Maybe I’m just overtired this week. I considered what to write and can’t get past the urge to absolutely share a pet peeve that I ran into today. It actually happens to be something I deal with on a frequent basis. It’s never my intent to be negative but I think there is a message here that might be important, and if not, I need advice to on how to deal with the situation better and am hoping you’ll help! You can imagine that with all the flying I get to do, that I’m in the TSA security line a lot. It’s a crap shoot as to whether or not TSA is kind or fussy. The same holds true for flight attendants.
So here’s the situation today: I’m standing in line waiting to get through security. Wait wait wait. No big deal. It’s part of the process. I usually meet some neat people in the security line. Often times, I even let people who are obviously about to miss a flight go in front of me. I can feel their anxiety and it’s just not worth it to witness or be a part of all of that pressure. Since 911 I typically get to the airport really early; I don’t need to frustration of being right on the verge of missing a plane. I digress…
So here I am, waiting patiently for my turn to get through security. And then it happens: Two airline employees – pilots – just cut to the front of the line. I gotta’ tell you this is APPALLING to me. Hello, everyone else in line is your customer. We pay your salary. I want to know WHY they think their time is more valuable than mine?! Why do they get to cut in the line? Why do they not need to play by the rules? I just don’t understand it. The front line staff in a family entertainment center would no more cut in the line at the snack bar during their break to get a coke than the man on the moon! You ALWAYS let the customer go first! Isn’t that the golden rule of guest service?
Every time this happens I get upset. AND it just gets better (worse really). Today, I finally get to the spot where I pick up the bins, take off my shoes, unload my liquids, pull out the laptop and as I turned to grab that laptop out of my suitcase two flight attendants had stepped up in front of me.
This chick (and yes I mean chick) turned to me and said, “Do you mind?” I’m telling you I must have been too tired because I responded with, “Does it matter?” She says to me in a haughty voice, “Well yes.” I took that to mean, “Of course it matters, I’m going to step in front of you and that’s how it’s going to be so if you really have anything to say about it too bad for you!” Unbelievably, I kept my mouth shut. That might be a first. My husband will be so surprised!
Let me be clear, I appreciate the job that these guys do. Maybe they even have a right to go to the front of the line. If they do, there ought to be some type of explanation. Because right now the way it looks is that it just seems like they think they are more important than the rest of us. I want to make the point again that I’m the customer!!! Why are you cutting in front of me?
Finally, I need to complete this rant and point out that I expect courtesy while I wait in line, and I expect courtesy when I get on the other side of the x-ray machine as well. I’ve waited patiently on the other side of security while airline employees have cut in front of me and families try to take their full bottles of shampoo with them. I’ve efficiently loaded my stuff up into the appropriate bins in order to keep the line moving. I’ve gotten my computer out in its’ separate bin so the TSA can make sure I’m not sneaking a bomb through in my laptop. My liquids are out and in the see-through baggie as required. I take off any jewelry that might set off any alarms. I’m very compliant about Xray screening and count it a bonus to be felt up in a pat down (just kidding).
SO, I don’t think it is too much to ask to give me more than two seconds to load my laptop back into the case, and grab my shoes, liquids, and jewelry off the belt! Do you think that’s too much to ask? BUT NO! Do you think that happened today? NO. I love it when they say, “Slide your bins all the way to the end,” and there are seven other bins in front of you and NO WAY to do that. If that’s not enough, the guy today just kept running the belt and the bin that had my jewelry smashed into the all the other bins and flipped my laptop over and my watch got caught in the rolly things!
I should have asked to speak to a supervisor. It just drives me crazy. Again, I really respect the job that these folks have to do. I believe in MOST cases they are doing the best they can to keep all of us safe. BUT It might not hurt to remember WHO pays the bills!
Shheeezzz, I thought writing this rant might make me feel better. Not so much. I’m still irritated. I’m open for advice. Does anyone have any suggestions? Please post here in the blog or on our Facebook page. I’m really looking for any good thoughts or ideas about how to better handle this recurring situation!
Thanks,
Beth
