horrible experience with GA in TPA airport
#61
Join Date: Feb 2016
Programs: DL DM, SPG Plat 100/LT Gold, Marriott Plat, National Executive Elite
Posts: 2,988
And yes, a complaint will simply make AA crack down harder on "rogue" GAs or cases like this and move even more towards a "no exceptions" policy. If OP wanted to complain, the in-airport management would be best, and it seems they're already aware.
OP's message on Twitter will likely fan the flame further and not lead to anything positive.
The OP wants the GA to hand a passenger a plastic bag to turn into their personal item. Who are we kidding here? He claims to travel a lot but suggests things that reflect never having even seen a boarding podium.
Would it have been that difficult to run to the closest Hudson News or any store and ask for a disposable bag? That likely would have been faster than waiting for a Manager anyways. Everything - including a 4 year old refusing to carry their backpack - screams of entitlement.
PS I am Diamond on Delta. Delta's CoC states that, for international flights with a 6-12 hour connection, you can short check to a connecting point. Ok, I dealt with 2 DL agents as well as a Red Coat (a DL first-level Manager) and the Red Coat refused to do it - despite me being calm, having to show them the CoC, and all. In the end, I was told to either board and check my bag, or don't board. I boarded and checked my bag.
At my connecting point, an OSM (Operations & Service Managers) fixed everything.
In my example, the DL Red Coat/Manager level was wrong. For the OP, the GA was actually correct, and he's still peeved. You can't help people like that.
Also, DL doesn't valet tag. Not even for a Diamond 360 in Full J class. Their system literally does not allow it - they either have to use a handwritten tag or change your itinerary so the connection falls within the timing allowed to short check. Folks like OP will only push AA more towards what DL has in place.
DL puts in their CoC the policy of short checking on domestic itineraries with greater than 4 hour connection, or international itineraries with greater than a 6 hour connection. I see no such language in AA's CoC at all - very clear and black and white.
Relevant quotes from AA's CoC:
"Checking your bag
You can only check bags on the day you travel, and your bags must travel to the same ticketed final destination as you. Be sure your name is on all bags before you check them....
In all cases, we reserve the right to decide if your carry-on items are suitable to bring on board and if there is enough space in the overhead bins.
If you need to check your carry-on bags, be sure to take any fragile or valuable items like your keys, medication or computers with you on board. Also remove and carry on any e-cigarettes and spare batteries for laptops, cameras or other mobile devices."
See? You agreed that THEY decide if you could bring your carry on (NOT your personal item, which fits under the seat in front of you) with you. Then, at the airport, you made a scene and called the GA horrible, claiming you felt like punching his teeth in, because you no longer wanted to do what you agreed to (it sounds like because of poor planning).
Last edited by btonkid12345; Jun 14, 2019 at 10:10 am
#62
Join Date: Oct 2015
Programs: AA Gold
Posts: 89
I don't mean to be rude, but have you read any of this thread? OP likely couldn't check-in online because of the lap infant on a booking from Travelocity, and then once they did get to the airport it took 90 minutes to do the check-in process. I'd be miffed about this as well if I got to the airport 2 hours early and this sort of thing happenedYes--I understand there was a ticketing problem. And OP knew this prior to his arrival at the airport.
Travelocity recommends at least 2-3 hours prior for international travel.
And knowing that he had a ticket issue he chose to arrive 2 hours prior.
If he had followed Travelocity recommendation, choosing 3 hours would have made more sense with a known ticket issue.
Which would have theoretically put him at the gate an hour earlier and he would have pre-boarded with young children and been happily sitting on the plane with his roller board stowed.
His main beef should be with Travelocity but he has not really explained what the infant ticket issue was. That is unfortunate and I would be really angry about that.
As far a using one roller board for a family with 3 young kids---well, I wouldn't do that but he seems quite married to his roller board method. What happens if the flight is cancelled and they are re-booked but in separate rows? Then you are trying to distribute everyones things from a roller board in row 5 back to row 23. Or worse---your roller board is gate checked and subsequently your flight is cancelled? Then you have a 5 hour delay with no diapers?
Anyone traveling with an infant needs to have the infant stuff in a bag that goes under the seat and stays with whoever is holding the lap baby.
Travelocity recommends at least 2-3 hours prior for international travel.
