(I am closing the ticket counter for the night. Our airline
believes very strongly on flights leaving on time, and as such have a
strict 30 minute cutoff policy. Anyone arriving at less than 30 minutes
to departure will not be allowed to check in. It is 27 minutes to the
last flight’s departure, and a man comes running to the counter, where
my coworker and her trainee are still at an open computer.)
Passenger: “I need to check in for this flight!”
Coworker: “I am really sorry, sir, but unfortunately you are
too late to make your flight. I will be glad to rebook you for a flight
tomorrow. May I see your ID?”
Passenger: “What do you mean I’m too late? The flight doesn’t leave until 9 pm!”
Trainee: “Yes sir, but we have a 30 minute cutoff for check in, and it’s 8:33 pm.”
Passenger: “It’s only three minutes!”
Trainee: “Yes sir, but you still have to get through security. We want the other 131 passengers on the plane to leave on time.”
Coworker: “I’m very sorry, sir, but it is too late. Like I said, I would be glad to book you on a different flight tomorrow.”
Passenger: “Your airline is stupid! I got your stupid credit
card because I thought you would respect loyalty! It’s the last flight
of the night and I’m going to be f****** stuck here until tomorrow!”
(The passenger continues to get increasingly angry and starts
yelling obscenities. Everyone around, including the employees of
airlines next to us, are staring. He is waving the credit card around.)
Passenger: “Fine! Rebook me for tomorrow! And give me that stapler!”
(My coworker hands him the stapler. The passenger uses the stapler
to split the credit card in half, then throws the pieces at my
coworker.)
Passenger: “I will never fly your airline again!”
Coworker: “Sir, I have been trying to help you, but I won’t
take this kind of abuse. Now, if you want me to continue, I will need
you to stop. Also, I would like to inform you that your flight was
actually for tomorrow.”
Passenger: *suddenly quiet* “Oh. My wife was supposed to call and change that.”
Coworker: “Well, she didn’t. Do you still want me to rebook you?”
Passenger: “Never mind. I’ll just call.”
*leaves*
Trainee: “Wow.”