![]() |
Rude customer service
My daughter (17) was traveling to a program at University of Iowa today and was being met at the airport before 4pm. So we parked at the wrong terminal (construction redirect) and got to check in 42 minutes before our flight and were directed to the kiosks for check in. When the kiosk told us to check with check in, were told that she would have to take another flight and go to check in. Excuse me - tell me the whole story Ms. Laurine Woodson. You mean she could still be on the flight but could not check her baggage? We went to check in and the gentleman was going to check us through once I explained the situation. However, he asked Ms. Woodson for a blue tag and she refused! Not only that she was rude and unsympathetic. Tell me my options Ms. Woodson - isn't that your job as the supervisor. I then asked for her supervisor and was told that she was at the gate. How can I talk to her without a ticket I asked? She smirked. After deciding to send her without her bag and seeing her off, I went back to check the bag for a later flight. Lovely Ms. Woodson then told me that wasn't possible - how about some customer service? Tell me my options be human. Never again Delta Airlines!:mad::mad:
|
Sadly, a familiar tale with Delta...
|
efj, first off, there are agents in every company that do not hold up the standard of customer service we would hope, and I want to apologize for the fact that you had to meet and interact with one within our company. There are those who will say that everyone that works for Delta is this way, but I can assure you we are not. Now, to address your problem, which airport was your daughter flying out of? There are cutoff times for check-in to avoid passengers missing flights or luggage not making on the flight and being separated from the customer. I know you had to park at a different terminal due to construction, but would it have been possible to drop her off so she could check-in, then meet her in front of security to say goodbye? Also, I am curious what you mean when you say a "blue tag"? I am not familiar with any bag tags we have that are blue. And just a heads up... Since your daughter voluntarily separated from her bag, albeit her only choice at the time, they will not deliver it to her. All this said, I would encourage you to write to Delta here and/or call them at 1.800.221.1212 and/or write a snail mail letter to Delta Air Lines, P.O. Box 20980, Atlanta, GA 30320-2980. We need to know about bad apples in the bunch so they can be coached on how to better handle this in the future. Thanks for flying Delta, I hope you will give us another try.
|
reply
I had a feeling I would get a faster response from a website than from posting it to Delta, and that was the case. I posted first to Delta. I might have the color of the tag incorrect but the point is, this agent was willing to listen to my dilemma and give a human response. Ms. Woodson could only spout off rules which didn't give me any options and made me mad as hell. I feel the bag could have went on another flight and then I could have had a service take it to my daughter at the University of Iowa but was told that they couldn't do that. I went to send the bag via UPS and it cost $135! If your only concession is that you will train Ms. Woodson to be more emphatic, great. This is the responsibility of companies such as yours if you want to stay in business. However, it would take more for me to choose to travel with Delta in the future.
|
This was out of Philadelphia-city of brotherly love.
|
Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
Again, thanks for flying Delta, I hope this issue gets resolved and you will try us again in the near future. |
Delta's (as well as US Air and United) cutoff time for check-in with bags is indeed 45 minutes. The info is on their website here.
While you were admittedly checking in after this time, it was only 3 minutes and there shouldn't have been a problem getting both your daughter and her bags on the flight. I still think the situation was handled poorly. I looked up Ms. Woodson in our corporate directory and she is indeed a supervisor, which makes this failure all the more embarrassing. Again, please write to Delta so that this can be rectified. |
Boy, I wish it had been you there instead of Ms. Woodson. You know, all consumers hope for is to be treated in a way that is respectful and fair. I can deal with bad new but in that situation with teenager in tow, I need options and the courtesy of an explanation. I will write a letter to Delta(I've already written a post on the customer service portion of the website) and thank you for your response.
