Passenger gets angry at Check-In

[Robert Zweck]

Over the last few weeks we did a tour of Victoria by car, calling in to as many Airports as possible.

On one Saturday afternoon at Mildura, we witnessed some rage at the QantasLink check-in, a middle aged woman ( plus 3 ) were booked to catch the Dash-8 to Melbourne.

It appeared that they all turned up at 1500 and " found no staff " at the counter. They then left the airport and returned at 1555 to find that the aircraft was about to depart at 1605...they had misread the ticket and thought the STD was 1650.

Their seats had been filled by some waitlisted passengers, but she was having none of that. She wanted the seats " that were rightfully hers " Thankfully , there was no foul language but she let forth with a tirade at one of the Ground Staff who wanted to continue the despatch.

" HEY, YOU, I WANT TO SPEAK TO YOU ! "

" DON'T WALK AWAY FROM ME, COME HERE, NOW! "

The staff were all adamant that someone was in attendance at 1500.

This heated language went on for about 10 minutes and was something I have never witnessed in all my years in this industry.

I was nearly going to suggest that if she desperately needed to go to Melbourne, it was only 5-6 hours away by hire-car ( There must have been at least 50 out in the Park ) But I figured it wasn't worth getting involved.

I think the woman was probably more angry with herself for having misread the ticket ( trying to blame someone else for her error )

Is this where our society is headed?