Hi all, here is the story to entertain you guys.
I see the activity about carry on's and luggage and people not being allowed on the planes, is surging
So, finally, I got "hit" this monday! Here is the one:
* please NOTE, that this is not a complaint, but just a funny story.
Remember, the American guy last month or so, who met "Mr.Otto-the gate dragon" and got kicked off the plane? Well, I met "mr.Otto" X 10! plus a swat team!
First time in my life, I flew OK (czech airlines). As they are part of ScaryTeam, I expected the "under" performance (and I am also gold with S.Team) so, I tried to lower my expectations...
My flight was LED-PRG-CDG and back. On the way back, from ArtParis I was carrying the tube / box 15cmx15cm but the hight was 90cm. There were some art prints inside. I've done it numerous times and in the past 5 years, never had a problem. I had few "disapproving" looks before, small talks and smooth passage after all.
The tubus/box usually gets stored in the C closet and on medium haul, it goes behind the last C class seats, even if I'm in Y at that moment. Yes, status helps and that is what I need it for (the small favors).
Continue, the flight on OK from CDG to PRG was fine, box was placed in the C closed. In Prague, we came to the gate and since they were quite slow boarding people, decided to "sit it out" till the line is finished.
All this time, I observed one gate agent in his late 20's, early 30's nervously getting every second person's bag, make them place it in the metal frame sample, and..... grabbing it away from them! I censed the storm brewing up....
Granted, the flight was full of Russians and yes, they not always comply with regulations per se. Perhaps, the agent was fed up with them, but when it came to my turn, the guy, BARELY holding himself together, while trying to GRAB my box started saying loud: "No! this must be checked IN".
After that second and a smile on my face, the "snow ball" started to roll... I could not finish any sentence I started. All of my:
-"Sir, I am a your SkyTeam gold member and this is painting...." - No!
-"Can I speak with station manager"? - No!
-"Can you call FA and I will explain the.." -No!
-"If You fly in business, you can take it, if you don't, you check it in NOW"!!
The guy's hands were shaking, he was grabbing his mobile to take a picture, he was calling some places every few seconds, non stop, slamming one phone down, picking up other....
all this in less than 2 minutes. Then it goes: "If you don't check it in, I'll take you off the plane"!
-"can I speak with station manager"? -Yes, AFTER I throw you of the plane!
- (me) " Sir, please control yourself and your language"
There were couple of weak attempts from the second gate person to talk to him about letting me go, but by then, the guy was loosing it.
Next step: "I'm taking you off the plane and call the police"! (Why police??).
I see, that the guy is uncontrollable, so I say "OK, check it in but you'll destroy the work of art". "Too late" he replies and goes to the computer.
I'm pointing this out, so all of you know, that he has not initiated the removal procedures, the flight manifest is not yet printed out and I DO agree to check it in. I did asked him "Do you have something against Russians or the flight passengers who were with all this, oversized luggage"? "Am I "paying" for them"? The guy starts typing on the comp.
Meanwhile, my loyal "trooper", THE fiance, has been checked in with the SAME hight tubus, just smaller in diameter. She passed the gate but stays in the connecting corridor (unfortunately, there was no plane at the end, pax had to take a bus, otherwise, the FAs could have helped). So, she doesn't leave of course.
The guy starts pacing back and forth, making circles, grabbing phones, talking to other people and looks really shaken up... The actual doors of the gate are wide open and him and other staff walks up to my fiancee, trying to tell her she must go to the plane. I follow few steps, when the same guy starts screaming (I mean full voice, scream! No, exaggerations). - "Would you F**NG leave already", "This is a secure area, you "fu**ng" ... <unidentifiable in szcech>"!
The worst part, that I can NOT do anything! He screams at me, he screams at my girl. But.... You know, you at the airport, ANYTHING you'd do, can be interpreted as a act of hostile behavior or they will label you as terrorist later on and say, that you tried to highjack a plane!
(We did filmed it on video a bit, but the most "juicy" moments of the guy completely loosing it were not recorded).
Well, I walk back, my girl walks back to the gate. I know, that they would have to remove luggage and do all kinds of stuff, costing the airline much, much more money. My girl refuses to fly also and then...SWAT team moves in
I must say, those guys were the most calm and professional people there. Six of them, armed, knives, guns, gloves, vests... They were a bit tense in the beginning but were smiling at the end.
At this moment the "freak" comes down, plus he saw, that we were both filming him. He starts feeding his story (but I do understand czchech). Exaggerating of course, telling them I had aggressive behaiv. etc etc. I purposely spoke english. After he finished, I told the guys that most of what he said was crap and I understood it all. Told him our version, had a witness, etc, etc.
We were escorted back to the passport control, then to baggage belt, while chatting with the boys. While walking, talking and smiling, they decided not even write a report. We thanked them, waived to each other and waited for our bags.
Now, KNOWING, that I have NO chance being right, since I DO have my cardboard tubus that stands at 90 cm in hight, I still wanted to talk to manager about people with psychological issues at the gate.
And now.....the grand finale!
Awaiting the "Big Boss" at the check in counters, imagine my surprise, when I see, 20 something girl, walking up to me, pale, eyes squinted, fists clinched.... She knew about the situation, unmistakably choose "the side" and was ready for a battle!
Needless to say, nothing good came out. We tried to be so polite and "therapeutic" with her (note: my fiance is finishing her PhD in Psychology), but to no avail.
You know, you lost when you stay there, well dressed, with all of your Rimowa's, with beautiful girl, you do not look even slightly upset, smiling, talking in proper and professional language, asking her to understand what happened. Asking her not to take sides, but give the benefit of the doubt, that someone can be rude and un-stable at the gate. Forget it! Of course she feels "cornered" and becomes defensive.
In the end you hear: "You think you are something special"? "You thing you are special because you have your gold status"? "It means nothing to me", "I know the guy at the gate, he is very nice guy"...
The main issue, is the age. The age and lack of experience. While she was making a short call, my fiance told me: "forget it, she is young and under such stress, that she can not make ANY other and NEW decision. She can not deviate from the original one she made, prior to meeting with us", "all attempts will be futile"....
Well....
The rebooking charge for the next flight, the next day was 400 euros. We opted for 600 euros on different airline (where I have ZERO status). Spent a wonderful day and night in Prague and flew out the next day, without a single problem on the other airline, WITH all of my boxes/tubus on board, with me
I actually was hoping to meet that guy next day, so I can say "thank you for allowing us to spend a great day in Prague" (well... and costing your own airline few thousand euros in all delays) A little bitter from my side?
Yes, I'd not denied it but I had more fun, than problems and I'd like him to know that!
Ciao