[FJP]

During a flight home from Calgary, our flight was delayed getting into Seattle. Altought late, we did have enought time to make our connecting flight (if we had any help from the Alaska Airlines staff at Seattle).

Upon landing in Seattle (flight AS 570 from Calgary)late, we were not met at the gate (C-11)to direct us where to go to catch our connecting flight to Sacramento. We dashed to Gate D-3 and arrive 7 minutes before departure (2:30 p.m.) and was told by the gate attendant that she had closed the flight, even thought we were there 7 minutes early with the airplane still at the gate. She then told us that nobody informed her that we were coming and would not open the gate to let us on. We then proceeded to customer service to speak with the station supervison (Belinda) where we were met with a very cavalier attitude and "there wasn't anything she could do". She did say she was unaware of the delayed flight from Calgary and our effort to make our connectiing flight. (I guess no one communicates with the Seattle ground crew, I wonder why). This whole attitude is pervasive in the Alaska Airline operations in Seattle. The management needs to take a hard look to see what is causing this lack of caring toward their customers. I fly often and will think twice before flying Alaska Airlines again.

PS: As an aside, Alaska Airlines has the most uncomfortable seats in the airline business. Their seats seem to be 3 to 4 inches narrower then most other airlines.

[Gromit801]

Seems there was a loss of communication.

However, once a flight is closed, it's closed. It means that the seats are all filled. Every one of them. People on standby got the seats you thought you had waiting for you. Doesn't matter if the plane is still sitting at the gate, they're not going to tell someone to get off the plane to make room for you.

Missed connections have been a part of airline flying since it was invented.

Personally I have found their seats to be quite comfy, and I weigh 280 pounds.

[Todd Brown]

Gromit801 is probably another Alaska Airlines operative doing damage control

[Gromit801]

Todd, you can bite my a**.

I do not, nor have I ever worked for ANY airline or in the travel industry. I travel a LOT in my capacity as a graphics designer. 90% of the gripes I read in here, and observe are the direct fault of the passenger, usually never wanting to admit when they are in the wrong.

[PHXFlyer]

Originally Posted by Gromit801

Todd, you can bite my a**.

I do not, nor have I ever worked for ANY airline or in the travel industry. I travel a LOT in my capacity as a graphics designer. 90% of the gripes I read in here, and observe are the direct fault of the passenger, usually never wanting to admit when they are in the wrong.

Agreed!

[jimworcs]

90%

Disagree!! Plenty examples of appalling attitudes to customers in these forums.

[A Zollo]

I am so disgusted with all our airlines... I think we need regulation back and quick... they are nickling and diming us as customers... example- I had an unused ticked which was good for a year. To reinstate the ticket they charge me. I use miles to travel. If I change my mind, they charge me for redepositing the miles which I earned! I have to make a change on a ticket because my meetings run late, I am charged min. $200 to make changes... COME ON people...it's a few clicks ... allow us to make these changes on the internet for FREE!!! WHY DON't WE CHARGE THE AIRLINES for every late flight and cancelled flight. Airlines should pay us back! How about the top 50 executives- take at look at their salaries... ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!!!!

[PHXFlyer]

Originally Posted by A Zollo

I am so disgusted with all our airlines... I think we need regulation back and quick... they are nickling and diming us as customers... example- I had an unused ticked which was good for a year. To reinstate the ticket they charge me. I use miles to travel. If I change my mind, they charge me for redepositing the miles which I earned! I have to make a change on a ticket because my meetings run late, I am charged min. $200 to make changes... COME ON people...it's a few clicks ... allow us to make these changes on the internet for FREE!!! WHY DON't WE CHARGE THE AIRLINES for every late flight and cancelled flight. Airlines should pay us back! How about the top 50 executives- take at look at their salaries... ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!!!!

And this relates to this thread or Alaska Airlines, how? If you're going to post on a public forum please learn the fundamentals of doing so first.

[rudybjr]

I agree with Gromit, when the flight is closed, its closed. I used to work as a gate agent.

[Gromit801]

Originally Posted by jimworcs

Disagree!! Plenty examples of appalling attitudes to customers in these forums.

"In these forums," is not what I have observed over the years in the real world at the airports and at the counters. Most of the time, it is a customer that for whatever reason, isn't getting what they want through no fault of the airline, and taking it out on the counter agent.

[jimworcs]

Gromit,
You are either extraordinarily lucky or blind, cos this rubbish goes on in every airport, every day.

[Gromit801]

Neither.

Just very attentive, and usually am able to get both sides of a story. Most people at airports only hear the passengers side of it.