell this to all passengers so please don't feel like I am singling you out. It is important to get to the airport early in case their is a long line. It sounds like you were at the airport just barely in time. Glad you made the flight in time.

I hope my info helps.