I work at the airport/for the airline. You're wrong.
#91
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: YOW
Programs: AC SE, FOTSG Platinum
Posts: 5,734
The entire original purpose of this thread is to discuss what happens when AC staff flat-out refuse polite pushback from a knowledgeable customer, and continue to refuse when you literally hand them written proof.
#92
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: YVR
Programs: Bottom feeder Star Gold
Posts: 2,652
I raised an objection about the permeating stench of negativity that often arises, coupled with a forced outrage and dismissal of such 'inexcusable' actions. In reality, it's called 'life' and our best option is to deal with it in ways that don't include painstakingly recounting every transgression, real or perceived, on this or other public forums.
There are always two sides to every story, and of course whenever somebody posts about a negative experience, we hear just that person's position. There are plenty of people here who travel a great deal, and statistically speaking, must encounter a similar frequency of glitches when on the road. Why then do we not hear so much grief from these people? How many SEs and million milers have suffered their fair share of frustrations over many more years & miles than you, I or the OP have flown, and yet don't feel the need to stand up and bleat about momentary hiccups in brief exchanges?
So while I am well aware of "the original purpose of this thread", my response is to add a smidge of perspective into the mix, and to encourage others to not be so easily thrown off kilter.
In the immortal words of Chopper Reid (aka Ronnie Johns): HTFU.
#93
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 145
I have to say, that I must be one of the lucky ones.
Unfortunately, AC's IT issues affect me about 50% of the time and I have tons of issues doing OLCI. That means that at YVR I often have to head to priority checkin. They are always super courteous and I have only encountered one issue there in the past when they couldn't find my flight....and that was not their fault, I had booked for the wrong day.
That one time they immediately made some changes and got me on standby for the flight that I wanted. Somehow I even got upgraded at the gate to J, and I did not see one change fee or anything. They cancelled my later flight and no extra charges.
I was pleasantly surprised.
Unfortunately, AC's IT issues affect me about 50% of the time and I have tons of issues doing OLCI. That means that at YVR I often have to head to priority checkin. They are always super courteous and I have only encountered one issue there in the past when they couldn't find my flight....and that was not their fault, I had booked for the wrong day.
That one time they immediately made some changes and got me on standby for the flight that I wanted. Somehow I even got upgraded at the gate to J, and I did not see one change fee or anything. They cancelled my later flight and no extra charges.
I was pleasantly surprised.
#94
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: YOW
Programs: AC SE, FOTSG Platinum
Posts: 5,734
I raised an objection about the permeating stench of negativity that often arises, coupled with a forced outrage and dismissal of such 'inexcusable' actions. In reality, it's called 'life' and our best option is to deal with it in ways that don't include painstakingly recounting every transgression, real or perceived, on this or other public forums.
So while I am well aware of "the original purpose of this thread", my response is to add a smidge of perspective into the mix, and to encourage others to not be so easily thrown off kilter.
In the immortal words of Chopper Reid (aka Ronnie Johns): HTFU.
So while I am well aware of "the original purpose of this thread", my response is to add a smidge of perspective into the mix, and to encourage others to not be so easily thrown off kilter.
In the immortal words of Chopper Reid (aka Ronnie Johns): HTFU.
It would be great if every post on FT were simply "problem --> solution", but since this is basically just one big support group for those of us who continue to pursue a one-sided relationship with an airline who generally couldn't care less about us, many of these threads are simply people looking to vent about a problem that's not going to get solved.
That being said, a thread like this can often be very useful to help us spot the areas on which AC staff are most likely to double down on their mistake.
For example, my issue with GAs and lounge dragons who don't know the layout of a 777HD is easy to work around if you know the seat maps and simply ignore the wrong answer when it's given.
There was no good answer for Cow's original issue, but several people offered work-arounds that would at least get him on his flight.
TL;DR - you're welcome to find this thread pointless, that doesn't mean the rest of us have to.
#95
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: YVR
Programs: Bottom feeder Star Gold
Posts: 2,652
this is basically just one big support group for those of us who continue to pursue a one-sided relationship with an airline who generally couldn't care less about us, many of these threads are simply people looking to vent about a problem that's not going to get solved.
