Disabled?

[Peppergirl]

Related to me by one of my employees. I went and listened to the call and was really disturbed by what I heard.

Background: I'm a supervisor in a 24/7 emergency travel call center. The administrative assistant of the traveler called in to complain that there was no pre-assigned seat booked. This is common. It doesn't mean you don't have a seat on the plane, it just means that the agent who booked it was unable to assign a specific seat. It happens on probably 30 percent of bookings. The agent did her job and marked the itinerary about this, and the ticket was done almost 3 weeks ago.

Fast forward to today. The guy is leaving tomorrow, so of course that's the perfect time to finally READ your itinerary, and to call and complain to the emergency travel service about it.

My agent just kept repeating that the only solution is for him to get to the airport a little earlier than he normally would, and that they would assign the seat upon check in there.

The admin would.not.give.up. This circular conversation went on for about 30 minutes, involving increasing demands and near hysteria, and asking about going so far as to CHANGE the damned flight, but oh no - we can't pay penalties on it! Well then guess what, drama queen? It's not getting changed.

Finally the admin dropped the bomb:

Admin: "What about the Americans with Disabilities Act?"

Agent: "Um, what about it?"

Admin: "What if he has a disability? Do they have to give him a seat then?"

Agent: *Begins to google the info* "I'm really not sure. Let me check. Does he have a disability?"

Admin: "No, but he could pretend."


My agent sat dumbfounded for a second. A few seconds, actually.

Agent: "I don't think that would be appopriate, ma'am."


I called my agent and gave her HUGE props for handling it so calmly and with dignity. I'm not sure I could have done as well. Absolutely disgusting.

It also bears noting that this was the admin and traveler of a HUGE US governmental agency. How sweet.

**Oh, and guys...PLEASE keep this out of fratching. Refrain from focusing on on the disabilities act or the governmental agency. If anyone really wants to know, PM me. I'd hate to have to close my own damned thread. **

[fireheart]

What the fracking hell?!?!?!?!

Seriously, pretending to have a disability just so you get your preshus seat on a plane.....there is a special place in hell for people like him, who think that they are "entitled" to a specific seat for no other reason apart from "they can"

[blas]

My ma works for a travel agency.

This may explain why every morning she takes her anger out on me.

[Taz]

Since the guy is traveling tomorrow, I have to wonder if the assistant tried to do the flight check-in online. I've done this for coworkers before and been able to choose a specific seat in the process. If she didn't even try, then she is an idiot.

[Peppergirl]

My ma works for a travel agency.

This may explain why every morning she takes her anger out on me.

So you have 2 moms who work for travel agencies? Seriously - how did I not know that til now?

Since the guy is traveling tomorrow, I have to wonder if the assistant tried to do the flight check-in online. I've done this for coworkers before and been able to choose a specific seat in the process. If she didn't even try, then she is an idiot.

She tried. It couldn't be chosen online either.

What the fracking hell?!?!?!?!

Seriously, pretending to have a disability just so you get your preshus seat on a plane.....there is a special place in hell for people like him, who think that they are "entitled" to a specific seat for no other reason apart from "they can"

I got the feeling it was was *her* idea, but there has to be a reason she was acting like a total lunatic over the seat in the first place, ya know? He was probably making her life hell over it.

Not that that in ANY WAY excuses her behavior, mind you. They deserve each other. It really was hard to listen to.

[Food Lady]

"Why, yes, in fact, people with disabilities get privileged seating--on the wing."

[auntiem]

You know it has been awhile since I've been in the biz, but I always dreaded the admin assist. calls - mostly for this reason. It is redunk what adimin assist. will do to get what their boss wants (no doubt because the boss is making their life hell about it). My guess is that s/he told him he had a seat hoping that s/he could work it out before the flight.
Also, I had many clients whom for whatever medical reasons (MS, fibro etc.) would need special seats and wheelchair assistance only on "bad days" and they would be haveing a "good day" and not need it and be confronted about it despite the notes put in the rez. The kind of client you are talking about is probably why.
Again, because I've been out of it for a few years, isn't the newer rules that very few seats are assigned prior to 24 hrs unless you pay a special fare / fee or are of a special frequent flyer status? I'm thinking of BA in this case.

[Sheldonrs]

Is EWism a legit disability?

[Peppergirl]

"Why, yes, in fact, people with disabilities get privileged seating--on the wing."

Ha! I usually reserve the center seat in front of the bathroom for my true problem children. Er...wait...that would be unprofessional of me. Ahem. I mean, I'd NEVER do that!!

You know it has been awhile since I've been in the biz, but I always dreaded the admin assist. calls - mostly for this reason. It is redunk what adimin assist. will do to get what their boss wants (no doubt because the boss is making their life hell about it). My guess is that s/he told him he had a seat hoping that s/he could work it out before the flight.
Also, I had many clients whom for whatever medical reasons (MS, fibro etc.) would need special seats and wheelchair assistance only on "bad days" and they would be haveing a "good day" and not need it and be confronted about it despite the notes put in the rez. The kind of client you are talking about is probably why.
Again, because I've been out of it for a few years, isn't the newer rules that very few seats are assigned prior to 24 hrs unless you pay a special fare / fee or are of a special frequent flyer status? I'm thinking of BA in this case.

Yeah - even if a traveler is a jerk, I'd still much rather deal with him/her than with the admin. Too many people in the middle. And you're right, many of the airlines are resorting to paid seats. BA is a good example.

Is EWism a legit disability?

If it were, I think the amount of my 'disabled' custys would increase tenfold!

[MournBlade]

I really hate assholes like that, the few perks disabled people get do not in any way make up for being disabled.
Karma should smack them with the fleas of a thousand camels for even thinking about pretending to be disabled.

[Draco]

Oh, the assistant certainly sounds disabled. Just not a type that would get them any perks... Or sympathy.

[Mamochan]

I am pretty sure the guys is offended that he has to talk to someone at the airport. He feels that all he should ever have to do is walk there look at security and pass through then show his boarding pass at the gate. Basically unless you are his secretary you are beneath him to talk to you.

Bulleyes shot for EW IMHO.

[Mr Hero]

You'd think that a truly disabled person would make seating arrangements further in advance to make sure he's accommodated. But that would make sense.

[qwerty]

Currently I am working with disabled individuals. This attitude disgusts me. It is people like this that bring about the doubts that my clients face every day. They are often accused of not needing (insert service here) because they do not look disabled enough.

**side note** The people I work with have intellectual/developmental disabilities so there are often no outward signs for certain disabilities.

[TheCheerfulTreeRat]

Ha! I usually reserve the center seat in front of the bathroom for my true problem children. Er...wait...that would be unprofessional of me. Ahem. I mean, I'd NEVER do that!!

Whereas I virtually always get a seat on the overwing escape row, on the aisle. It must be my pleasant smile, it sure as hell isn't my good looks...

(More leg room and the seat in front of you can't recline)