Celtic Radio Community [Powered by Invision Power Board]

Printable Version of Topic
Click here to view this topic in its original format

Celtic Radio Community > General Discussion > The Classic United Airlines Story

Posted by: Aon_Daonna 26-Dec-2003, 06:45 PM

As posted by Sami in another forum...

QUOTE

This one is for you. It's a classic! An award should go to the United Airlines
gate agent in Denver for being smart and funny, while making her point,
when confronted with a passenger who probably deserved to fly as cargo.

A crowded United Airlines flight was cancelled. A single agent was
rebooking a long line of inconvenienced travellers.

Suddenly an angry passenger pushed his way to the desk.
He slapped his ticket on the counter and said,
"I HAVE to be on this flight and it has to be FIRST CLASS."
The agent replied, "I am sorry, sir. I'll be happy to try to help you,
but I've got to help these folks first, and I'm sure we'll be able to
work something out.

The passenger was unimpressed. He asked loudly, so that the passengers
behind him could hear, " DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHO I AM"
Without hesitating, the agent smiled and grabbed her public address
microphone. "May I have your attention please," she began, her voice
heard clearly throughout the terminal. "We have a passenger here at Gate
14 WHO DOES NOT KNOW WHO HE IS, IF ANYONE CAN HELP HIM FIND HIS IDENTITY, please come to Gate 14."

With the folks behind him in line laughing hysterically,
the man glared at the United agent, gritted his teeth and swore "F***
You!". Without flinching, she smiled and said, "I'm sorry, sir, but you'll have to get in line for that too."

Posted by: Annabelle 27-Dec-2003, 10:32 PM

This ticket agent sounds like she needs and deserves a raise in pay. When you can make your point while being unchallenging and polite the girl deserves an award and maybe a paid day off.

Traveling is stressful to some folks. They don't handle change or inconvience very well. Thanks for posting story. Funny!
Annabelle

Posted by: andylucy 27-Dec-2003, 10:55 PM

That was AWESOME!

Thanks, AD. I needed that!

Andy

Posted by: Aon_Daonna 28-Dec-2003, 06:35 AM

hehe, I'm travelling quite often, and I used to work at an airport.. I know what those poor people are going thru...

Posted by: Annabelle 28-Dec-2003, 09:21 AM

Every airport has it's clicks. Last year at this time I went to London for 4 days and then spent Christmas in Wellsbourne England in the countryside for a week. In the airports most people were tired but patient even with the lay overs. I took enough stuff to read and do and then there are the naps on the couches. But you have to go prepared to be inconvienced. That way when nothing happens you are pleasantly surprised. We flew with United on this trip I spoke of and the attendants on the plane were great. They certainly do put up with alot.
Annabelle

Posted by: Aon_Daonna 28-Dec-2003, 10:40 AM

yes.. but most ppl seem to think airport staff and airline staff are machines.. *shrugs*
I used to work during holiday season in summer, and every airline overbooks.. telling that to the ppl that are too late is horror... I do feel with them.

I usually have tons of books or enough money to buy new books handy and my MD player. I don't get bored on airports often.

Posted by: High Plains Drifter 29-Dec-2003, 08:50 PM

I actually find it to be rather amusing to watch peoples reactions when encountered with travel delays whether it be airline, rail, or private auto. Some people react as if bad weather or whatever is a personal vendetta directed at them. A few years back while driving from Salt Lake City to northeastern Colorado we were delayed by a snow storm and spent about a month one Friday and Saturday in Rock Springs, Wyoming. (If you have ever been to Rock Springs, you will know what I mean.) It was snowing and blowing hard and all roads in and out of town were closed. There were two older couples traveling together heading to somewhere back east and just listening to them was so funny. The motel we were at was obviously packed with disgruntled travelers but most of took our lemons and made lemonade. The folks who managed the motel opened the restaurant for us to play cards, visit or just hang out, they served free coffee and snacks twenty-four hours a day for the two days. All this time the two couples that I mentioned would show up about every thirty minutes to inquire as to when the roads would open and when the manager or clerk would say they didn't know these folks would just rant and rave about how stupid they were and that they weren't doing anything to help. Meanwhile the snow was falling hard and blowing and drifting really badly. I imagine after awhile the motel folks probably wished they could just send those folks out to get lost in the storm and put them out of there misery. They were such pains.