Asking for help or collective problem solving issues is a huge benefit of tapping into a deep pool of public knowledge. Venting - is literally just hot air.
Let's agree to focus on our common ground: staff telling any passenger they're wrong (regardless of who may be right) is poor form. Have a trouble-free day.
#97
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, BA Gold, SQ Silver, Bonvoy Tit LTG, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond
Posts: 44,357
Well, I walked up to YVR domestic/international check-in, and asked to get a boarding pass for AC 568 YVR-SFO, and mentioned that I had no checked bags. It was still about 90 minutes to departure.
"WE CAN'T GIVE YOU A TRANSBORDER BOARDING PASS HERE. YOU CAN'T JUST BE ROAMING AROUND THE AIRPORT WITH A BOARDING PASS. YOU HAVE TO IMMEDIATELY GO THROUGH PRECLEARANCE."
"No, I've done this many times before."
"NO YOU CANNOT DO IT. YOU MUST IMMEDIATELY GO THROUGH PRECLEARANCE."
"I'm going to the domestic lounge to meet a friend. I've done this many times before."
"YOU CAN'T CLEAR DOMESTIC SECURITY WITH A TRANSBORDER BOARDING PASS."
"You can--- oh whatever."
I walked into the concierge office. Of course, it was empty, so I walked back out, muttering something like "of course there are no concierges around".
Then I suppose it clicked that I wasn't some idiot in the wrong part of the airport.
"Are you checked in already?"
"Yes."
"So you just need a boarding pass?"
"Yes."
"Oh well I didn't know that."
"I literally told you I just needed a boarding pass..."
And I got my boarding pass.
"WE CAN'T GIVE YOU A TRANSBORDER BOARDING PASS HERE. YOU CAN'T JUST BE ROAMING AROUND THE AIRPORT WITH A BOARDING PASS. YOU HAVE TO IMMEDIATELY GO THROUGH PRECLEARANCE."
"No, I've done this many times before."
"NO YOU CANNOT DO IT. YOU MUST IMMEDIATELY GO THROUGH PRECLEARANCE."
"I'm going to the domestic lounge to meet a friend. I've done this many times before."
"YOU CAN'T CLEAR DOMESTIC SECURITY WITH A TRANSBORDER BOARDING PASS."
"You can--- oh whatever."
I walked into the concierge office. Of course, it was empty, so I walked back out, muttering something like "of course there are no concierges around".
Then I suppose it clicked that I wasn't some idiot in the wrong part of the airport.
"Are you checked in already?"
"Yes."
"So you just need a boarding pass?"
"Yes."
"Oh well I didn't know that."
"I literally told you I just needed a boarding pass..."
And I got my boarding pass.
#99
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: YVR
Programs: AC S100K
Posts: 978
The last time I tried to use the domestic priority counter to get checked-in for transborder it was a chore. The agent was frustrated with my request, and, of course, the frustration didn't subside when it worked.
I guess they don't see it much.
#100
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: YVR
Programs: Ice Cream Club, AC SE MM, Bonvoy Life Plat
Posts: 2,803
Like with AC*A on my BP, getting a J BP usually gets me amazing assistance from the priority checkin staff. They remind me where the MLL is, remind me how to use fasttrack, explain how to get to the swing gates AFTER the MLL, etc, etc... like I'm some newb who has NO expectations.
With AC*SE I felt like there was disdain that perhaps I felt I knew more than they did, so some odd defensive stance takes foot from the start. Like "I have to show this SE I know more than him/her." I felt I was being helpful by being specific about what I wanted, even using their terminology correctly, which was frequently met with disbelief that I was perhaps correct in my request.
Me in YUL general check-in area: "Can you direct me to ticketing?"
Agent at start of roped line: "You can get your boarding pass here." (points to special access counter in the distance)
Me: "No, I need ticketing. I want to buy a ticket with money."
Agent points again to the same stupid counter.
At the counter, I'm told I'm in the wrong place and that I need ticketing. This happens a lot.
I'm learning it's better to just be as stupid as possible. And, it's a lot easier... why am I doing their job for them?
I suspect the frustration shifted from a frustration of disarming an opponent to a frustration of admitting fault. Both result in the same sour face typified by many AC employees.