|
Quote:
Regardless of the fact that you work for Delta and feel the need to over-apologize and make yourself look good, why don't you contact Ms. Woodson and get her side of the story? It is entirely possible that this passenger is exaggerating and may have been a lot later than 3 minutes. Also if you weren't there, how could you possibly know the tone or dynamics of any conversation?. If Ms. Woodson is indeed a supervisor, it would stand to reason that she already has a lot of customer service experience and does not need more "training". Sounds like she was doing her job correctly and typically, this passenger, like so many others cannot take a negative response; in other words cannot take a "no" answer. You should be more open to learning both sides of the story before you direct people to write and call, thereby serving as one-sided judges and executioners. Also, the moderators should **** out personal names of airline employees. |
Quote:
But, now the consumer knows to try and avoid Laurine Woodson, because she has a 'tude. What is wrong with that? Why should they block out the name? The power of these sites is in the detail. Perhaps in future, when Laurine Woodson wants to cop an attitude, she will hesitate, if she knows her actions will be publicly exposed. Just like the infamous AA orange juice nazi. I think these sites should name and shame. If Luarine Woodson wants to put her side, she can come on here and post her reply. What could be more democratic than that? It's freedom folks... (Incidently, you don't fancy posting your name on here do you.. because you sound like the kind of nightmare airline employee we should also be avoiding). |
Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
|
Quote:
I have never really spoken out about this that I can remember but I truly believe that allowing last names here is wrong. Not my site and I'll abide by the rules but if I had my last name pasted across here, I would NOT be a happy person. Most passengers don't give their full name here as that is their option. An employee who has no control over what a passenger writes, is not afforded the same consideration. His/her last name can be thrown around willy nilly as previously done here. Then a comment that if the employee wanted to defend him/herself, all they would have to do is come here and do that. Absolutely bonkers to use that rational. How many airline employees are on this forum?? A miniscule percentage of a small number to the far right of a decimal point. They have no knowledge their name is here or even knowledge of this site, most likely. This will not change the policy of names being used here but I feel a little better now. :) |
Quote:
I don't fancy posting my name here because cranky customers could use it; any lies could be told and I would have no defense. I'm sure you wouldn't want your name all over the internet concerning the Health Care business you are in. Really, is your last name Worcs ??.....highly doubtful. Also, your last statement about a person not "fancying" posting their name would, for the same reasons, apply to your friends here on this thread - "efJ" and "JustMe". Obviously those are not names but initials or monikers. |
Quote:
|
Quote:
Thank you, appreciate your viewpoint. I, too, have to wear a name tag (prefer first initial and last name). We are not allowed to cover it up or hide it with another piece of clothing (jacket or sweater). At least you have acknowleged that some (not most) passengers are very difficult (if not impossible) to please, no matter what we say or do. I'm not defending bad things that happen to passengers at the hands of uncaring "customer service" agents; goodness knows I've worked around a few very bad apples but conversely passengers take names and then totally lie about situations. Wearing my name (with pride) at my place of business for United is one thing; having it flung all over any airline internet site or any other complaint site is quite another. If that's the case then airline employees should feel free to post the names of the most obnoxious, weird, rude screwballs they have ever encountered. |
Quote:
Quote:
|
Quote:
|
Troy, I think the notion that it is a violation of federal law is maybe a bit too much. The regulation reads something like "the employees ID must be work on the outer most garment above the waist" but I don't think it specifically says anything about your name must be visible. I realize that's nitpicking the wording, but it's kinda like state laws saying that your license plate has to be visible, but they make products that supposedly block cameras from certain angles. The plate IS visible, but not necessarily readable from all angles. I don't think you would be hassled too much about putting a rubber band around your name whilst leaving the rest of the valid ID visible. As long as you don't physically alter the ID, I think you'd be ok. I have in the past been challenged by TSA and FAA inspectors walking around in secure areas checking IDs, and not one of them ever cared that I kept my ID inside my vest. To me, it always seemed like a safety hazard to have something dangling from my neck just waiting to get caught in all kinds of equipment. I kept it tucked in, and never had a problem as long as I could produce one and it was valid.
|
Then you have been lucky. My co-worker had his tucked inside his shirt for the very same reason you mentioned. He wore it around his neck with a strap so it would dangle in front of him. An FAA inspector saw him, asked him where his badge was and when produced, was blessed with a ticket of some sort. Wasn't a fine so I guess some sort of warning.
