Alaska Airlines - treated like a sack of *****.......

[Joeaksa]

Originally Posted by 450knotOffice

Sometimes the FA's get so caught up in an "on-time" departure that they start to get a bit stressed as the official departure time approaches, trying to get everybody down in their seats. This attitude can be directly placed on the backs of senior management who put big pressure on the employees to maintain the best possible on-time departure and arrival record. Employees (except for the pilots) can and are called into their supervisor's office if it's determined that they were the cause of a late departure - even ONE minute late. It puts a lot of pressure on everyone to leave on time and not be the one charged with the late departure. Interestingly enough, this requirement is brought on by the DOT which tracks this stuff monthly and makes it available as public information. How many times have we heard on CNN or some other such news outlet the rankings for airlines concerning their rate of late departures relative to each other? The airlines take this stuff seriously because it seems to have a direct affect on the number of people willing to purchase a ticket on XYZ airline.

I do understand the stress of a departure but I cannot stomach the attitude that many of them show these days with the "do what I say no matter what or we will call the TSA and have you removed from the jet".... there simply is no excuse for using a tool put at the airport to prevent terrorism to cover up your lack of customer service, a bad attitude or just a ********* FA. None...

[Jims5543]

Originally Posted by rattlsnak

I wouldnt go to first class. they usually board first anyway, but thats a sure way to get booted off the plane. Simply grab any seat you can find, when they show up, its ON!

Why would that get you booted, you were instructed to find another seat. You were following directions like a good passenger.

[BlueSideUp]

Originally Posted by 911Rob

I hate flying, its worse than taking the bus imo.

It's also cheaper than taking the bus.

I agree with Scott on his analysis. Unfortunately after September 11th crewmembers were told to not put up with passengers causing a "threat", some people don't understand common sense and realize when to apply the procedures you experienced.

I have seen fellow crewmembers that don't seem to understand what a passenger goes through on their way to the airplane. Usually for us it's an issue with carry-on bags, no one wants to give up their bags at the gate because they believe they'll be sent to Hong Kong. Reality is that a lot of bags won't fit into our overhead bins so we gate check them and the bags are returned at the destination. Some people love to argue with the FA that their bag will fit as if she doesn't fly on that airplane every day. There are many ways to handle the situation and some don't do it so well. As a captain I can certainly appreciate an FA that does a good job and can apply some common sense.

Unfortunately there are those in the business that enjoy the confrontation process and don't sympathize with anyone. Maybe that's what you experienced with this captain. Personally I have removed a few people from the airplane but only after using discretion and weighing out the whole situation.

I can only do so much to control the customer service you receive in the terminal, however I can make sure your experience on my aircraft is enjoyable (well as enjoyable as you can expect sitting in 13B next to the lav after the Medford Cheese Festival).

[Sapporo Guy]

The solution was simple. Go sit in a 1st class seat. When the 1st class passenger confronts you over the seat tell them the FA told you to sit there. Let them hash it out.

+1 I would have done this. Especially per this situation.

All the FA needed to do was say sorry, move him, and possibly offer some decent wine/drink instead of the cheap stuff in economy. This would have made the situation better.

In December on my way back to LA, somebody filled up the storage bins above the 3 seats I reserved. I then promptly told the FA to move the items. She kindly offered to have my bags put way in the back ... BS ... why should the 3 of us have to move are things just because some passenger brought too much crap onboard !? By then I was not in the mood to walk back and forth just to get a book or something. I then kindly requested to be moved a class up or have the bags moved.

Sure, I was a d@ck but still the FA should have tried a little more harder than pass the buck off on me.

lolo, the passenger back 3 rows finally got her stuff to help the FA out

The rest of flight was decent and even though the FA didn't smile once she reached me, she still did her job. Fair enough ... I'll probably fly the same company again. Definitely +1 for her dealing with a customer like me

[dagriff]

I think you are all missing the root cause.
I always get hassled because just like Craig, I am just to pretty to fly.