Gate Agent Called my Cell Phone
Jan 25, 2022, 2:39 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Fort Worth, TX
Programs: Delta DM, United Silver, Marriott LT Platinum, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 853
Gate Agent Called my Cell Phone
This morning I was flying LAX-DFW. I normally spend as much time as possible in the SC to minimize the amount of time I have to spend in the terminal and on the aircraft.
I walked up to the empty gate area at around T-23 (which is actually a bit early for me) and scanned my boarding pass. The GA said, “Are you...,” then saw my name appear on the screen. Her eyes lit up and said, “Oh, you are! I was just calling you!” I assumed she meant that she was paging me which routinely happens and laughed, but I checked my cell phone shortly afterward and I had a missed call from a local number. I felt it vibrating while this was occurring, so I’m sure it was a call from the GA.
Quite frankly I am beyond impressed by this service. The flight was fairly empty, but I was in OU which I suppose could have gone to someone else as a battlefield upgrade. There was a voucher printed out on the machine, but I didn’t have time to look at it.
I walked up to the empty gate area at around T-23 (which is actually a bit early for me) and scanned my boarding pass. The GA said, “Are you...,” then saw my name appear on the screen. Her eyes lit up and said, “Oh, you are! I was just calling you!” I assumed she meant that she was paging me which routinely happens and laughed, but I checked my cell phone shortly afterward and I had a missed call from a local number. I felt it vibrating while this was occurring, so I’m sure it was a call from the GA.
Quite frankly I am beyond impressed by this service. The flight was fairly empty, but I was in OU which I suppose could have gone to someone else as a battlefield upgrade. There was a voucher printed out on the machine, but I didn’t have time to look at it.
Jan 25, 2022, 8:51 pm
#5
Join Date: Nov 2016
Programs: Nectar Card
Posts: 1,093
I think this could potentially work better than paging via PA systems, which (1) some people tune out, and (2) can be hard to hear unless the passenger is paying attention and in the right "zone" of speakers. It could be win-win, as the specific passenger(s) can receive the equally specific information intended for them (i.e. "hi, where are you?"), and the GA could learn the passenger's situation (i.e. "sorry, I'm dashing over from security/conformance, will be over in a minute").
In the future this could be formalized into an official texting system, or a pop-up chat and menu in an airline's app.
In the future this could be formalized into an official texting system, or a pop-up chat and menu in an airline's app.
Jan 25, 2022, 9:01 pm
#6
Join Date: Mar 2003
Programs: former MD-88 jumpseat Medallion. DL FO, AA PLT PRO. Marriott LT Plat.
Posts: 752
I called a sitting US senator once when he hadn't shown up at the airport 15 minutes before departure (small outstation) and we were fully boarded. I think his assistant answered the phone. "Nope he won't be making it today." "Perfect, thanks. We're closing it up."
I don't think Twitter was a thing back then, but I didn't want to end up on the wrong end of that one.
I don't think Twitter was a thing back then, but I didn't want to end up on the wrong end of that one.
Jan 26, 2022, 6:52 am
#9
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: YUL
Programs: Super Elite 100K
Posts: 830
I think this could potentially work better than paging via PA systems, which (1) some people tune out, and (2) can be hard to hear unless the passenger is paying attention and in the right "zone" of speakers. It could be win-win, as the specific passenger(s) can receive the equally specific information intended for them (i.e. "hi, where are you?"), and the GA could learn the passenger's situation (i.e. "sorry, I'm dashing over from security/conformance, will be over in a minute").
In the future this could be formalized into an official texting system, or a pop-up chat and menu in an airline's app.
In the future this could be formalized into an official texting system, or a pop-up chat and menu in an airline's app.
Jan 26, 2022, 9:19 am
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Wesley Chapel, FL
Programs: American Airlines
Posts: 30,024
That's pretty impressive.
AA called me once on my cell phone too. I didn't recognize the DFW area number but picked up anyway. "Hello Mr Enviroian? Just wanted to let you know first class is checked in full".
AA called me once on my cell phone too. I didn't recognize the DFW area number but picked up anyway. "Hello Mr Enviroian? Just wanted to let you know first class is checked in full".
Jan 26, 2022, 9:47 am
#11
Join Date: May 2011
Programs: Delta PM, Hyatt Plat-ist, Bonvoyyyyyyed, Hilton $15 Daily F&B Receiver, Food Lion MVP
Posts: 1,203
I had a couple flights at the height of lockdowns that I couldn't cancel due to the 8 hour+ hold times. On one occasion, a gate agent from - of all places - PHL(!) called me and I let him know I wasn't making it, especially since I didn't take the outbound.
I was beyond impressed.
I was beyond impressed.
Jan 26, 2022, 2:27 pm
#13
Join Date: Nov 2016
Programs: Nectar Card
Posts: 1,093
I had a couple flights at the height of lockdowns that I couldn't cancel due to the 8 hour+ hold times. On one occasion, a gate agent from - of all places - PHL(!) called me and I let him know I wasn't making it, especially since I didn't take the outbound.
I was beyond impressed.
I was beyond impressed.
Jan 26, 2022, 2:32 pm
#14
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,413
A lot of people don't answer calls from numbers they don't know. It can also be tough to grab for a phone quickly if you're walking in an airport with luggage.
Jan 26, 2022, 3:13 pm
#15
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: ATL
Programs: Delta PlM, 1M
Posts: 6,365
Slightly OT.
Several years ago I arrived gate at about T-25. I have a "friend" in tow who had stopped off at the smoking lounge as we arrived.
They were calling all pax to board and I went on in. As soon as I scanned my BP I realized that my friend might not make it. I started to turn around and tell the GA I needed to fetch him. The GA said do not worry, we will check out the smoking lounge before we close the flight.
They did, and he made it minutes before they closed the doors.
I think the PA system is near worthless, way too much noise. Text messaging would likely be the most effective.
Several years ago I arrived gate at about T-25. I have a "friend" in tow who had stopped off at the smoking lounge as we arrived.
They were calling all pax to board and I went on in. As soon as I scanned my BP I realized that my friend might not make it. I started to turn around and tell the GA I needed to fetch him. The GA said do not worry, we will check out the smoking lounge before we close the flight.
They did, and he made it minutes before they closed the doors.
I think the PA system is near worthless, way too much noise. Text messaging would likely be the most effective.