![\"user-pic\"](\"/css/images/default.gif\")
I guess that word will kill about 80% of there repete business. Oh crap did I say kill?
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-490080-100x100.png\")
@frodo_35: And if you ever, by some remote chance, received unusually good service, DO NOT describe your experience as \"bomb\".
(Sorry)
@frodo_35: Consumerist! We have a security issue with this one! I would suggest interrogating this one for many many hours before allowing new comments posted by \"frodo_35\".
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-142052-100x100.png\")
If you fly, UsAir should be on your no fly list.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-32179-100x100.png\")
James: \"I would rape baby Jesus with a pipe bomb\"
@The Dude: Not trying to be specifically offensive... I'm trying to point out how crazy the customer service nazis are. Its not like James actually said that, which would be out of line. The poor guy said he'd be angry.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-124903-100x100.png\")
@AngrySicilian: Consumerist Editors: Can we not get a little filtering of the comments? This is too much..
@The Dude:
Did you miss the hissy fit that a commenter threw when a Consumerist used the term rape in the OP? Grow a pair and move on.
There should be a little more red-tape to add people to no-fly lists. Especially since these incidents usually are shared amongst airlines and I think possibly the FAA.
Making the word \"angry\" an automatic red-flag is ridiculous and is analogous to saying any email with the world 'newsletter' is spam.
Frankly, this seems to be an abuse of power. \"You don't like us? Oh, then you're not flying with us. Ever. Or any of our sister and partner airlines.\"
The FAA should put their foot down on this practice.
Just another reason not to fly USAir. Like we needed more.
If I have to do linguistic acrobatics to tell them that I'm terribly displeased with their service without getting flagged as some kind of CONSUMER TERRIST, they're obviously putting customer service on the lowest level of importance.
I mean, who knows how many synonyms of \"angry\" they're looking for? Enraged? Irate? Infuriated? Apoplectic? Do they have thesaurus.com at the ready in case somebody hits on a word they might not know?
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-529488-100x100.png\")
@Ubik2501: I lost it when I hit \"apopleptic\".
I couldn't help thinking of some red face boggle eyed man screaming over the ticketing counter.. lawl.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-87429-100x100.png\")
\"Sir, my angrometer tells me you would like to strangle me due to the fact my airline just ruined your whole vacation and you don't get another vacation day until 6 months from now, and with readings like this, I am afraid I will have to ground you.\"
\"It tells you all that, does it?\"
\"Sir, the needle just went off the gauge, security, get me ED-209\"
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-116400-100x100.png\")
@Saboth: What's the line from Futurama? Fry's saying something like \"I don't regret this, but I both rue and lament it.\"
@Saboth: After being cleared from US Air's no-fly list, James thought everything was great, until he tried to board the plane.
ED-209: \"HALT! PRESENT BOARDING TICKET!\"
James: \"Here you go.\"
ED-209: \"SECOND REQUEST: PRESENT BOARDING TICKET!\"
James: \"But, I have it right here...\"
ED-209: \"SECURITY BREACH! SECURITY BREACH!\"
*BOOM* *BOOOM* *Machine gun fire*
Ticket agent: \"Well, I guess Mr. Anger will think twice before trying to fly with us again!\"
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-332258-100x100.png\")
Yet \"Mad\" makes the cut....
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-557375-100x100.png\")
@rpm773: That's because \"mad\" is a colloquial term for \"mentally ill\", and we can't discriminate against them, now, can we?
Price match? Won't they charge you the same fee they charge anyone for changing their tickets?
@Corporate_guy: USAir, yes. They will \"price match\" to the current price plus a $150 change fee.
Compare that to Jet Blue where they gave me a credit for the difference good for a future flight. Seems fair to me. Too bad I have so many miles on US and Jet blue doesn't fly out of Reagan...
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-83488-100x100.png\")
@RagingBoehner: out of Reagan
</wince> You mean National Airport?
Many Washingtonians continue to be very angr... er, I mean to say nonplussed, that Congress bullied us into renaming our city's airport after that fiscally hapless senescent who in the days of his power showed us so much contempt. May I commend to you and everyone the older appelation \"National\"?
Seriously, why does anyone fly US Airways anymore?
@GeorgetteAgamedes: A330s with AVOD for TATL flights; comfortable Embraer 190s for domestic flights.
