AirTran Airways A+ Rewards - Customer service attitudes - GAs and TAs

I have had consistently EXCELLENT service at PBI's airtran station -all around, even when busy. While price determines my buying decisions, PBI's airtran service is enough of a difference maker that it went a long way to cementing my loyalty to Airtran.

In Atlanta, it has been mixed - great, rude, indifferent. Lately, it seems mostly indifferent bordering on rude/impatience at the gate while I get much friendlier ticket agents though some can be quite indifferent. I do have to add that two of the biggest favors I got were at this airport where I was allowed to board after the gate was closed. It's a pity because I think more people would have been won over by Airtran if they could get more of the friendly behavior I encountered. Then again, I wonder if they encounter a lot of rude passengers at this airport making them more prone to grumpiness.

The remaining are small sample sizes:

BWI: I had a couple of the rudest agents.

BOS: Not awesome, but acceptable. Polite but not enthusiastic TAs, but the GA seemed friendly when spoken to friendly.

PHL: Not so friendly facial expressions, but they got the job done the few times I went here.

ACY: Polite.


Does a busy airport make the employees more prone to crankiness?

As far as flight crews, mostly very friendly.

I wonder if they encounter a lot of rude passengers at this airport making them more prone to grumpiness.



:D Best line yet.

MKE: much better than MDW.

Does a busy airport make the employees more prone to crankiness?

Larger cities do tend to have more diverse passengers booked. From the very frequent flyers to those that are apparently more accustomed to a city bus schedule. (and even both are sometimes faced with the sudden reality of the time needed for check-in and passing through security)

More oversold flights. More connections. More UMs. More Elites. Add in late check-ins, more standbys... not to mention more commuting Pilots and FAs wanting to fly NRSA often last minute. All while watching for late inbound connections... and not take a delay clearing standbys unless the station decides to hold for late arriving confirmed passengers.

That's just boarding flights, from inbound passengers more gate directing and yes at a large hub often more misconnects....

How large station GA's cope with all that day after day with anything close to a sincere smile each and every day is beyond me. I thank them when I see them!