"Brand X' airlines, may I help you?

[dragonflygrrl]

Wow, substitute Budget and any other rental car agency for Brand X and Y airlines, and I lived that story at least once a day in person at the rental counter. It was always a source of dark humour when some jerk would say, "I don't know why I bother renting from Hertz anymore, you always screw something up with my reservation," and I could look up at the huge bright orange sign behind me that said BUDGET and say, "Sir, Hertz is across the road. But thank you for stopping by." Or they would rattle off a confirmation number beginning with a Z, which meant Dollar, not Budget, and then insist that either their reservation was with Budget, or that they were in fact at Dollar. People. *sigh*

[Dips]

How am I supposed to remember all of those details, my secretary makes all of my travel plans and she is sick today!!!

Heh. Why do supposedly smart people deliberately put themselves in a situation where they are completely helpless without their secretaries? If she decides to demand a huge raise or quit, he's shafted.

[Freaking_Flyer]

Nope, it wasn't Mrs. Spears...can't say who it really was due to legal considerations and the fact they would beyond a doubt hear about this post eventually....
Actually the number of people who have nary a clue when or exactly where they are flying to is shockingly high, how someone can spend a good sum of money on something and STILL be so completely clueless is beyond me.

Another list of pet peaves of mine:
1) The SC's who call to pay for their reservation...but don't have the details in hand, need to rummage around for a good three minutes looking for them while I'm waiting...When they finally find the information, THEN they don't have their credit card...could you hold on while I go look through a multitude of places where it might possibly be?
<and I'm to say what in response, no?>
2) The SC's who call from a cell phone while driving down the freeway WITH the windows open, radio on AND someone else in the car they are talking to at the same time! Then it is my fault when they can't hear me...could you speak up a little?
3) SC's that call from the bathroom...while using the facilities provided, like I need to hear 'tinkle tinkle little stream' or plop!...thanks for sharing!
4) Eating while calling, crunchy food being chewed in my ear is not appreciated! Let's make that one better! Have a screaming baby over your shoulder WHILE crunching chips, an apple...whatever. Call and then eat or finish eating before calling, multi-tasking is one thing, but don't be surprised if seat 33E (center seat right next to the bathroom) appears with your name on it when you do!

[Jester]

Wow , I never thought I'd hear about an executive who literalay can't do anything without their secretary.

My mother was a secretary for her whole working career (though near the end of her career, her title was "executive assitant"...same damn thing), and I can tell you that yes, there are many many people who cannot do a damn thing with their secretary. Luckily, I inherited her organizational skill, diplomatic telephone ability, and typing talent (though not quite her speed, as fast as I am). All of which have been blessings, I can tell you.

Heh. Why do supposedly smart people deliberately put themselves in a situation where they are completely helpless without their secretaries? If she decides to demand a huge raise or quit, he's shafted.

Not really....because there are plenty of other very talented secretaries....excuse me, executive assistants who are out there ready to step up from their current job.

Edited to add: Though yes, it would take a bit for the new person to get up to speed. (See, there's your love Broom!)

[Broomjockey]

I think the point was all the information that goes bye-bye with the "exectutive assisstant" because the guy doesn't know where anything is and it would probably take a couple days to a) find someone new, and b) get this new person organized and find everything in the old person's filing system.