Katie2

My husband and I recently flew into Phila. and had to take a commuter flight from Terminal F. When we arrived at the gate, we discovered our plane was there but no crew. The gate agent was busy chewing gum and talking to other gate agents. She was also quite rude. She finally told us our flight would be approx. 2 hrs. late. There was another flight leaving for our city but they refused to let us on because we didn't have our luggage with us. It was checked through. The same thing happened to us when we returned from Paris in June. Rude agent with a care less attitude.

Has this happened to anyone? I'm considering writing a letter to USAir but have to wonder what good it will do.

LoveItaly

Sounds like the ticket counter agents that Horizon has at the Sacramento Airport Katie. A smile would crack their face!

OldSouthernBelle

Our little experience was curious, but not nearly so aggravating as yours. We walked up to the person you check in with before getting our carry-ons checked and walking through the scanner.

There was a completely empty Q of the straps connected to poles, and she directed us (harshly) to walk through that maze to get to the scanner & X-ray machine.

Then 10 steps behind us, came 5 other people who she let directly through, skipping the maze altogether. They looked like average tourists, not VIP's. Of course, they reached the machine prior to us...what could that have been about? It really mattered little, but was irritating.

J62

If I have a choice I often find it a better use of my energy to take my business elsewhere rather than complain, especially if it's likely to fall on deaf ears. Same holds true for shopping (Walmart vs Target, Albertsons vs Safeway, etc), rental cars, airlines, etc.

If you are a captive US Air flier due to geography, or have elite status and are likely to fly US Air again, then maybe you'll get some satisfaction and token out of writing to the co.

LPCJr

Katie2,

Welcome to PHL (my home airport). I find this to be typical of the attitude exhibited by most of the US employees at PHL (especially Terminal F). Many of the employees exhibit that "special brand of Philly hospitality" - the I-could-care-less-about-you-don't-bother-me attitude. Unfortunately, this is all too common at PHL.

gail

For security reasons they are very careful about baggage going on one flight and passengers on the other if it happens in such a way that passengers can control it.

Andrew

US Air? Yep, the customer service I experienced in PHL (baggage service) in August was pretty apathetic. Lost a bag? Yeah, whatever, they'll get back to you within 24 hours. I did get my bag the next day, but the attitude at the time was like, "Who cares? What time is my shift over?" It would seem that at least part of the job of working in a customer service job is at least PRETENDING you care...

Andrew

cmcfong

I fly USAIR through PHL fairly often and have found the gate agents as a group to be unpleasant, unprofessional and sometimes downright hostile. A friend of mine who works for USAIR refers to the problems with connecting flights there as "The Philly Factor". Travellers depend on those gate agents for information and assistance when the unavoidable weather and mechanical delays occur. When the agents don't have a helpful can do attitude a bad day can quickly become a terrible one for the traveller.
Every single time I have a bad experience, I call customer service with USAIR. If you don't complain to the people who can fix it, you can't hope for change. Sometimes you even get something for your trouble.
I also make a practice of writing or calling when I experience good service. Compliments deserved should be delivered.

OO

OSB, you were a bigger person than I to have kept your mouth shut through that! Great Scott.

Isn't that the City of Brotherly Love? Not well exhibited I'd say...nor at their stadium either! Anyone going to the Eagles game from Tampa was warned (in Tampa) against wearing anything reflecting who they were rooting for. Nice.

OldSouthernBelle

OO:

We were 2 hrs. early, so I knew it really made little difference in the big scheme of things. I'm finally learning not to sweat the small stuff....doesn't mean I don't take note of it though!

Cher

I often fly through or to Philly on US Airways coming from Rochester -- That airport is very high on my list of worst airports, particularly the US Airways terminals for a multitude of reasons from layout, constant disorganization, long and slow security lines, frequent delays (both departing and waiting in planes on the ground for gates), and to top it off, indifferent and often rude treatment from workers ... Unfortunately this list is the norm and not the exception (as the above posters have also confirmed)!