Perk of being a Flight Attendant: Bags

Posted in A Day in the Life of a Flight Attendant | 10 comments

Share on TumblrSubmit to StumbleUponSave on DeliciousDigg ThisSubmit to redditShare on MyspaceShare via emailShare

Trying to get home from work today was such a hassle. I landed in San Francisco at 10:45am, but there was no way for me to get home. All of the non-stop flights from SFO to Phoenix were sold out, as were the flights from Oakland but there was one flight from San Jose that might get me out of the Bay area.

Now, usually, when I non-rev in uniform I don’t have to adhere to the “1+1″ carry-on rule that the TSA put in place. For those not in the US, all passengers are allotted one personal item (laptop bag, purse, etc) and one carry-on (rollerboard, duffel bag).. this is supposed to apply to off duty crew as well, but no airline enforces it.

When I got to San Jose, I got to the gate and asked for a jumpseat form. The agent looked at her computer and said “well, stranger things have happened” shaking her head no, conveying the message that I wasn’t going to make it. I filled out the form and stood close by anyway.

I got called. Just as they called my name they announced the overhead bins were full and they had to start checking bags. As crew, I hate checking bags. I need my things to go to work and if they get lost.. I’m headed up the creek without a paddle. As she handed me my boarding pass, another agent was printing out checked bag tags for about 20 people. She told me to board and the agent there would “tag your bag.”

So, I walk over to board, and hear “uh uh uh uh.. You didn’t listen to me! I said, no more bags!” As I turned around, she saw my wings.. and quickly said “Oh! I’m so sorry! Let me get you a gate claim tag.” She tagged my bag to be delivered back to me in the jetbridge. Oh course some passengers saw this, and were upset.. to which the agent who issued me my boarding pass said “well, he’s crew — he’s treated differently.” She then turned to me, winked, and said “have a good flight.”

Thanks US Airways for taking care of me today.. and my luggage. With the condition of the airline industry and how our companies are treating us lately, every small perk and “act of kindness” to each other really counts and goes a long way.

Share on TumblrSubmit to StumbleUponSave on DeliciousDigg ThisSubmit to redditShare on MyspaceShare via emailShare
  • http://Aflightattendantslife.blogspot.com Allen

    I had the same problem today in ATL going to SNA I was the last person to get on the plane and they ran out of space. The gate agent wasn’t as nice with the gate claim tag I had to go to baggage claim and wait for my bag at the carousel!

  • http://dining.14850.com/ MHA

    I think “He’s treated differently” wasn’t the ideal way to put it to placate the other passengers, but I’m glad they took care of you properly. :-) I’ve generally found the US Airways cabin crews to be overworked but friendly anyway, and the gate agents to be overworked and often pretty unhappy. There are a few gems who are pleasant despite it all.

  • Bobby

    Allen, aww I’m sorry! SWA doesn’t do gate claims for anyone or anything but strollers.

    MHA, when I was at US we were overworked, but generally friendly; I agree. The gate staff, you’re also dead on about. I do feel for them.

    She was really pleasant to deal with. Probably also because I didn’t hover the podium and rush/hound her to information as to if I was going to make it or not.

  • http://brajit.blogspot.com Brad

    You know, I do have to say that US Airways is probably the most generous for CREW carry-on bags than most airlines out there. I’ve always been willing to check my bag when I get my seat, because they always put a “CREW” tag on them for me, for claiming on the jetbridge.

    As for American Airlines, it’s always to baggage claim, which is crap, especially when I have to connect to a different airline…I’d rather not go if that happens. And it isn’t because they don’t want to, it’s because their unionized rampers won’t carry bags up the jetbridge stairs. (I know, I used to work there.)

    At my airline, I do everything possible to get crew bags on the airplane, even by moving my own bags into the cockpit for the duration of the flight.

  • http://flythefriendlyskies.blogspot.com Megan

    Thats awesome that they are so nice to crew!!! It’s hard enough commuting before and after a trip so little instances like that really do go a long way for us! :)

    On my planes all rollarboards get pink tagged and received planeside. I know the little jets get crap from everyone but at least you don’t have to go to baggage claim, right?

  • http://www.gucciboss.com 2010mlb

    From this article I think I should take a bag when I go out.

  • Ben

    “well, he’s crew — he’s treated differently.”

    Probably could have been handled better by that agent… lol

    I’m not a flight attendant and I really find your blog interesting. It’s pretty awesome to hear about all the different things you encounter on a daily basis. I’ve been interested in aviation since I was a kid, and almost decided to go into commercial piloting, but decided not to for un-related reasons.

    I don’t mean this in a fowl manner, but I’ve observed that there is a very sharp criticism of passengers as a whole from not only you, but some of the f/a’s that comment on these blog posts. I feel as though you and some others that are f/a’s as well on this blog think that all passengers are bad, stupid, there to make your jobs a lot harder.

    I’m sure, in reality, you know that not all passengers are dumb… Probably almost all are fairly intellectual (although there are ALWAYS those few that could use a few more IQ points haha).

    I’m just saying that to judge too quickly about someone isn’t always a good thing. For example, if you were flying for the 2nd time in a couple years on vacation, you wouldn’t know what to expect. You might think that it’s just like a few years ago and you wouldn’t know how it changed since then. You could be thrown off by the beefed up security, and you would probably not have all your wits about you because your so disorientated. Furthermore, since they’re not used to flying, it’s hard to find where to go, how to act, and what to expect in flight.

    Playing devils advocate here, there are some that do know very well to expect and DO make your jobs harder. They make the experience for everyone worse because they expect more than what in reality they are paying for.

    I guess what I’m trying to say is, don’t be too quick to judge us recreational fliers. We don’t mean any harm, we’re just trying to get somewhere in a safe, fast, and (somewhat) reasonably comfortable manner. :]

  • http://flyingbachelorette.blogspot.com Flying Bachelorette

    Gate Check Valet is the story of my life when I non-rev. Thank you Checked Bag Fees!

    American….goes to baggage- according to my boyfriend who had his lost commuting to PHL from SEA….But that was because he jumpseated on American to Chicago ORD and then took US Airways to PHL. And the did recover his bag the next day and he was able to get it when he went back through PHL before heading out to his overnight. Otherwise- it would have been miserable.

    It’s a perk. I don’t think the agent was out of line. We weren’t there, so we don’t know her tone of voice. I think that the flying public needs to understand that as crew members, we are treated differently. If you want to get your bag valet-tagged, then become a crew-member :)

  • http://www.topfivefingers.com/ Five Fingers

    In my opinion , we should take a bag when we go out, in this way we can save our earth !

  • http://sheetpianomusic.info/ Sheet Music

    How did y’all get that photo to work with your comment? I want to get one! :)