Irate Gate Agent at MSP
Jul 21, 2011, 8:35 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2010
Programs: Delta PM
Posts: 9
Irate Gate Agent at MSP
I had a tight connection at MSP today and ran as fast as I could from gate G14 to gate C9 to try to make my 5:05pm flight to SFO.
I got to gate C9 at 4:59pm but the gate was closed and no agent was at the gate. Another passenger arrived at the gate at the same time as I did and banged on the gate's door to try to attract attention (we could see the plane and the jetway was still attached). We then waited for about 5 minutes. At 5:05, a gate agent emerged from the jetway red-faced and upset and started yelling very loudly at the other passenger saying that it was illegal to knock on the door of the jetway and that he had called security and that she would likely be arrested.
The passenger immediately apologized and said she did not know it was illegal and that she was just trying to attract someone's attention. The gate agent continued to scream and rant at her in a scary and unpleasant manner for another 5 minutes. I stayed there because I was afraid for her. When I intervened (because she was looking scared and he was not calming down) and said there was no need to continue shouting, he turned his fury on me and said that he was going to be the gate agent at the next flight to SFO (the 7:30pm flight) and that he might well not let me on that flight (just for asking him to calm down). Obviously, since I was already delayed on my journey home, this threat was quite upsetting to me.
I understand that flights are often closed 10-15 minutes before departure time, so I was not optimistic about making the flight anyway but my question to my fellow flyer talkers out there is - is it really illegal to bang on a gate door after it has closed? First I've ever heard of it....
I got to gate C9 at 4:59pm but the gate was closed and no agent was at the gate. Another passenger arrived at the gate at the same time as I did and banged on the gate's door to try to attract attention (we could see the plane and the jetway was still attached). We then waited for about 5 minutes. At 5:05, a gate agent emerged from the jetway red-faced and upset and started yelling very loudly at the other passenger saying that it was illegal to knock on the door of the jetway and that he had called security and that she would likely be arrested.
The passenger immediately apologized and said she did not know it was illegal and that she was just trying to attract someone's attention. The gate agent continued to scream and rant at her in a scary and unpleasant manner for another 5 minutes. I stayed there because I was afraid for her. When I intervened (because she was looking scared and he was not calming down) and said there was no need to continue shouting, he turned his fury on me and said that he was going to be the gate agent at the next flight to SFO (the 7:30pm flight) and that he might well not let me on that flight (just for asking him to calm down). Obviously, since I was already delayed on my journey home, this threat was quite upsetting to me.
I understand that flights are often closed 10-15 minutes before departure time, so I was not optimistic about making the flight anyway but my question to my fellow flyer talkers out there is - is it really illegal to bang on a gate door after it has closed? First I've ever heard of it....
Jul 21, 2011, 8:47 pm
#2
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I had a tight connection at MSP today and ran as fast as I could from gate G14 to gate C9 to try to make my 5:05pm flight to SFO.
I got to gate C9 at 4:59pm but the gate was closed and no agent was at the gate. Another passenger arrived at the gate at the same time as I did and banged on the gate's door to try to attract attention (we could see the plane and the jetway was still attached). We then waited for about 5 minutes. At 5:05, a gate agent emerged from the jetway red-faced and upset and started yelling very loudly at the other passenger saying that it was illegal to knock on the door of the jetway and that he had called security and that she would likely be arrested.
The passenger immediately apologized and said she did not know it was illegal and that she was just trying to attract someone's attention. The gate agent continued to scream and rant at her in a scary and unpleasant manner for another 5 minutes. I stayed there because I was afraid for her. When I intervened (because she was looking scared and he was not calming down) and said there was no need to continue shouting, he turned his fury on me and said that he was going to be the gate agent at the next flight to SFO (the 7:30pm flight) and that he might well not let me on that flight (just for asking him to calm down). Obviously, since I was already delayed on my journey home, this threat was quite upsetting to me.