Like I said before, it must be visable on your outer most garment above the waist. And unaltered. Some newbie inspector looking to make points with his boss could easily say a rubber band conveniently over the name portion of the badge is altering it. Not trying to nitpick, just stating what I've seen and think. |
I cannot understand what the fear of people knowing your name is. I work with people with acquired brain injuries. It is common for them to have significant problems managing their anger and to mis-judge situations. It would not be unusual for a client to become angry at me, or a member of my staff, perhaps justified sometimes not. We always tell our clients our names. What difference does it make?
Have you guys ever been on hotel review sites? It is not at all uncommon for someone in a review to say, "the owner, Mr. Basil Fawlty, is a delight and couldn't do enough to help" or alternatively, "the owner, Ms. Laurine Woodson, must have picked up her hospitality training at Delta, as she was a nightmare". It is just opinion. Basil can come on and say thanks, and Ms. Woodson can come on say.. "this customer was rude, abrasive and nothing could please them". In the end, what harm has been done. The most famous internet response to bad service is the United breaks guitars video. In that case, United had acted very badly and the name of the Customer Service Representative who had stonewalled the customer was named. When it was a giant corporation crushing a "little customer" United had no interest in putting right the wrong, and was arrogant and dismissive. When the customer hit back, and millions of people started paying attention to the case, United was tripping over itself to pay for the guitar. The internet offers some chance for the little guy to fight back against the power and arrogance of corporations and I say more power to them. Quote:
If Ms. Woodson doesn't know her name is being "flung around the internet" then ignorance is bliss. If she does, she can reply. What is wrong with that? Quote:
Quote:
|
Quote:
5) Is AirlineComplaints.org run by the airlines themselves? No, they are run by us, who never have been or will be an employee of any airline. This ensures the complaint forums remain independent and objective and out of the control of the airlines and in the control of the customers - the way it should be. On more than one occasion it has been proven that one who is criticizing an airline or an airline employee can get away with saying pretty much whatever they want, calling people names, using foul language, so on and so forth. But as soon as someone utters a single word in criticism towards a passenger, red flags go flying, warning emails get sent, and either temporary or permanent banning take place. Do not take what I am saying to mean that I think that it is ok for the airline employees on here to return the hate (that gets spewed at us constantly) in a malicious manner, nor do I think this is a place to come and voice complaints or war stories about passengers unprompted. But I do think that if the situation warrants an employee telling someone to get a grip, that it shouldn't result in sanctions against the "offender". There are countless "complaints" on here that have absolutely NO credible basis for complaint. People mad at the airline because a tornado delayed their flight, mad because we charge them money for a bag that weighs 150lbs, mad because we didn't serve them steak and potatoes when they paid $98 for their ticket. (I know service isn't what it used to be 20 or 30 years ago, but that's what passengers get when they demand tickets for under $100) Give me a break, and take your whining somewhere else. Save the forum for actual complaints that need to be heard and resolved. |
Mr. Worcs.......if that's your real name.......it's not the fact that someone's last name is posted here, it's the fact that it was posted without their permission and they have no knowledge of it and no way to defend themselves.
You have to agree that there are some crazies walking around this planet. If a customer knows your last name, it is not so hard to find where they live, work (which they already know) if you have a family and if they are persistant can certainly find out alot more. I'd rather this be my choice to post my last name on an internet site. Not a disgruntled passenger's choice. |
Judge...
(If you are real judge. I assume you are a retired judge, but who knows with this pesky internet). The whole point of us having names is so that we can identify each other. I know, lets all just get numbers. So 12345, that bitch 74353 was really nasty. I have a good mind to report her to 84934. If I ever see 74353 again, I will give her a piece of my mind. and If she is not careful I will set 98377 on her. If Ms. Woodson has a defence, let her post it on here. Make no mistake, this complaint wasn't about policy per se. It was about attitude. She has a perfect right to come on here and defend herself; or she can leave it stand because she knows perfectly well that she copped an attitude on that day...in contrast to her colleague, who clearly hadn't been with Delta long enough to learn the "delta way". |
And the winning number is...