@Triborough: Nice...way to ignore that an A320 is about 44% US content by dollar value, or that the A380 is 54% US content with EA engines...and that the Dreamliner is 47% US content by $$ value.
@APFPilot: What's so bad about Airbus? Our pilots love them, the pax love the extra width, the CFM's on an A320 are much quieter in cabin vs. the CFM56 on a 737 (the IAE Buzz Saws are another story), the mechanics love the ease of getting to things, and us in management really like the low cost of operations. Remember..these birds are leased...so what if they don't last 40 years?
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-83385-100x100.png\")
@GeorgetteAgamedes: Automatic upgrades to \"First\" Class on domestic flights for preferred members.
@sleze69: Awesome! After a handful of truly awful flights on which you're charged for bottled tap water you are eligible to become a member of the Elite Disgruntled* and get to fly first class.
*so long as your disgruntled state does not involve anger
@TheStonepedo: Actually to get to preferred status today, most people have to have flied during the good old days of free drinks.
But clearly you don't travel frequently for your job to realize all the perks that come with getting upgraded to first class.
@GeorgetteAgamedes: Also, as I mentioned above, they have more non-stops from Reagan than any other airline by far. So mostly I put up with it because it's not that much different than any other legacy carrier and it's better than changing planes.
Will dripping sarcasm also land you in trouble with security?
\"Yes, Ms. Customer Service Rep in Bangalore, I'm going to be absolutely delighted to be on your flight that I paid $150 more than the fine gentleman sitting next to me. Nothing could make me feel happier than the knowledge that I'm helping US Airwaves in their time of need to stay afloat. I appreciate the opportunity to be of assistance.\"
Anyone else enjoy the fact that Google ads put a US Airways advertisement in here!
I know I am....
![\"user-pic\"](\"/mt-static/support/assets_c/userpics/userpic-255368-100x100.png\")
@cynical_bastard: So click on it. Let US Airways hel p support The Consumerist. Heaven knows US Airways won't support their customers...
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-68654-100x100.png\")
you know, i have no problem with a ticketing agent notifying a security officer b/c you said you were \"angry\".
what i have a problem with is that said security officer doesn't tase the piss out of any ticketing agent that would approach him/her with a complaint such as this.
seriously, TSA agents. i know the competency boat sailed a long, long time ago, & there's no way you're gonna catch up to it, but at least look at it this way: you get to use your taser.
@mac-phisto: What gets me isn't that they would put an angry, abusive passenger on their list, it's that they're putting a guy on the list for anticipating/threatening that he would get angry. Where's the Minority Report when you need it?
I can think of about a couple of dozen other words they should be looking for, but angry? Seriously?
Next time, try using descriptions in another language like, say, Yiddish. The insults mixed with English are just funny sounding enough that you'll come off as a non-threat and even make them feel bad if they try to ground you for no apparent reason. No clue if it will work or not, just thought it would be funny to try out.
@Pandrogas: note to security: pax in seat 42a is a foreigner. he made what sounded like threats in either a-rab or i-ranesian. recommendation for full cavity search.
@mac-phisto: See? That's why you have to make sure under no circumstances to use gutterals in any language as that will almost assuredly be taken as Arabic by security personnel who have probably only heard the language in comedy sketches and movies.
Yiddish on the other hand is a European / Jewish influenced dialect that most people have heard one or two words of already. Use the right accent and you can probably pass yourself off as someone from NYC. Or at worst, a sterotypical Jew who will then be considered very non-offensive because of the copius amount of stereotypical Jewish humor.
There's a madness to my method. ;)
@Pandrogas: i understand your method, i just don't share your confidence in the abilities of most agents to understand/care enough to know anything other than \"foreigner = terrorist\".
@mac-phisto: It's a soacial experiment to see if the agents respond to everything as a threat or if they are just as affected by popular media and racist stereotypes as everyone else. Reactions will vary by airport and agent. Probably not wise to do this all vigilante style, but it would be neat to see the results.
Why people bother to fly US Airways is beyond me, they nickle and dime for everything yet their fare is almost never cheapest.
This latest installment of security theatre brought to you by a bunch of people who have no idea what they are doing...
I really wish the government would stop bailing companies out so CEOs who choose to reward/participate in moronic behaviour would finally see their businesses fail and companies run in a reasonable manner could take their place.
