Thank You CHQ CA for 'Making the Walk'

[fieldinsight]

I don't know y gate agents think it's their ass if a flight goes out late trying to get a JS on board.

The few times I've "made the walk" I tell the gate agent I'll take the delay, if there is one.

Because many times it does have an impact on their asses. Unless I have a CA who will tell me that they'll take the hit, anyone showing up at a gate without a listing has a good shot at getting left behind. If you could list LIM-EWR, odds are you could have listed for the connection. The powers that be want everyone onboard and flight closed when the clock hits :10 prior. Showing up at a gate :12 prior and not listed shows a lack of respect for the agent at the gate.

 

[great cornholio]

Because many times it does have an impact on their asses. Unless I have a CA who will tell me that they'll take the hit, anyone showing up at a gate without a listing has a good shot at getting left behind. If you could list LIM-EWR, odds are you could have listed for the connection. The powers that be want everyone onboard and flight closed when the clock hits :10 prior. Showing up at a gate :12 prior and not listed shows a lack of respect for the agent at the gate.

While I try to not show up late without being listed there are some times that it can't be helped. Such as getting plan A all dicked up and having to run to the backup plan. Or things such as not knowing the number to list or the list number being "closed". I had a problem with AA gate agents a few years ago. They asked me if I had listed and I said no. They gave me crap for not listing. I told them that I didn't know the number to list and asked them if they knew it. Neither one of the 2 knew the number either. I don't mind getting yelled at for not listing, but if I ask how to list myself they should know the answer or shut up.

UAL agate agents in IAD (A gates are worst) have started making up weight restrictions on their flights. Thing is they are usually super light and no where close to the real limits if any. Worst part is they wont tell the Capt that there is a weight limit. I asked why they don't tell the capt and a gate agent said that they would rather leave pax both rev and non-rev and get an early push instead of get everyone on and take an ontime or late dept.

 

[flyin4jsus]

I wish the PSA crew would have helped me out the other day. And have the Ca come talk to me instead of the Fa do the Ca's job.

 

[ERfly]

I just had a most horrendous commuting event that was rescued by a Captain who stood up for his fellow airman and did the right thing. I am most grateful and wanted to express that here and pass on a cautionary situation at the AA gates in EWR and also a call to all of us everywhere to defend the jumpseat.

I was flying back from Lima,Peru this past Saturday morning and was able to get to EWR to make the first flight to my hometown on CHQ. I had to get through customs and then go from terminal C to A on the amazingly crappy "Airtrain" and then go back through security to get to the CHQ/AA gate. I managed to do this with 12 minutes to spare before the scheduled departure time. On the way to the gate I attempted to meal list for the flight only to find out that the non-rev help desk doesn't open now until 0900 CST, at least on the weekends. The fact that this first flight on CHQ had seats and knowing the flights were oversold the rest of the day for both my airline and CHQ was weighing heavily on me, and so I really wanted to get on this first flight that was 1/2 full.

As I rounded the corner to the gate I was relieved to see the agent and the knowledge that I had 12 minutes to spare. The gate agent looks at me and says "Sorry, the flight is closed and I can't re-open it" with a rather sadistic smile (I had seen this agent in a similar action before). As he is walking away I said "but the flight doesn't depart for 12 minutes", he just ignores me and walks away. So I did the only thing I could do, I walked to the terminal window and let the flight crew know I was there. I really felt this agent was being asinine and violating the basic principle of not treating others the way he would expect to be treated. And 12 minutes is 12 minutes, it isn't 2 minutes or the last minute.

After a few minutes the agent comes exploding through the now closed gate door and begins to yell at me and tells me, "When I close a flight it is closed, don't you ever go to the window and wave at the cockpit crew!" I don't work for CHQ, and this ***** trying to tell me what I can and cannot do! I found this incredulous. Even if I did work for CHQ, I work for chief pilots, not gate agents, and no gate agent is telling me anything. I told the gate agent that he has no business telling me what I can do or where I can go and his response is "Fine, your not getting on now!" In other words, I didn't sit there and let him yell and cower to him, so I don't get on.

Fortunately, the Captain came up to the podium and quietly stood by while this agent took the LESS THAN 1 MINUTE it took to list me. All the while the agent ranted about getting a delay and losing his job. It should seem obvious that job loss concerns were not the agents motivation in this circumstance from the get-go. As I walked away I still, after all this, thanked the agent (who of course had nothing to say) and was able to get home to see my sons first fall-ball baseball game. (I did convey this need to get to my family earlier but the agent was unconcerned, instead, allowing a 1/2 empty airplane to leave without me, or at least trying to anyway.)

It is only in the last 6 hellish years of my life have I appreciated the privilege of the jumpseat. I used to live in base but now have to commute, being unable both financially and personally to move to the Newark base. I appreciate the privilege that jumpseating is, I have always shown the utmost courtesy and appreciation to both the flight crew and the agents for assisting me in getting to work. I just wanted to emphasize the gem this ability is, how hard our pilots have worked to retain it, especially after 9-11, and our need as a group to safeguard it. This CHQ captain, who by the way ISN'T a commuter himself certainly understood this and again, thank you sir.