Jimworcs wrote:
I know, lets all just get numbers. I brought up this idea some time ago as one answer to complaints about employee behavior. A number responds to Just Me's rightly stated concerns about the crazies in this world. Only airline management would be able to match an actual name to a given number. Still, some airline employees/sympathizers on here (I honestly can't remember who) have stated that even making employees display numbers amounts to some kind of endangerment to the employee. This kind of thinking makes no sense whatsoever and makes me wonder if these same people are closet (or actual) customer bashers. In any case it's encouraging to see that Delta is, at least, willing to pay lip service to the idea that some kind of identification--even "Sam J."--should be visible to the customer. |
Numbers are fine. They can easily identify the employee to the company yet keeping the anonymous to the public. I like your idea.
Also, you keep mentioning that the employee can just come here and defend herself. I believe that if this is the reasoning used, this site should make every effort to contact that employee so that she can do just that. Her name is being used here with no defense. Her personal information that she did not give permission to be used in a public forum and has no way to know about it. I think it should fall on the site it's used on to let her know that she has a complaint made against her and would she like to respond. I think that is fair, don't you?? |
Quote:
I kind-of like the idea of numbers, aside from the fact that it would make the people wearing them feel like prisoners. :) Police have badge numbers, and when someone is upset and wants to file a complaint against an officer, what do you always hear them yell? "What's your badge number!?!" (Bold cause they're yelling!) It's because it is an anonymous way for the complainant to identify who they are complaining against. I know, I know... cops also wear name badges, but they normally only say "Officer Judge" or "Detective Butch" or "Sergeant Jimworcs" or "Captain Justme" (I know that list was longer than it needed to be, I didn't want to leave anyone out... notice I'm the captain! :D) They, like Delta, do not require a full name on the name badges. |
I was being a bit facetious about the contacting the employee but it really wouldn't be that hard. Her full name is given and where she works. Call the 800 number, ask to be connected to a certain city or what that phone number is and when they are called, ask to talk to the manager. The whole process would take just a few minutes, depending on the wait time for the 800 number.
|
You should know better Judge
Quote:
Quote:
|
Yes........the 800 number. I think you know exactly what I mean.
Happened all the time in the city I worked. People would call the 800 res (for the sake of justme) number cuz the local station numbers are unlisted (for good reason) and they can forward the call. It's not a hard thing to do and was done all the time where I worked. And I am not saying to ask if she is an employee as we all here know she already is. I'm saying to ask for the manager of the station to give him the story to let her know her name is being used here. Or even email corporate to at least make them aware and let them decide if they want to contact the employee and it would also make them aware there is a complaint coming to them or already there. Seems fair to me to let the employee at least have a chance to get here to respond. |
I was joking about the numbers.. I can't believe how many of you think that is a good idea! Judge, if you go to a restaurant and it is lousy, do you think you should have the permission of the owner before you bad mouth them publicly? Should you be prevented from naming the bad waiter? If not, perhaps you think it should only apply to the internet. (In which case, I assume you will be calling for Trip Advisor to be banned, which names people as do many other "review" websites). Or perhaps, you just think it is only airline employees who should get this special protection. We can also kiss goodbye to movie reviews, critical reviews of actors unless they are notified and given a right to reply, restaurant critics, consumer websites, etc. It would be like the kind of trouble you get into if you criticise the King in Thailand, and who would be comfortable there? Oh yeah, sorry.....