And knowing that he had a ticket issue he chose to arrive 2 hours prior.
If he had followed Travelocity recommendation, choosing 3 hours would have made more sense with a known ticket issue.
Which would have theoretically put him at the gate an hour earlier and he would have pre-boarded with young children and been happily sitting on the plane with his roller board stowed.
His main beef should be with Travelocity but he has not really explained what the infant ticket issue was. That is unfortunate and I would be really angry about that.
As far a using one roller board for a family with 3 young kids---well, I wouldn't do that but he seems quite married to his roller board method. What happens if the flight is cancelled and they are re-booked but in separate rows? Then you are trying to distribute everyones things from a roller board in row 5 back to row 23. Or worse---your roller board is gate checked and subsequently your flight is cancelled? Then you have a 5 hour delay with no diapers?
Anyone traveling with an infant needs to have the infant stuff in a bag that goes under the seat and stays with whoever is holding the lap baby.
#63
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: US Air, UA BA LH AI DELTA MARRIOTT CHOICE SGP
Posts: 9,883
and that really is the main issue. AA should allow agents the flexibility to do these things. somebody who wants to valet check simply because he wants to? sorry sir we cant do that. a family of 5 who are traveling internationally and the overhead bins are full; sure no problem.
and the funny thing is for those who are talking about how the agent simply wanted to get the flight moving asap; it would have been much quicker to simply valet check my bag. my wife was on her hands and knees with the bag open and items spread everywhere while she was trying to figure out what we absolutely needed in the next 12 hrs or so and what could wait, then repack the bag, and then find a bag to carry all that stuff in. he was willing to wait the 10 mins or so for that.. so no, it wasn't about D0 or whatever
some of you really need to get your head out of AA's rear end and realize that justifying this behavior simply allows it to continue. you guys have been beaten and abused by them for so long you are willing to put up with this and make excuse for them.. completely insane..
oh and btw i did purchase MCE seats. paid almost $500 to select our MCE seats in advance... so doesn't that entitle me to overhead space?
and the funny thing is for those who are talking about how the agent simply wanted to get the flight moving asap; it would have been much quicker to simply valet check my bag. my wife was on her hands and knees with the bag open and items spread everywhere while she was trying to figure out what we absolutely needed in the next 12 hrs or so and what could wait, then repack the bag, and then find a bag to carry all that stuff in. he was willing to wait the 10 mins or so for that.. so no, it wasn't about D0 or whatever
some of you really need to get your head out of AA's rear end and realize that justifying this behavior simply allows it to continue. you guys have been beaten and abused by them for so long you are willing to put up with this and make excuse for them.. completely insane..
oh and btw i did purchase MCE seats. paid almost $500 to select our MCE seats in advance... so doesn't that entitle me to overhead space?
Agree. While I am not advocating openly, rudely confronting a GA, I do believe each of us afraid of being bumped because then the Captain has dumped the problem on ground staff justifying a non co perating pax delaying everyone else. There is a time & place to present / argue your case....OP did right by asking for manager who used common sense as otherwise off loading bags , rebooking etc would involve more delays and a blizzard of paper work, not to speak of potential liabilities.
I am not sure if MCE guarantees bin space, don't think so.
OP write to AA, use social media.Ask for compensation.
#64
Join Date: Feb 2016
Programs: DL DM, SPG Plat 100/LT Gold, Marriott Plat, National Executive Elite
Posts: 2,988
somebody who wants to valet check simply because he wants to? sorry sir we cant do that. a family of 5 who are traveling internationally and the overhead bins are full; sure no problem.
my wife was on her hands and knees with the bag open and items spread everywhere while she was trying to figure out what we absolutely needed in the next 12 hrs or so and what could wait, then repack the bag, and then find a bag to carry all that stuff in.
my wife was on her hands and knees with the bag open and items spread everywhere while she was trying to figure out what we absolutely needed in the next 12 hrs or so and what could wait, then repack the bag, and then find a bag to carry all that stuff in.
You had 4 people who could carry things in their hand, and all of whom could have brought a personal item (that fits under the seat) with them. You chose not to do this. Just because you decided to have children and brought them along doesn't mean you are accorded any privileges that any other paying passenger isn't. Thinking that any family should be allowed to valet check is beyond entitled and selfish, not considering many other passenger use cases where valeting could help, but still isn't necessary.