So who here wants to sit next to Pissed-Off guy on their next flight? A security risk, ok, probably not. But a potential customer service (ie, the other, non-whiny customers) issue, certainly. I'm tired of people getting what they want by threatening to be unpleasant, causing a disturbance, and generally throwing a temper-tantrum.
And hasn't fluctuating ticket prices been pretty well known about for decades? His fee for knowing that the flight wasn't sold out turned out to be $150. Besides, the guy behind him probably paid $200 more than he did- should he be \"angry\" on the flight too?
ROTFLMAO! It amazes me what passes for \"customer service\" these days. We have now officially become a society afraid of words.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-488475-100x100.png\")
I had just logged out when this story popped up, and I had to log back in just to say that picture is priceless.
Thanks for making me ROTFL.
This reminds me of Demolition Man, pretty soon we are going to get tickets coming out of unknown places for saying words out loud.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-211131-100x100.png\")
I'm sure when James clarified to say he was \"angry, but not angry enough to you know, bring one of those bombs I have in my garage with me to the airport,\" they cleared him to fly.
I'm also picturing a TSA agent ordering everyone to \"Smile!\" as they go through the security show.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-259013-100x100.png\")
From now on, everyone will be required to take their dose of Soma before boarding begins.
And don't try to bring some pills on the flight to help calm your anger. Those are contraband, as you are obviously planning to pelt the pilots with Prozac before you take over the plane.
@lalaland13: Cabins will now be sealed and G-23 Paxilon Hydrochlorate will be pumped in to maximize peaceful human exchanges.
I suppose Mr. Furious will just have to learn to ride the bus.
\"Okay. Right now, I'm kinda like a powder keg, and you're the match.\"
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-3130-100x100.png\")
If you're an airline, you should assume that all of your passengers are angry. They feel ripped off!
Let's face it, this is all a big, fat power trip on the part of lazy, incompetent and mean people. They hate their jobs, aren't well paid, are no doubt poorly treated by management, so they take it out on us. All those flight attendants/CSRs calling the cops on you for complaining are getting back at the universe for their own tragic error in choosing a career in customer service. Make no mistake, these are miserable people with very little control over their own lives, and they hate pretty much everyone. Companies had no incentive to invest in customer service during boom times; if there were any sense in the world, this would change in a recession, but I'm not betting my rapidly diminishing 401(k) on it.
But I, for one, vote with my wallet and the Internet: No repeat business and lots and lots of bad press for companies that treat me badly. I'll do without your product/service and save a little money.
@GirlCat:
And let me guess, you are one of those people with a false sense of entitlement?
How do you know what the CSR's attitude is?
Are you a CSR/Flight attendant?
With the size of the chip you have on your shoulder, I'm not surprised that people treat you like that.
People like you bring this sort of treatment on yourselves.
I work in customer service, I love my job. But I hate dealing with self-important people like yourself.
There's a very simple rule to follow when dealing with ANY type of customer service agent.
Be nice. Be compassionate. Be a human being, and we will go out of our way to make whatever service you are enjoying that much more pleasant.
It's really just that simple.
@Mythandros: OK, instead of starting out snotty, I will clarify that I did not mean ALL CSRs and flight attendants, I meant the ones that behave like assholes, which is what we were discussing. That being said, I am NOT entitled, I always treat people with courtesy, because I worked in a customer-service job and because I'm a human being, and so I understand it is an often thankless job. I often get pretty good customer service, but I also sometimes get inexplicably bad service despite my politeness. What I object to are the CSRs who should not be dealing with other people under any circumstances having the power to fuck me over by putting me on a no-fly list because I had the temerity to complain about your company's unfair/illogical business practices. FOR WHICH I AM PAYING. Stop treating your paying customers like criminals at worst and nuisances at best. It's not that difficult a formula.
![\"user-pic\"](\"/mt-static/support/assets_c/userpics/userpic-363287-100x100.png\")
\"Angry?\" Really. So how stupid/indoctrinated/numb must one be to not to raise their hand and question this language profiling policy? \"Sir, it says right here...\"
Our veneer is showing signs of wear.
A show of hands, please, from those having increasingly frequent thoughts of a coming s-storm.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-13958-100x100.png\")
Just realized my next flight in a few months will be on USAir. What should I look out for?
