trvlr, sounds like you have a habit of being held up in security lines. LAS, SYD, when else? Maybe you've got a metal rod in a leg, or carry something that needs extra scrutiny that might take some extra time? I'm just wondering if your security issues stem from one thing in particular?
It seems like no matter what anyone tries to explain to you, you think of it as an excuse. The fact of the matter is there is a human factor involved in customer service of any kind. You have to know when to bend (or break, if necessary) the rules, and when not to. I've known flights that have been delayed because we were missing a wheelchair passenger, or a blind passenger. Because a disability is involved, the airlines don't want to run into problems with possibly denying a passenger boarding simply as a result of their disability. I'm just using this as an example of a situation that "breaks" the standard rules, and the reasoning behind the decision that another passenger might not be aware of. Stuff happens. That's life. There are a lot of things that go on in the process of boarding a flight. Unfortnately, not all flights go as smooth as silk. In fact, just the opposite is true. Each flight is different, and the situations that arise (whatever they are) are handled accordingly. The rules of "10m prior to departure the seats are dropped", "3m the door closes", or whatever they may be for that airline are what is
supposed to be done. In a perfect world. We all know nothing is perfect. I'm not trying to make excuses for anyone. I have known some very pleasant gate agents, and some down-right rotten ones. It's possible you had the latter for the flight that you "missed." It's also possible that you had the former, and she was just doing the best she could to accommodate as many people as she could on the flight. I could run through several scenarios that i can think of as to why you were
not boarded 6m prior to departure. I can also think of several scenarios that would result in passengers boarding
within the 6 minute mark. I don't think that you want to hear any of them, though. The fact is, you do not understand how to work a flight. You can speculate all you want as to what you think happened, or why she did what she did, but the only person who knows what really happened on that flight, and why you were not boarded is the gate agent.
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I realize this additional courtesy is too much to ask of the prima donnas occupying "service" positions in airports these days
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Since you seem to be so big on helping us little people out by defining your big words, I thought i'd do the same for you. Here's the definition of
discrimination:"treatment or consideration of, or making a distinction in favor of or against, a person or thing based on the group, class, or category to which that person or thing belongs rather than on individual merit". I'm pretty sure your above quote is discriminatory. Pot, meet Kettle.
I'm sure you'll be shocked to hear that I have to agree with others when I say that what happens between when you check in and when you arrive at your gate is something that the airline should not be concerned with. You are a big boy (or girl). You do not need someone to hold your hand from the ticket counter to the gate. You need to assume some responsibility for yourself, and stop blaming others for the fact that you missed your flight. If you think that being at the airport 2 hrs before your departure time is a ridiculous request, then don't do it. But if the result is that you miss your flight, then don't complain. I know 2 hours is a long time. Especially if the flight is maybe an hour or an hour and a half in duration. But that general rule is there for a reason. That you think it is so the airline employees and TSA can screw with you is unfortunate. You keep saying that you checked in in time for the flight. But you missed the flight, so obviously
didn't check in with enough time. Technically, you checked in before the cut-off time at the ticket counter, but it doesn't seem that that was enough time to make your flight, does it? I know, I know, trains break, TSA harrassed you, blah blah. Maybe those 2 hours don't seem so unrealistic now?
I also think that any civil liberties organization that got wind of your ideas on how to keep track of people in the airports would be so far up your a$$ they'd come out your mouth. Asking for cell phone numbers? Tracking EVERY passenger through the airport? Riiiiight. And the beeper idea is priceless. I think, essentially, your boarding card serves the same purpose, don't you? It's got the time your flight leaves, the gate, and even your name on it, just in case you happen to forget. I know, it's doesn't have all the pretty lights on it, but i think it's a suitable subsititute. And
most airlines in
most airports page the people they are missing. "Final boarding call for AirTran flight 346 to Newark. Passengers Abdul, Smith, and Kramer please report to gate B3." I know you've heard those pages before. So to say the airlines make no effort to get missing people on the plane is garbage. Maybe you think we should chip people like we do our dogs, but with GPS, so that you have no responsibilities whatsoever? That way you would never be responsible for your whereabouts ever again. If anyone needed you, THEY could find YOU! Good luck in all your travels. I think you just might need it.