Gate agent musings
Feb 12, 2020, 12:45 pm
#1
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Wesley Chapel, FL
Programs: American Airlines
Posts: 29,973
Gate agent musings
So I’m getting ready to board a flight at DFW. The agent gets on the horn to announce a mx delay and fast forward 90 minutes later plane is taken out of service. I walk up to the counter and ask what flights through phx are available. She asks me for BP to confirm I’m on this flight and asks me to come around and look at the screen. She asks my last name and upon entering it says “you’re EP you fly a lot and you know what you’re looking at”. I see connections via ORD, CLT, and LAX but no phx. Anyway she says “hey you know what? There is someone VERY important that needs to get to your destination. He will get there but you may not 
She continues. “ see this badge? 36 years of service. It only started getting this way 5 years ago”.
Then all of a sudden an announcement was made they found another 738 and go to the new gate.
I appreciate the openness of the employee. By the way that monitor? It was a blue screen background and o felt like I was back in 1988 Att 2600 PC wordstar running.
ETA now on the replacement plane. Flight attendant comes on horn to apologize about delay then adds “sorry the IFE and power outlets are inoperable “
LOL
She continues. “ see this badge? 36 years of service. It only started getting this way 5 years ago”.
Then all of a sudden an announcement was made they found another 738 and go to the new gate.
I appreciate the openness of the employee. By the way that monitor? It was a blue screen background and o felt like I was back in 1988 Att 2600 PC wordstar running.
ETA now on the replacement plane. Flight attendant comes on horn to apologize about delay then adds “sorry the IFE and power outlets are inoperable “
LOL
Last edited by enviroian; Feb 12, 2020 at 1:29 pm
Feb 12, 2020, 5:17 pm
#4
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: SLC
Programs: AA EXP, Marriott Plat
Posts: 616
So I’m getting ready to board a flight at DFW. The agent gets on the horn to announce a mx delay and fast forward 90 minutes later plane is taken out of service. I walk up to the counter and ask what flights through phx are available. She asks me for BP to confirm I’m on this flight and asks me to come around and look at the screen. She asks my last name and upon entering it says “you’re EP you fly a lot and you know what you’re looking at”. I see connections via ORD, CLT, and LAX but no phx. Anyway she says “hey you know what? There is someone VERY important that needs to get to your destination. He will get there but you may not
She continues. “ see this badge? 36 years of service. It only started getting this way 5 years ago”.
Then all of a sudden an announcement was made they found another 738 and go to the new gate.
I appreciate the openness of the employee. By the way that monitor? It was a blue screen background and o felt like I was back in 1988 Att 2600 PC wordstar running.
ETA now on the replacement plane. Flight attendant comes on horn to apologize about delay then adds “sorry the IFE and power outlets are inoperable “
LOL
She continues. “ see this badge? 36 years of service. It only started getting this way 5 years ago”.
Then all of a sudden an announcement was made they found another 738 and go to the new gate.
I appreciate the openness of the employee. By the way that monitor? It was a blue screen background and o felt like I was back in 1988 Att 2600 PC wordstar running.
ETA now on the replacement plane. Flight attendant comes on horn to apologize about delay then adds “sorry the IFE and power outlets are inoperable “
LOL
You blew you opportunity. You could have flown DFW-ORD-PHX...... (satire) I think those routes are now all ER4- Chairman Parker wants to reward ORD PAX by ensuring as window or aisle seat to all ORD PAX as he makes ORD an all ER4 fleet.....
Feb 12, 2020, 6:21 pm
#6
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Dallas
Programs: AA Executive Platinum
Posts: 591
Spot on. I'm just a lowly PPro, but I don't encounter even 10% of the issues this member seems to suffer... very strange.
Feb 12, 2020, 6:28 pm
#7
Join Date: May 2004
Location: DFW-In Plano & CDG-In the 11th
Programs: DL Diamond, AA revenue negative, Bonvoy Titanium +, Avis likes me
Posts: 3,209
OH Boy! Do I expect to get flamed on this one!
Just sayin’
(Self redacted)
Last edited by Dallas49er; Feb 12, 2020 at 6:51 pm
Feb 12, 2020, 6:37 pm
#8
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: AA Executive Platinum/Million Miler, Marriott Titanium Elite-Lifetime, Hilton Gold
Posts: 3,198
Ditto. I fly a lot and maybe have 1-2 "problems" a year that are generally solvable without drama, as one who flies a lot would on any carrier. Let's not forget people might be trolling us, so I don't believe much of what I read on here.
Feb 12, 2020, 6:48 pm
#9
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Rolling Lakes Yacht Club
Posts: 4,982
Feb 12, 2020, 8:28 pm
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Wesley Chapel, FL
Programs: American Airlines
Posts: 29,973
cry for attention? Hardly. Hanging 6 tags off your briefcase is that. I don’t think my post was remotely dramatic nor sensational. I merely reported what occurred today.
Feb 13, 2020, 4:45 am
#14
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: BNA (Nashville)
Programs: HH Diamond
Posts: 6,225
I really wasn't trying to be snarky. Sorry Enviroian. I just probably typed it wrong. I was trying to say 'find a new carrier'.
Feb 13, 2020, 4:52 am
#15
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Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: KHOU/KIAH
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Posts: 11,222