What you mention your wife doing is something you should consider doing in the future in advance of the gate - making sure what you ABSOLUTELY NEEDED is in your personal item, not a carry on rollerboard. What she did at the gate is a common sight at airports, so not sure why you are making it seem like she was victimized at the gate.
Again, it makes no sense to send connecting passengers out to retrieve a bag during a connection. If you missed your connecting flight retrieving a short checked bag, I bet you'd blame AA too.
#65
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: GCM, formerly DFW
Programs: AA Exp
Posts: 271
Man, there is some serious keyboard warrior victim-blaming going on in here.
*Yes OP could have gotten to the airport even earlier than 2 hrs, yes they could have packed their essentials in a smaller bag, but IMO it's really not an unreasonable request and you guys are slamming him like he did all of this on purpose to draw the ire of a GA
*Yes OP could have gotten to the airport even earlier than 2 hrs, yes they could have packed their essentials in a smaller bag, but IMO it's really not an unreasonable request and you guys are slamming him like he did all of this on purpose to draw the ire of a GA
Last edited by bscooter26; Jun 14, 2019 at 10:58 am
#66
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 7,875
Oh, but I do not fly AA
#67
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: AA LT Gold
Posts: 3,645
Man, there is some serious keyboard warrior victim-blaming going on in here.
*Yes OP could have gotten to the airport even earlier than 2 hrs, yes they could have packed their essentials in a smaller bag, but IMO it's really not an unreasonable request and you guys are slamming him like he did all of this on purpose to draw the ire of a GA
*Yes OP could have gotten to the airport even earlier than 2 hrs, yes they could have packed their essentials in a smaller bag, but IMO it's really not an unreasonable request and you guys are slamming him like he did all of this on purpose to draw the ire of a GA
Most likely, the GA denied the request not to draw the ire of the OP.
GAs gate check bags all the time, every day, on every flight. Every day they hear hundreds of stories with all sorts of justifications, reasoning and/or rationalizations from pax that don't want to let go off their carry-on bags. Because, who likes to gate check? Nobody!
The GA just wanted get the flight going and there is NO RULE that I know of that the GA must accommodate a valet check request from a pax Because then everybody WILL feel entitled to request valet check as well, it is convenient for everybody.
Of course there is no reason for the GA to be rude or have an attitude. That's another story.
#68
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 770
Man, there is some serious keyboard warrior victim-blaming going on in here.
*Yes OP could have gotten to the airport even earlier than 2 hrs, yes they could have packed their essentials in a smaller bag, but IMO it's really not an unreasonable request and you guys are slamming him like he did all of this on purpose to draw the ire of a GA
*Yes OP could have gotten to the airport even earlier than 2 hrs, yes they could have packed their essentials in a smaller bag, but IMO it's really not an unreasonable request and you guys are slamming him like he did all of this on purpose to draw the ire of a GA
The same is true the other way around.
Most likely, the GA denied the request not to draw the ire of the OP.
GAs gate check bags all the time, every day, on every flight. Every day they hear hundreds of stories with all sorts of justifications, reasoning and/or rationalizations from pax that don't want to let go off their carry-on bags. Because, who likes to gate check? Nobody!
The GA just wanted get the flight going and there is NO RULE that I know of that the GA must accommodate a valet check request from a pax Because then everybody WILL feel entitled to request valet check as well, it is convenient for everybody.
Of course there is no reason for the GA to be rude or have an attitude. That's another story.
Most likely, the GA denied the request not to draw the ire of the OP.
GAs gate check bags all the time, every day, on every flight. Every day they hear hundreds of stories with all sorts of justifications, reasoning and/or rationalizations from pax that don't want to let go off their carry-on bags. Because, who likes to gate check? Nobody!
The GA just wanted get the flight going and there is NO RULE that I know of that the GA must accommodate a valet check request from a pax Because then everybody WILL feel entitled to request valet check as well, it is convenient for everybody.
Of course there is no reason for the GA to be rude or have an attitude. That's another story.
Last edited by JY1024; Aug 20, 2019 at 11:56 pm Reason: Merged consecutive posts
#69
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 73
lol i definitely dont deserve a medal.