For pities sake stop saying she can't defend herself. If she doesn't know she has been attacked, she doesn't need to defend herself. If she does, she can come on here and post her "right to reply". Which part of the first amendment are you opposed to? Freedom of speech is NOT a new concept...it was enshrined in the British Bill of Rights of 1689, the French Declaration of the Rights of Man in 1789, European, American and African Charters of Human Rights and the US Constitution. I can't believe how readily you, as proud Americans, are willing to give up this hard fought human right, to protect the feelings of a Delta Supervisor with a bad attitude. |
I was joking about the numbers.. I can't believe how many of you think that is a good idea! Judge, if you go to a restaurant and it is lousy, do you think you should have the permission of the owner before you bad mouth them publicly?
Not quite the same I would say. The restaurant is promoting themselves by name. An airline agent isn't. Should you be prevented from naming the bad waiter? Yes, by name and location of work. If not, perhaps you think it should only apply to the internet. (In which case, I assume you will be calling for Trip Advisor to be banned, which names people as do many other "review" websites). Up to them, I do not frequent their site. Or perhaps, you just think it is only airline employees who should get this special protection. We can also kiss goodbye to movie reviews, critical reviews of actors unless they are notified and given a right to reply, restaurant critics, consumer websites, etc. Again, not quite the same as an employee of an airline. Actors/actresses have given their name to the movie and therefore are free game and in fact, love publicity, good or bad. An airline agent does not lend his/her name to the airline It would be like the kind of trouble you get into if you criticise the King in Thailand, and who would be comfortable there? Oh yeah, sorry..... The trouble for doing that would not be quite the same. Jail as opposed to what, a talking to by a manager??? For pities sake stop saying she can't defend herself. If she doesn't know she has been attacked, she doesn't need to defend herself. If she does, she can come on here and post her "right to reply". Which part of the first amendment are you opposed to? Freedom of speech is NOT a new concept...it was enshrined in the British Bill of Rights of 1689, the French Declaration of the Rights of Man in 1789, European, American and African Charters of Human Rights and the US Constitution. I can't believe how readily you, as proud Americans, are willing to give up this hard fought human right, to protect the feelings of a Delta Supervisor with a bad attitude. Never did I say I was opposed to any of what you said, only that if named, an employee should be given a fair chance to respond. Do you disagree with that?? We will never agree on this but it's a fun debate and I know the site will never do as I suggested so I guess it might be better to let this thread rest, at least for me. Feel free to carryon as I'll look in but see no need to respond as we are too far apart. I am striking, just like BA. Btw and off topic, what's the lastest with them? |
Fine, lets agree to disagree.
On BA.. the management are currently recruiting new staff on new contracts.. the union are balloting their members about further strike action in August (peak summer holiday disruption). However, the overall feeling is that the FA's have lost this battle. BA are increasingly able to operate even during the strike. In truth, even the union is now fighting primarily to save face. The original dispute was over a reduction from 14 to 13 FA's on long haul flights. The union seems to have conceded this point. However, BA warned any staff who went on strike that they would withdraw their flight concessions. (These are a voluntary benefit and not contractual). The FA's are now demanding these be restored. It is vital for some of them as they "commute" from Europe to LHR to get to their jobs, using the benefit. I think it is largely over. The truth is, some cabin staff earn up to £40K per annum. It is unsustainable in the current market. |
to get back to the original subject I can tell you for a fact that unless you have a supervisor sign in. the computer literally inhibits you from checking the bag in even 1 minute late. there used to be an entry we could do to get around this by "inserting times" basically we told the computer that the flight left at 4:30 instead of 3:30 and then we were able to check the bag in...re-insert the correct time and be done with it. not all agents know of this entry. but enough people knew of it and were abusing it, so they took it away from us. for security reasons we are also required to check your bag in on the same flight that you travel so if we couldn't check your bag in for the first flight we can't just send you and then send your bag later. this really isn't commenting on the behavior of the agent in PHL but i did want to share some information with everyone to let them know a little bit about why the agent wasn't able to 1) just take the bag and take a chance that it makes it and 2) just send the bag on a later flight hope this helps a little
_______________________________ the views and opions expressed here are my own and not those of Delta Air Lines |
| All times are GMT. The time now is 4:57 PM. |
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2026, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.