#101
Suspended
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: YKF
Programs: AC Elite 50K, Amex AP Plat, Choice Privileges, National Exec Elite, Via Prefrence
Posts: 2,996
YVR is hit and miss. I find if you appear lost and confused, and genuinely asking for help, they're totally awesome.
Like with AC*A on my BP, getting a J BP usually gets me amazing assistance from the priority checkin staff. They remind me where the MLL is, remind me how to use fasttrack, explain how to get to the swing gates AFTER the MLL, etc, etc... like I'm some newb who has NO expectations.
With AC*SE I felt like there was disdain that perhaps I felt I knew more than they did, so some odd defensive stance takes foot from the start. Like "I have to show this SE I know more than him/her." I felt I was being helpful by being specific about what I wanted, even using their terminology correctly, which was frequently met with disbelief that I was perhaps correct in my request.
Me in YUL general check-in area: "Can you direct me to ticketing?"
Agent at start of roped line: "You can get your boarding pass here." (points to special access counter in the distance)
Me: "No, I need ticketing. I want to buy a ticket with money."
Agent points again to the same stupid counter.
At the counter, I'm told I'm in the wrong place and that I need ticketing. This happens a lot.
I'm learning it's better to just be as stupid as possible. And, it's a lot easier... why am I doing their job for them?
I'm a third gen Vancouverite. This is a super righteous city. I find Quebec has a similar feel to me. I think cost of living and disenfranchisement in YVR is really messing things up more. Remember, Green Peace came from Vancouver... (I'm not against their ideals, just the holier-than-thou righteousness snobbery) Reminds me of the lay cliche "your freedom ends where my nose begins."
I suspect the frustration shifted from a frustration of disarming an opponent to a frustration of admitting fault. Both result in the same sour face typified by many AC employees.
Like with AC*A on my BP, getting a J BP usually gets me amazing assistance from the priority checkin staff. They remind me where the MLL is, remind me how to use fasttrack, explain how to get to the swing gates AFTER the MLL, etc, etc... like I'm some newb who has NO expectations.
With AC*SE I felt like there was disdain that perhaps I felt I knew more than they did, so some odd defensive stance takes foot from the start. Like "I have to show this SE I know more than him/her." I felt I was being helpful by being specific about what I wanted, even using their terminology correctly, which was frequently met with disbelief that I was perhaps correct in my request.
Me in YUL general check-in area: "Can you direct me to ticketing?"
Agent at start of roped line: "You can get your boarding pass here." (points to special access counter in the distance)
Me: "No, I need ticketing. I want to buy a ticket with money."
Agent points again to the same stupid counter.
At the counter, I'm told I'm in the wrong place and that I need ticketing. This happens a lot.
I'm learning it's better to just be as stupid as possible. And, it's a lot easier... why am I doing their job for them?
I'm a third gen Vancouverite. This is a super righteous city. I find Quebec has a similar feel to me. I think cost of living and disenfranchisement in YVR is really messing things up more. Remember, Green Peace came from Vancouver... (I'm not against their ideals, just the holier-than-thou righteousness snobbery) Reminds me of the lay cliche "your freedom ends where my nose begins."
I suspect the frustration shifted from a frustration of disarming an opponent to a frustration of admitting fault. Both result in the same sour face typified by many AC employees.
They were wrong and refused to back down?
#102
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: YYG
Programs: airlines and hotels and rental cars - oh my!
Posts: 3,001
I find YVR is far and away the worst airport in the entire AC system for mis-informed staff who refuse to even try to be helpful. They're the most frequently wrong and utterly obnoxious ground staff anywhere, bar none.
#103
Join Date: May 2005
Location: YOW
Programs: AC-SE100K MM, BA-S HH-D, MB-G LT Sil, IHG-Plt, Nexus, Global Entry
Posts: 3,805
Well, I walked up to YVR domestic/international check-in, and asked to get a boarding pass for AC 568 YVR-SFO, and mentioned that I had no checked bags. It was still about 90 minutes to departure.
