FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - We Were Delta Air Lines Gate Agents for the Morning
Old Sep 26, 2010 | 10:05 am
  #48  
bennos
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Originally Posted by Canarsie
For example, behind me on the podium was a sign in bright red lighted letters containing the flight information, including the destination, and yet people still asked me if they were at the correct gate. Of course, I politely answered their questions with a smile and they were appreciative, but I was stunned at the same time.
Count me among those who've learned to distrust the LED displays at ATL (and the FIDS and GIDS for that matter). My favorite was when the FIDS asserted my flight was leaving at the same time from the same gate as another, while competing GIDS insisted my flight was leaving from two different terminals.

Originally Posted by Canarsie
Interestingly enough, only one connecting passenger wondered aloud to me why I did not have an official airport badge on me.

Otherwise, nobody — not pilots, flight attendants, passengers or anyone else — even questioned whether or not I was a gate agent for Delta Air Lines. They automatically assumed I was one and treated me as such.
Putting aside the conversation on what this says about people's trust and the value of ID badges, perhaps we can get some standard issue FlyerTalk badges printed up

Which we can all wear backwards so our names aren't visible

Originally Posted by Canarsie
Did you know that you can type in a custom message for the automated GDIS system at the gate, and its automated voice will announce your custom message?
Interesting... didn't realize they had text-to-speech capabilities.
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