I understand that flights are often closed 10-15 minutes before departure time, so I was not optimistic about making the flight anyway but my question to my fellow flyer talkers out there is - is it really illegal to bang on a gate door after it has closed? First I've ever heard of it....
I got to gate C9 at 4:59pm but the gate was closed and no agent was at the gate. Another passenger arrived at the gate at the same time as I did and banged on the gate's door to try to attract attention (we could see the plane and the jetway was still attached). We then waited for about 5 minutes. At 5:05, a gate agent emerged from the jetway red-faced and upset and started yelling very loudly at the other passenger saying that it was illegal to knock on the door of the jetway and that he had called security and that she would likely be arrested.
The passenger immediately apologized and said she did not know it was illegal and that she was just trying to attract someone's attention. The gate agent continued to scream and rant at her in a scary and unpleasant manner for another 5 minutes. I stayed there because I was afraid for her. When I intervened (because she was looking scared and he was not calming down) and said there was no need to continue shouting, he turned his fury on me and said that he was going to be the gate agent at the next flight to SFO (the 7:30pm flight) and that he might well not let me on that flight (just for asking him to calm down). Obviously, since I was already delayed on my journey home, this threat was quite upsetting to me.
I understand that flights are often closed 10-15 minutes before departure time, so I was not optimistic about making the flight anyway but my question to my fellow flyer talkers out there is - is it really illegal to bang on a gate door after it has closed? First I've ever heard of it....
Jul 21, 2011, 8:58 pm
#3
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Once that door closes you have essentially zero hope of getting on the plane. Knocking is essentially a futile effort. That said, there's no reason for the GA to blow a gasket like he did, especially to turn on you like that. Send an email... for his own safety too, before he pops a vein.
Jul 21, 2011, 9:15 pm
#5
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Jul 21, 2011, 9:28 pm
#6
Original Poster
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Posts: 9
No airport police every came. A Delta supervisor did, however, and spoke quietly to the fuming gate agent and then left. The passenger who had "knocked" continued to wait quietly until the irate gate agent asked her why she was still there. She replied that she was waiting for security (as she had been told by him to do so). He then told her she could leave and he turned his back on her. She left at that point, as did I. We both returned to the gate for the subsequent flight a few hours later. He ignored us and we ignored him. Very bizarre all around!
Jul 21, 2011, 9:34 pm
#7
Join Date: Jul 2009
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What a jerk.
He doesn't deserve to have that job.
Terrible representation of Delta Air Lines.
He doesn't deserve to have that job.
Terrible representation of Delta Air Lines.
Jul 21, 2011, 9:35 pm
#8
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No airport police every came. A Delta supervisor did, however, and spoke quietly to the fuming gate agent and then left. The passenger who had "knocked" continued to wait quietly until the irate gate agent asked her why she was still there. She replied that she was waiting for security (as she had been told by him to do so). He then told her she could leave and he turned his back on her. She left at that point, as did I. We both returned to the gate for the subsequent flight a few hours later. He ignored us and we ignored him. Very bizarre all around!
Jul 21, 2011, 10:44 pm
#10
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Illegal? I'd have laughed, were the situation appropriate for laughter.
"Please, show me the local law or FAR that makes striking a jetway door a crime."
"Ah yes, I thought so. Now make with the rebooking, chop-chop."
"Please, show me the local law or FAR that makes striking a jetway door a crime."
"Ah yes, I thought so. Now make with the rebooking, chop-chop."
Jul 21, 2011, 10:59 pm
#11
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Jul 22, 2011, 6:05 am
#14
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Telling a customer that "he might not let him on the next flight" is combative and spiteful....and lame.
Jul 22, 2011, 6:23 am
#15
Join Date: Feb 2010
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Didn't know we had NYC GA's doing a job rotation in MSP. We're too "Minnesota nice" for something like that. 
Like someone else said...everybody has a bad day now and again - but taking it out on the PAX is not right. Agree that the supervisor / station managers should have been made aware.
Like someone else said...everybody has a bad day now and again - but taking it out on the PAX is not right. Agree that the supervisor / station managers should have been made aware.