If anyone out there has any doubts about a gate agents sincerity, please walk up to the podium and check for yourself. In this case, the agent lied to the captain when asked if there was anyone left to try and get on the airplane. I know this is not always feasible but this jumpseating priveledge is so important to so many of us.

Thanks again to those of you who read this lengthy post. I am interested in any criticisms one may have of my actions and whether I was out of line. I don't believe I was, but then again I am emotionally close the events. Thanks again and happy flying!

I honestly thought this post was a tad far fetched. Not totally unbelievable, but a little out there...UNTIL TODAY!!

This is 100% true!! I met this gentleman (the agent)!! I, too, was yelled at and berated for no reason what-so-ever! I have already contacted my company's jumpseat coordinator who has sent this on to AA. For all you nay-sayers, I can remove all doubt about this post. This guy HAS to go!!!!!

 

[snap145]

I can't stand gate agents like this. Yes, I undrstand the 10min rule. We aim for the same thing at JB. But it IS possible to re-open a flight and be listed. I've had that done a couple times by some very stellar rockstar agents...and also have had the door "slamed" in my face when there was still FOURTEEN fvken minutes to go. F'n Comair agent in JFK.

I've had more good experiences than bad though...but the bad stand out more and seem to occur with last flights and full ones.

Ooo...Ooo...There was a Delta agent in ATL who wasn't going to let on about 12 non-revs (myself included)...time was running short. He wasn't very efficient and was running behind. I saw the screen say "Flight Dispatched"...everyone started questioning him. His response....WEIGHT AND BALANCE issues. A 737-800 going to MCO with good weather everywhere. I spoke up...loudly/firmly...and said NO, there isn't. There would NEVER be with this leg...I'm in uniform. Thankfully, another agent came out of the jetway and was curious as to why we all weren't cleared.

We all got cleared in a matter of seconds after SuperAgent rescued us.

I was so PISSED that this friggin tool was flat out LYING because he couldn't do his basic friggin job.

I hope to god none of our (Jetblue) agents pull crap like this. If they do, I want to hear about it.

Dont worry they didnt know you were in uniform with that blue shirt on...I kid...on a more serious note...wanna get me a job over there??? Hope you have a good sense of humour b/c I am a big JetBlue fan.

 

[Jabwmu]

Does anyone know how the CASS database works? What I mean is do you have to have an internet connection or is the database an application?

I ask because I was recently denied a jumpseat (I was listed as a nonrev on a full flight) and the gate agent refused to convert my listing to a jumpseat because the CASS system was down. She seemed pretty lazy and had about 17-18 minutes to departure. Also, wouldn't let me go down to the cockpit since I couldn't be listed anyway. This was a Mesaba gate agent in Dtw. Thanks.

 

[SizzleChest]

must have internet. Cannot be run from a back office. Data is hosted at AIRINC in Virginia.

 

[Jabwmu]

must have internet. Cannot be run from a back office. Data is hosted at AIRINC in Virginia.

Good to know. Thanks.

 

[aewanabe]

Good to know. Thanks.

However, you were still screwed by the agent. In the absence of CASS, same-color jumpseat riders that can still be confirmed in the airline's internal computer are still allowed. (EG you are NWA, it was a Mesaba flight using NW/DL's computer. She can still verify your employment).

 

[Jabwmu]

However, you were still screwed by the agent. In the absence of CASS, same-color jumpseat riders that can still be confirmed in the airline's internal computer are still allowed. (EG you are NWA, it was a Mesaba flight using NW/DL's computer. She can still verify your employment).

Didn't know that either. Thanks man.

 

[pipejockey]

Unfortunately because 2x's the work for half the pay!

An AA gate agent at the top of the payscale (10 years) is at 21 bucks an hour. For a 40 hour work week that comes out to $3360. That is significantly more than a regional FO who has put in far more work and time and expense to pursue his profession. What does a gate agent have in their job, not a profession, that would justify them being paid more than any pilot, regardless of airline, seat, or equipment. Also the fuelers are earning $20 bucks an hour. Now if these gate agents and fuelers put in a few hours overtime they are paid about $1000 more than a regional FO does per month. A month of up to 5 leg days, about 50 legs a month, up to 16 hour duty days and 35 to 40 hour on duty a week. Now compare that to the 6 legs a month and 9 days on the job a widebody pilot works.

The pay structure in this industry is absurd, and it is high time to do something about it. The days of sitting 2 years in the right seat at most regionals and paying your dues then upgrading and moving on to a major after 5 years is over for most. The pay structure needs to be corrected for this change in a pilots career path. I mean after all, the pigs in management continue to transfer more and more flying to the regionals in order to save money, the least they can do is share a little of that savings by paying regional FO's a livable wage. Paying your dues for a couple years at low pay in the right seat of a regional is one thing, but ask some 10 year FO's at Eagle, Horizon, and Comair about that. How long should they have to continue "paying their dues" while earning less than gate agents and fuelers.

 

[snap145]

Good to know. Thanks.

none the less..this is unacceptable...the XJ agents in Detroit are all atrocious....one week out of getting theyre GED's...next time find an XJ or 9E pilot and have them sneak down the jetway with theyre SIDA badge and go get the Captain for you...I have yet to meet a Mesaba or Pinnacle Captain that wouldnt work to get a mainliner on...this should never happen again