"WE CAN'T GIVE YOU A TRANSBORDER BOARDING PASS HERE. YOU CAN'T JUST BE ROAMING AROUND THE AIRPORT WITH A BOARDING PASS. YOU HAVE TO IMMEDIATELY GO THROUGH PRECLEARANCE."
"No, I've done this many times before."
"NO YOU CANNOT DO IT. YOU MUST IMMEDIATELY GO THROUGH PRECLEARANCE."
"I'm going to the domestic lounge to meet a friend. I've done this many times before."
"YOU CAN'T CLEAR DOMESTIC SECURITY WITH A TRANSBORDER BOARDING PASS."
"You can--- oh whatever."
I walked into the concierge office. Of course, it was empty, so I walked back out, muttering something like "of course there are no concierges around".
Then I suppose it clicked that I wasn't some idiot in the wrong part of the airport.
"Are you checked in already?"
"Yes."
"So you just need a boarding pass?"
"Yes."
"Oh well I didn't know that."
"I literally told you I just needed a boarding pass..."
And I got my boarding pass.
"WE CAN'T GIVE YOU A TRANSBORDER BOARDING PASS HERE. YOU CAN'T JUST BE ROAMING AROUND THE AIRPORT WITH A BOARDING PASS. YOU HAVE TO IMMEDIATELY GO THROUGH PRECLEARANCE."
"No, I've done this many times before."
"NO YOU CANNOT DO IT. YOU MUST IMMEDIATELY GO THROUGH PRECLEARANCE."
"I'm going to the domestic lounge to meet a friend. I've done this many times before."
"YOU CAN'T CLEAR DOMESTIC SECURITY WITH A TRANSBORDER BOARDING PASS."
"You can--- oh whatever."
I walked into the concierge office. Of course, it was empty, so I walked back out, muttering something like "of course there are no concierges around".
Then I suppose it clicked that I wasn't some idiot in the wrong part of the airport.
"Are you checked in already?"
"Yes."
"So you just need a boarding pass?"
"Yes."
"Oh well I didn't know that."
"I literally told you I just needed a boarding pass..."
And I got my boarding pass.
So there must be some element of procedure or (out-dated) policy behind the confused messages emanating from AC. In other worlds, there is some consistency in their inconsistency.
--
13F
#104
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Vancouver, BC
Programs: Aeroplan 75K | Latitude Flight Pass junkie
Posts: 1,549
Isn't is 2016? Why would you need a printed boarding pass the day before your flight?
Do we even need boarding passes at all other than to get through security? I find that often the GAs don't even look at my boarding pass if I call out my seat number instead - sometimes they even thank me.
Do we even need boarding passes at all other than to get through security? I find that often the GAs don't even look at my boarding pass if I call out my seat number instead - sometimes they even thank me.
#105
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, BA Gold, SQ Silver, Bonvoy Tit LTG, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond
Posts: 44,357
It was a couple of years ago, but I had a very, very similar situation at YOW transborder. When I collected my BP from the check-in desk and turned around to meet a friend at a coffee shop, I was told that I could not do that as once I was processed at the desk, I had to go through to security. After a brief discussion, I believe the solution was to leave my BP at the desk, and to collect it after I had finished my coffee.
So there must be some element of procedure or (out-dated) policy behind the confused messages emanating from AC. In other worlds, there is some consistency in their inconsistency.
--
13F
So there must be some element of procedure or (out-dated) policy behind the confused messages emanating from AC. In other worlds, there is some consistency in their inconsistency.
--
13F
What about when I fly YOW-YYZ-SFO? I get my YYZ-SFO in YOW. And I certainly don't go straight through preclearance.
In fact, I've been given ZRH-YYZ-SFO in ZRH, and then gone out of the airport for lunch on the layover.
Isn't is 2016? Why would you need a printed boarding pass the day before your flight?
Do we even need boarding passes at all other than to get through security? I find that often the GAs don't even look at my boarding pass if I call out my seat number instead - sometimes they even thank me.
Do we even need boarding passes at all other than to get through security? I find that often the GAs don't even look at my boarding pass if I call out my seat number instead - sometimes they even thank me.
I'd respond to you, but I've already answered all your questions upthread.
And none of your questions are remotely relevant. I asked for a BP, and the agent was stupid and refused.