I worked for a major carrier 30 years ago when starting in the workforce before moving on to a better career choice. In my time behing the counter I had tickets tossed across the counter at me with the comment "ON TIME TODAY?", I had two passengers come across the baggage scale at me, was spit on, poked in the chest (by a beautiful woman no less) and was called every obscene name I know (and I'm an ex sailor!).
So who was rude first? And if I was rude do you wonder why?
Look, airline employees today make about the same wage I did in 1978 NOT ADJUSTED FOR INFLATION to endure some of the stuff I did. Seriously, how would you like to start your day having someone throw cr*p at you because the flight to Atlanta is delayed for fog...like I can control that! The vast majority of airline delays are because of weather issues (unfairly called 'air traffic delays') or airport capacity problems (LaGuardia can handle 68 departures an hour on a crystal clear day but typically has 82 scheduled (management does that)...wonder why I'm always late). That agent has no control over any of those issues but IS the company front man/woman getting the grief for it. And quite honestly they're not paid enough to take that cr*p with a smile on their face while you look for something to throw. So if you don't like it and aren't paid enough then quit you say...and they do in droves meaning the remaining folks are understaffed and over worked also. Sorry if my smile is missing this morning ma'am!
Before you fill out that survey on 'rudest employee' next time perhaps you should look in the mirror first.

Reply