I"m going to assume that the policy is that you gate check the bag to the final destination (but i would love to see this in writing somewhere). now had the agent said "i'm sorry sir, but we cannot check your carry on to charlotte. here is a plastic bag, please put your diapers and formula in this so you can carry it on the plane. again i really apologize but there is no room left" i would have probable went for it. however he was a huge a** hole. blaming me for being late; even though he knew why (the ticket agent called ahead to let them know we were on the way" and honestly he seemed to take pleasure in knowing how much he was inconveniencing us; the smirk on his face said it all..
I"m going to assume that the policy is that you gate check the bag to the final destination (but i would love to see this in writing somewhere). now had the agent said "i'm sorry sir, but we cannot check your carry on to charlotte. here is a plastic bag, please put your diapers and formula in this so you can carry it on the plane. again i really apologize but there is no room left" i would have probable went for it. however he was a huge a** hole. blaming me for being late; even though he knew why (the ticket agent called ahead to let them know we were on the way" and honestly he seemed to take pleasure in knowing how much he was inconveniencing us; the smirk on his face said it all..
On a side note, I have no problem with the general policy of not giving the option to valet check bags, except for a few specific cases.
Hopefully, you had a good time on vacation and already starting to plan your next one.
#70
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Virginia, USA
Posts: 4,508
Ok? So you got what you wanted? They gate-checked the bag to CLT.
Guess I'm not understanding what you're asking in this post and I'm no AApologist by any stretch.
GAs can be rude/hateful, but if it ends up with what you asked for, what does it matter? Move on with your life and enjoy the vacation. There are plenty of other things worth getting worked up over in life.
Guess I'm not understanding what you're asking in this post and I'm no AApologist by any stretch.
GAs can be rude/hateful, but if it ends up with what you asked for, what does it matter? Move on with your life and enjoy the vacation. There are plenty of other things worth getting worked up over in life.
#71
Join Date: Oct 2015
Programs: AA Gold
Posts: 89
OP--you were in a bad situation due to Travelocity and the ticket issue. I am not blaming here---I am simply pointing out several ways you can hopefully avoid this in the future.
Delays happen---sometimes at check-in and sometimes at security.
If you have a known ticket issue, here's what actions you can take:
1. Call AA if your online check-in does not work. Try to understand what is wrong and who can resolve the issue. Perhaps then a call to Travelocity. Do whatever you can the day before to understand who can fix the problem.
2. If the ticket issue is still not resolved, arrive an extra hour early (or more) to the airport. Better to be relaxing at the gate than stressing at check-in.
3. Rollerboard---I would ditch it for many reasons, or at least supplement with small bags with the necessities. Keep the baby items under the seat---it's way easier to get a diaper, snack or pacifier or whatever that way, especially if the seatbelt sign is on.
4. Know the rules on when you need to be at the gate, MCE overhead space (I didn't know there was a time at which your lose that) and short-checking. That way if you are delayed checking in you could perhaps ask the check-in agent to let the GA know that you have a ticket issue. Not sure if that would help or not.
5. Especially when traveling with young kids---think through every possible worst case scenario. Things like mechanical/weather delays or cancellations, gate-checking roller board, overnight delay with a trip to a hotel, cancellation before and after boarding, etc. I would allow enough diapers, formula, meds for at least a 24 hour delay---because it can happen.
Delays happen---sometimes at check-in and sometimes at security.
If you have a known ticket issue, here's what actions you can take:
1. Call AA if your online check-in does not work. Try to understand what is wrong and who can resolve the issue. Perhaps then a call to Travelocity. Do whatever you can the day before to understand who can fix the problem.
2. If the ticket issue is still not resolved, arrive an extra hour early (or more) to the airport. Better to be relaxing at the gate than stressing at check-in.
3. Rollerboard---I would ditch it for many reasons, or at least supplement with small bags with the necessities. Keep the baby items under the seat---it's way easier to get a diaper, snack or pacifier or whatever that way, especially if the seatbelt sign is on.
4. Know the rules on when you need to be at the gate, MCE overhead space (I didn't know there was a time at which your lose that) and short-checking. That way if you are delayed checking in you could perhaps ask the check-in agent to let the GA know that you have a ticket issue. Not sure if that would help or not.
5. Especially when traveling with young kids---think through every possible worst case scenario. Things like mechanical/weather delays or cancellations, gate-checking roller board, overnight delay with a trip to a hotel, cancellation before and after boarding, etc. I would allow enough diapers, formula, meds for at least a 24 hour delay---because it can happen.