@arstal: If you have any connecting flights, you're pretty much boned. They stranded me and several others - including a mother and her toddler - in the Philadelphia airport overnight because the first flight was an hour and a half late in departing. I had to practically run down a USAir employee and shame him into comping us hotel rooms.
Working at a call center, I can tell you this guy deserved it. People think they can racist, demeaning too you if something does not go exactly their why but when you use a threatening word or are racist to the rep I wish I could put a person on a, \"No Fly List.\"
You all might not agree but the call center where I work currently, they tell you the person can be racist call you a nigger, spick, fag or whatever and you got to take it even if it is completely uncalled for.
If you are working at a call center, how can they call you anything regarding your color?
\"Excuse me, but you sound black...are you black?\" \"Yeeeeah mofo...I be black, whatchu gonna say bout it?\"
@Pious_Augustus: It may be true that it's offensive but let's not forget you're getting PAID to SERVICE the CUSTOMER. That's how you retain business, because even the assholes will come back and buy again if you can take that shit and still give proper care to the customer. That doesn't make their treatment right, it's just business.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-175610-100x100.png\")
\"And today's in-flight movie is 'Twelve Angry Men.' \"
\"Noooo!!! I said I was HUNGRY!!!\"
\"I agree.\" \"Book 'im, Danno.\"
How funny. I put USAirways on my own No Fly List a few years ago.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-16563-100x100.png\")
...So telling the ticket agent that I'm planning on standing on my cramped seat, baring my member mid-flight and \"tinkling\" on every fellow passenger whom I suspect paid less than me isn't recommended?
Good to know. Guess the wisest course of action is, of course, don't tell them!
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-647106-100x100.png\")
Readers named James aren't having much luck lately :(
Unless the guy was being seriously abusive on the phone to the point of raising questions about his stability (which isn't out of the question), this sounds like an abuse of power on the part of the phone agent. Being placed on the no-fly list can screw with your travel plans for years and years. Remember that woman whose toddler has the same name as somebody on the list? She couldn't get him to her parents' for Thanksgiving because, you know, we can't be too careful about two-year-olds who might be terrorists.
@picardia: I seriously doubt a phone rep can put someone on the real no fly list. More likely she put a note in the file that might pop up at a check-in counter- \"customer angry.\" Then when he scans his way on the plane, perhaps the agent glances up to see if he looks like a problem. But probably not even that much.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-7328-100x100.png\")
Angry? Now if he had said he was \"gassy\" - no way he should get on that flight.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-298828-100x100.png\")
When speaking to a CSR, I never say something like \"angry, grrrrr!\" I try to lighten things up by making up ridiculous words. \"As you can understand, I'm a bit be-fickled.\"
What's \"be-fickled\" mean? I dunno, but it tends to lighten things up...unless the CSR barely speaks English.
I've yet to try that little tactic on a live audience though.
Airtran. Thats all i need to say on this.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-659139-100x100.png\")
With the decline of customer service in the airline industry today you'd be hard pressed to find a majority of people who aren't angry.
I suppose we'll have to be angry on the \"inside\" now.
My therapist is going to love me.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-659387-100x100.png\")
@Saboth:
Take Two:
After being cleared from US Air's no-fly list, James thought everything was great, until he tried to board the plane.
James: I told you change my ticket...
Ticket Agent: What?
James: You heard me... change the ticket...
Ticket Agent: Ummm sir, i dont have the approval to do that... Have a good flight.
James: Change the damn ticket!
Ticket Agent: Sir Im calling security!
James: but that will make me angry...
Ticket Agent: Sir your already angry! Back away Sir!
James: You wont like me when im angry... (Shirt rips turns green)
Take 3:
After being cleared from US Air's no-fly list, James thought everything was great, until he tried to board the plane.
James: Here you go.
Ticket Agent: Umm sir, please step to the side.
James: Is something wrong with my ticket?
Ticket Agent: *On the Phone* Yeah, im gonna need security down here... There's 30 people in this no fly line and they all yellin at me sayin they want they tickets fixed and junk. I aint got time to be dealin with this madness.
James: *Low Voice* Madness?
Ticket Agent: Hold on, what did you say sir?
James: This Is Sparta! *Kicks ticket down access ramp*
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-181878-100x100.png\")
HAHAHAHHAH. It's finally happened. The robots are taking over. Searching for \"key\" words and arguing over miniscule syntax like the difference between \"angry\" and \"grumpy\"? The CS person might as well said....
