First in a series wherein I tell airlines how much they suck how I could run their business better than they can.
So I am back from Columbus and have finally recuperated from the abuse I put my body though. And no, I'm not talking about the heavy drinking. Although I did do some of that.
Nope, what I'm talking about is the transportation I took to and from Columbus...
Let me start out by saying that I used to love to fly. The thought of getting on an airplane used to make me excited (not like that, perve). Not so much anymore. I'm positive that anyone who has traveled at all recently (and wasn't lucky enough, endowed with enough miles, nor rich enough to fly first class) will agree, flying has really become unpleasant these days. Some of it has to do with the fact that my ass has grown, but mostly it has to do with all the corners airlines have cut in order to decrease operating costs.
Let's begin with the fact that there are no longer enough ticket agents to check people in. While automated kiosks seem like a good idea, what's the point when you still have to talk to someone in order to get your bag on the plane? I suppose this is why one hundred million annoying people don't check their luggage and try to stuff their kitchen sink into the overhead bins, but seriously, they have a cargo compartment for a reason...and it's not to kill pets, because if that were the case I just know they'd charge extra for that.
I always check. I'm a religious checker. I absolutely, positively loathe those who don't check. For many reasons, but mostly because I don't want to have to lug my suitcase into the airport bar (and subsequently the bathroom) and keep track of it every second so it won't get snatched and blown up. So, like I said, I check my bag like God intended (Luke 19:9). And because of this, I want to know what business flunky decided that one agent for 5 booths was a good idea? It's no mystery that this is done so they can hire fewer people and save labor costs. But these meager savings come at what cost? The line does not go faster this way, nor does it help the poor agents maintain quality customer service. I can't imagine that having to continuously hire and train and security check new agents is cheap. Nothing aside from an air-tight cost-benefit analysis will make me believe that that ding-dong decision wasn't made while the people in charge were high.
Case in point: Beard Boy and I were in line for a God forsaken 6:20 a.m. flight from Seattle and the agents were already harried by the rudeness of passengers. I'm sure hearing, "I just want you to do your job." while 4 other people waited impatiently wasn't the worst thing that poor lady heard that morning, but I was still appalled. I know those people don't make enough money to deal with that for long. I was just glad she didn't quit right before taking my bag, but from the look on her face, it wasn't long coming.
To bottom line it, let's hire back all the ticket agents that were laid off so there are enough to go around. Please? I think I'd pay extra.
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