#72
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: AA LT Gold
Posts: 3,645
But because the bins were supposedly full (they weren’t, I saw at least 3-4 empty spaces where my bag could’ve fit before I go to row 23) I was willing to accept valet check. There is a big difference between me wanting to valet check vs having to because the bins were full
When bins are full, you want valet check instead of the standard gate check to final destination.
Exactly what I understood.
And again, the GA has no reason to do so. Not for you, not for anyone else.
Also. I am sorry but the argument that "bins were not full!!! there at least X empty spaces" is absurd.
Why? Because most of the times the "bins are full" call is not when bins are actually full but when FA/GA estimate the bins will be full.
If they wait till last minute when people are actually standing in the aisle looking for the last available spot, the boarding process will be delayed as pax find none space and the bags have to be brought all the way to the front to be gate checked.
Every time I have flown Delta as a non-status pax, I have had to check my carry-on. I plan accordingly.
#73
Join Date: Feb 2016
Programs: DL DM, SPG Plat 100/LT Gold, Marriott Plat, National Executive Elite
Posts: 2,988
In this time, a good GA who a pax is nice to could have radioed for just ONE roller spot for a baby - after all, if everyone else has boarded, they could easily identify if they could find 1 spot in an open bin anywhere.
But something tells me the OP wasn't nice to the GA. Between OP's feelings about his smirk, wanting to punch him, and all the names he's called other posters here, it all points to a lack of respect and lack of an ability to conduct some introspection.
Plus, he still hasn't detailed what happened with the infant ticket. He places all the blame on Travelocity, but I'm suspect...the OP could have assumed infants come on for free and he would do what he wants - just like with the baggage. Perhaps nothing was even paid or registered for the infant.
Given how the OP felt about the GA, I'm sure the feelings were mutual on the GA's behalf. And thus the GA made no attempt to help in any way because he likely wasn't being treated very well when all this went down.
#74
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 770
True. However OP claims the GA waited around for 10 mins while his tried to repack.
In this time, a good GA who a pax is nice to could have radioed for just ONE roller spot for a baby - after all, if everyone else has boarded, they could easily identify if they could find 1 spot in an open bin anywhere.
But something tells me the OP wasn't nice to the GA. Between OP's feelings about his smirk, wanting to punch him, and all the names he's called other posters here, it all points to a lack of respect and lack of an ability to conduct some introspection.
Plus, he still hasn't detailed what happened with the infant ticket. He places all the blame on Travelocity, but I'm suspect...the OP could have assumed infants come on for free and he would do what he wants - just like with the baggage. Perhaps nothing was even paid or registered for the infant.
Given how the OP felt about the GA, I'm sure the feelings were mutual on the GA's behalf. And thus the GA made no attempt to help in any way because he likely wasn't being treated very well when all this went down.
In this time, a good GA who a pax is nice to could have radioed for just ONE roller spot for a baby - after all, if everyone else has boarded, they could easily identify if they could find 1 spot in an open bin anywhere.
But something tells me the OP wasn't nice to the GA. Between OP's feelings about his smirk, wanting to punch him, and all the names he's called other posters here, it all points to a lack of respect and lack of an ability to conduct some introspection.
Plus, he still hasn't detailed what happened with the infant ticket. He places all the blame on Travelocity, but I'm suspect...the OP could have assumed infants come on for free and he would do what he wants - just like with the baggage. Perhaps nothing was even paid or registered for the infant.
Given how the OP felt about the GA, I'm sure the feelings were mutual on the GA's behalf. And thus the GA made no attempt to help in any way because he likely wasn't being treated very well when all this went down.
#75
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: SAN
Programs: Nothing, nowhere!
Posts: 23,300
you make many assumptions and you are wrong in every one. I know your type and am not interested in defending myself to you. Just rest assured you are wrong. The GA was mean from the beginning. I was nice to him until he said if he calls for the manager he will put me on the next flight. I know the infant doesn’t fly free. He was listed as a lap infant. Taxes were paid. He has a ticket number. Many swings and all misses. Keep em coming chief
The GA was a jerk and I'm glad his supervisor saw sense.
More power to you my friend for sticking up for yourself.