Denied a gate pass until I mentioned that I am CK
#61
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Washington, D.C.
Programs: AA, but I play the field
Posts: 1,541
Fwiw that's not the way I read the tone of the the OP's post at all, quite the opposite in fact. I thought the OP's point was to highlight that something an AA employee initially said was "not possible" turned out to be within their discretion. And moreover, it was the OP's elite (CK) status, rather than any kind of security or need-based reason, that prompted the AA agent to exercise that discretion favorably. (It's also worth noting that the OP's original title for the thread - "Dykia?" - was self-mocking in nature, but was later amended to be more objectively descriptive in accordance with FT rules).
Last edited by ZenFlyer; Nov 12, 2023 at 3:53 pm
#64
Join Date: Dec 2003
Programs: AA Plat Pro, United Silver, Marriott LTT, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton lowly Silver, IHG Platinum
Posts: 1,126
Very shortly after he posted 🙃
I wouldn't have done what he did but won't criticize. One of my kids flew internationally by herself when she was 20. I was pretty nervous about that, but I had just seen the movie "Taken" 😳
I wouldn't have done what he did but won't criticize. One of my kids flew internationally by herself when she was 20. I was pretty nervous about that, but I had just seen the movie "Taken" 😳
#65
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: AA LT Gold
Posts: 3,712
Maybe the OP watched Taken, Hostel and Final Destination.
#66
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: I 35 south bound, finally stopped
Programs: LT Plt, 4mm, *A GLD, burned out medical provider, executing our estate plan
Posts: 1,671
We do interesting things for our kids. All 3 of my kids made solo international flights before they were 20, by design, all on AA or Oneworld. I think the OP was great doing what he did. Interesting story, daughter, 19, was going to Brisbane, in coach, for a summer job. Got to airport, oops left passport in her bedroom 20 miles away. 100 mph+ back to house to get passport, 100 mph+ back to airport to deliver passport. She made her flight. 1) as a trauma surgeon, I tried to never speed cause people die when too fast. 2) I also wore scrubs most of the time, so if I did get stopped when I was speeding, I could bluff my way out of a ticket.
#67
Join Date: Dec 2019
Posts: 108
Interesting story, daughter, 19, was going to Brisbane, in coach, for a summer job. Got to airport, oops left passport in her bedroom 20 miles away. 100 mph+ back to house to get passport, 100 mph+ back to airport to deliver passport. She made her flight. 1) as a trauma surgeon, I tried to never speed cause people die when too fast. 2) I also wore scrubs most of the time, so if I did get stopped when I was speeding, I could bluff my way out of a ticket.
I mean I would have serious doubts about hiring someone who needed their parent to look out for them.
And again, do the 18 year olds joining the military have their parents showing up at bootcamp with the passport they forgot?
Oh.... and what does the fact that she was traveling coach have to do with anything? Just asking.
#68
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: KHOU/KIAH
Programs: AA EXP | Marriott LT Plat | Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 11,672
Maybe if she was 19 and traveling halfway around the world for a job and she still forgot her passport at home.... She didn't deserve the job?
I mean I would have serious doubts about hiring someone who needed their parent to look out for them.
And again, do the 18 year olds joining the military have their parents showing up at bootcamp with the passport they forgot?
Oh.... and what does the fact that she was traveling coach have to do with anything? Just asking.
I mean I would have serious doubts about hiring someone who needed their parent to look out for them.
And again, do the 18 year olds joining the military have their parents showing up at bootcamp with the passport they forgot?
Oh.... and what does the fact that she was traveling coach have to do with anything? Just asking.
#70
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: I 35 south bound, finally stopped
Programs: LT Plt, 4mm, *A GLD, burned out medical provider, executing our estate plan
Posts: 1,671
Maybe if she was 19 and traveling halfway around the world for a job and she still forgot her passport at home.... She didn't deserve the job?
I mean I would have serious doubts about hiring someone who needed their parent to look out for them.
And again, do the 18 year olds joining the military have their parents showing up at bootcamp with the passport they forgot?
Oh.... and what does the fact that she was traveling coach have to do with anything? Just asking.
I mean I would have serious doubts about hiring someone who needed their parent to look out for them.
And again, do the 18 year olds joining the military have their parents showing up at bootcamp with the passport they forgot?
Oh.... and what does the fact that she was traveling coach have to do with anything? Just asking.
#71
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,906
I dunno, I forget my phone when I go out about once every month or two. And I'm good for leaving my credit card at a restaurant at least a few times a year. I'd still hire me.
#72
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: East Coast
Programs: AA CONCIERGE KEY & 1MM, HILTON DIAMOND
Posts: 11,970
I found this amusing. My son (20) has never flown alone and he was picking up a friend, them meeting me 18 hrs later after taking 4 flights for a guys getaway. I take him down to the checkin desks in Tampa and explain that even though he is an adult he has never flown alone before and I'd like a gate pass to see him off
. The agent says this isn't possible, but if I want to I can talk to a manager. I was about to give up and leave, but I figured "why not". I said, would it change your mind if I was CK? Funnily enough the response was "I can give you a gate pass if you WANT".... Funny how things changed vs the experience the average traveler has, no?
I'm happy I got what I wanted, but a bit sad that those without status might not ...
. The agent says this isn't possible, but if I want to I can talk to a manager. I was about to give up and leave, but I figured "why not". I said, would it change your mind if I was CK? Funnily enough the response was "I can give you a gate pass if you WANT".... Funny how things changed vs the experience the average traveler has, no?
I'm happy I got what I wanted, but a bit sad that those without status might not ...
1. I have been CK for nearly a decade and I think most fellow CKs would laugh at anyone who expects AA to be kind to its customers; sorry but that just isn't in AA's DNA. The airline has been plagued by terrible CEOs and well, more often than not, you have to push AA employees to get what you want, especially airport agents (have gotten several of them fired over the years for trying to steal upgrades for their non-rev friends and family).
2. The reality is that at AA, only CKs and perhaps some high-yielding EXPs are valued by the airline and naturally, employees do fear that upsetting those customers may lead them to lose their jobs.
3. However, in this case you didn't really have a right to expect AA to give you a pass since your son is already an adult and not a child or elderly person needing assistance, though it was very sweet of you to want to be there with him.
#73
Join Date: Jul 2013
Programs: AA MM, AA EXP; OW Emerald, EK silver
Posts: 964
Unless you want to impress your son about your VIP status or get him access to the Admiral's Club why should he need to be escorted to the gate unless there's an issue you're not mentioning. At 20 I traveled, female on my own, through the US from coast to coast on a Greyhound bus. And survived. At 20 I would have been embarassed if anyone had escorted me to the gate to see me off on the first leg of the trip TATL.
#74
Join Date: Dec 2022
Posts: 258
The AA agent assisting passengers at the baggage line was so helpful and professional. I was helping my wife and autistic child. He has traveled before and he has Precheck too so that helps a lot but with big luggages, the agent took us to a faster agent disability sign bag drop off and she asked her staff for GATE PASS for me but she was like you don't have precheck, I do but I wasn't traveling. I stood in regular line while my wife and child stood in precheck line. after showing my ID and pass, I realized I had pepper spray with my in my belt bag and my option was throw it away or not allowed in, mine is the better quality one so I didn't feel like wasting $20 so I got out of the line, waved and called my wife and explained and advised them for safe and happy travel.
Thank you AA !
Thank you AA !