Gate agent paged me and warned me I should board with my Zone
Apr 16, 2019, 7:48 am
#31
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Well, I'm answering the OP's question, which was "Should I change my habits?"
If the OP asked if they need to change their habits, then, no, they do not need to change their habits.
If you feel that the GA is exhibiting a bad attitude and bad behavior, then even more reason... 'cause it sounds like a lot of work for the OP to change the GA's ongoing behavior for future visits.
It would be easier for the OP to just do this workaround.
There's no rule that I know of that says OP needs to be pleasant and empathetic for just a few seconds, but I find it works well for me.
If the OP asked if they need to change their habits, then, no, they do not need to change their habits.
If you feel that the GA is exhibiting a bad attitude and bad behavior, then even more reason... 'cause it sounds like a lot of work for the OP to change the GA's ongoing behavior for future visits.
It would be easier for the OP to just do this workaround.
There's no rule that I know of that says OP needs to be pleasant and empathetic for just a few seconds, but I find it works well for me.
Apr 16, 2019, 11:08 am
#32
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I'm not suggesting OP be confrontational. Being confrontational with those in a position of authority rarely plays out well, especially since when it comes to pax versus employees/crew, authorities are more likely to side with employees and crew. But OP shouldn't an doesn't need to change his habits. If the GA has a problem with FC pax boarding at the end of boarding rather than when FC is called, the GA should work through his/her chain of leadership to bring about the desired change.
You may not see it that way but it's giving in to a mild form of bullying. A GA using their position of authority and power to try to force something that's not a rule/policy is a soft form of bullying. On the bullying scale is it anywhere near the worst case? No. But it's still a soft form.
You may not see it that way but it's giving in to a mild form of bullying. A GA using their position of authority and power to try to force something that's not a rule/policy is a soft form of bullying. On the bullying scale is it anywhere near the worst case? No. But it's still a soft form.
It sounds to me that the GA should seek another job if he/she is unhappy with DL procedures for FC passengers.
Apr 16, 2019, 11:33 am
#33
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Apr 16, 2019, 3:18 pm
#34
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I’ve been traveling and too busy to respond. Heading home in C+. Agh.
Yes, he was prob late 50s with salt and pepper hair. Quite persnickety.
Not it a huge deal, I was just surprised having adopted the delightful board late habit eons ago. Right now I’m in MSP and will attempt to board dead last in order to minimize my time in steerage.
Yes, he was prob late 50s with salt and pepper hair. Quite persnickety.
Not it a huge deal, I was just surprised having adopted the delightful board late habit eons ago. Right now I’m in MSP and will attempt to board dead last in order to minimize my time in steerage.
Apr 16, 2019, 4:08 pm
#35
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A lot of people are misstating the 15-minute rule here. There is no rule that you have to be on board 15 minutes before takeoff or they can give your seat away.
The actual rule is: "Additionally, you’re required to be at the gate and ready to board 15 minutes before scheduled departure." That's a different thing.
The actual rule is: "Additionally, you’re required to be at the gate and ready to board 15 minutes before scheduled departure." That's a different thing.
Apr 16, 2019, 4:39 pm
#36
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A lot of people are misstating the 15-minute rule here. There is no rule that you have to be on board 15 minutes before takeoff or they can give your seat away.
The actual rule is: "Additionally, you’re required to be at the gate and ready to board 15 minutes before scheduled departure." That's a different thing.
The actual rule is: "Additionally, you’re required to be at the gate and ready to board 15 minutes before scheduled departure." That's a different thing.
- D-15 passes and the gate agent doesn’t have any passengers trying to board. Anyone who presents themself for boarding (walks up to the boarding pass scanner) after that point doesn’t meet the boarding time requirement.
- D-15 passes but you’re waiting in line to board at the gate. Since you are ready to board, you’ve met the boarding time requirement and your seat shouldn’t be released.
Apr 16, 2019, 10:24 pm
#37
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Also, "fifteen minutes before takeoff" would be undefined until after takeoff has occurred, so it cannot be a rule.
For example, if a flight is lined up on the tarmac or waiting for de-icing but left the gate on schedule an hour ago, would the plane be obligated to go back to the gate to pick up a passenger who arrived thirty minutes after the originally scheduled departure time?
For example, if a flight is lined up on the tarmac or waiting for de-icing but left the gate on schedule an hour ago, would the plane be obligated to go back to the gate to pick up a passenger who arrived thirty minutes after the originally scheduled departure time?
Apr 17, 2019, 12:43 am
#38
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I think the so called 15 minute rule is specifically in reference to denying a passenger boarding rather than guaranteeing the passenger a specific seat assignment. I don't think it would be very good from a customer service perspective to downgrade a passenger before they're definitely a no show, but I don't see the 15 minute rule as guaranteeing the OP's upgrade.
Apr 17, 2019, 7:09 am
#39
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I think the so called 15 minute rule is specifically in reference to denying a passenger boarding rather than guaranteeing the passenger a specific seat assignment. I don't think it would be very good from a customer service perspective to downgrade a passenger before they're definitely a no show, but I don't see the 15 minute rule as guaranteeing the OP's upgrade.
You seem to suggest that it's OK for a GA to remove a customer from a FC seat and downgrade the passenger at some time before T-15 provided that the person is given some other seat on the flight. At what time does this become OK or can the GA just do it at any time for any reason or no reason at all?
Apr 17, 2019, 8:08 am
#40
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I think the so called 15 minute rule is specifically in reference to denying a passenger boarding rather than guaranteeing the passenger a specific seat assignment. I don't think it would be very good from a customer service perspective to downgrade a passenger before they're definitely a no show, but I don't see the 15 minute rule as guaranteeing the OP's upgrade.
Apr 17, 2019, 12:03 pm
#41
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Do you know who these people are?
Apr 17, 2019, 12:07 pm
#42
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I'm not suggesting OP be confrontational. Being confrontational with those in a position of authority rarely plays out well, especially since when it comes to pax versus employees/crew, authorities are more likely to side with employees and crew. But OP shouldn't an doesn't need to change his habits. If the GA has a problem with FC pax boarding at the end of boarding rather than when FC is called, the GA should work through his/her chain of leadership to bring about the desired change.
You may not see it that way but it's giving in to a mild form of bullying. A GA using their position of authority and power to try to force something that's not a rule/policy is a soft form of bullying. On the bullying scale is it anywhere near the worst case? No. But it's still a soft form.
You may not see it that way but it's giving in to a mild form of bullying. A GA using their position of authority and power to try to force something that's not a rule/policy is a soft form of bullying. On the bullying scale is it anywhere near the worst case? No. But it's still a soft form.
Apr 17, 2019, 12:50 pm
#43
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Apr 17, 2019, 2:51 pm
#45
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A GA shouldn't be threatening to downgrade someone just because they didn't board with their zone, especially since OP said they were paged to the gate 25 minutes before scheduled departure time, not even at 15 minutes before departure time. GA was almost certainly trying to figure out if the seat was going to be a "no-show" so they could UG the next Medallion on the UG list but that's not OP's problem if that's the case.
You seem to suggest that it's OK for a GA to remove a customer from a FC seat and downgrade the passenger at some time before T-15 provided that the person is given some other seat on the flight. At what time does this become OK or can the GA just do it at any time for any reason or no reason at all?
Last edited by rucksack; Apr 17, 2019 at 6:39 pm