\"BZZZZZZTTT. Keyword/phrase *ANGRY*....ATTEMPTING TO QUARRANTINE. BZZZZZZZT\".
That's it. I'm traveling by mule next time i go anywhere out of state (or even overseas...worth the risk than THIS heartache).
Why anyone would fly USAirways is beyond me. Their service is a joke. Their people are rude, underpaid, and incompetent. Their equipment is old and raggedy. The place has gone downhill since 1999. United and Delta are competing well to knock USAirways from this position. Fly anyone but these clowns.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-435267-100x100.png\")
This person was obviously referring to an internal list, not the TSA's infamous \"No Fly\" list. It's also deplorable action on the part of the employees. It's quite apparent to me (20+ years of airline work in my previous career) that their reservations people have been reduced to drones that read off canned speeches and look at word lists because they have no authority, no common sense and no job security.
I grieve for the industry I once loved.
Whoa! What if my name were \"Anne Gree?\"
Thank you lowercase for having the common sense to see things as they are, (and have been as far as ticket prices go). Since when does following the instructions of the TSA constitute bad customer service? I agree, sometimes security policies seem to be ridiculous. But then, we have not had a terrorist attack since 911, have we? Being told that his original ticket price will stand SHOULD be the WORST thing to happen to this guy. Seriously. Travelling stinks, and anyone who has done so recently can attest to that. Thank deregulation for it and be \"angry\" at the legislators who thought it was such a great idea back in the 70s.
I am angry that my dog pooped on the carpet. Don't mean I don't expect that to happen from time to to time; I just used a disapproving tone with the dog. But I did leave the dog alone for too long. Then again - the dog isn't stupid.
What happens if you use ROAR as an expletive?
All teethy-like at the stewardess...
If only Consumerist saw some of the keywords that alert our FA's when pax type them into the chat program! Since the FA's can modify them on the spot, some have been known to add word like \"hook up...sex..etc\" in order to see what pax are planning on getting it on or whatever. Nosy!
USAir is the worst airline in the history of airlines. An hour and a half flight to Vegas turned into an all day excursion with a stop in Fresno for three fucking hours.
everyone looks for reasons to slam the airlines - some with good reasons> BUT do you want to sit next to some jerk, ranting and raving for hours on the flight? I think not. They're in business like everyone else and pretty much going bankrupt because of the economy. Then you get the other side - the jerk that sues the airlines because he had to sit next to a raging angry person. You tell me who can win in a situation like this?
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-7387-100x100.png\")
@BretNermie: \"Angry\" is a word that has different meaning to different people, shorthand to describe a range of actual emotions and reactions based on those emotions. For example, I remain angry about recent election developments in my home state, however, that doesn't mean I stomp down the street cursing the sky or sit at my desk doing a slow burn. Likewise, one can articulate feedback to a call center agent regarding how her employer's pricing policy makes one feel -- using the dreaded \"a\" word -- without becoming an agitated passenger. I'd have to stretch to see that as the logical outcome.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-10327-100x100.png\")
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-42681-100x100.png\")
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-99943-100x100.png\")
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-513573-100x100.png\")
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-291935-100x100.png\")
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-461218-100x100.png\")
![[i36.tinypic.com]](\"http://i36.tinypic.com/4tmvpk.jpg\"){kind=link}
Fricken flight Nazi baby! (Thanks for the laugh, though, Consumerist).
*sigh* More ridiculous and ill-guided attempts at the illusion of airport security. I understand that the customer service industry lives on keywords, but do these apathetic assholes realize how difficult it is to get off of these no-fly lists?
@blackmage439: Yes, we do. We also don't put people on the no-fly list like that, at least we're not supposed to. I'm sure it happens, but it's a serious abuse of power and being \"angry\" is pretty standard for most passengers. Until you threaten me with violence or make weird security comments, you can be as pissed off as you want and I wouldn't bat an eye.
@blackmage439: \"Illusion\" is the perfect word for it. Not sure somebody's who's going to hijack a plane is going to try to run around getting \"angry\" or otherwise making a scene, so what does this have to do with security? It's hard to believe that he got this response from a person though... how uncaring and inhuman.
Thanks for the AWESOME pic, Alex. I about fell out of my chair. :)