5 AIRPORT SECRETS They Don’t Want Us To Know

Summary

This video reveals gate agent secrets that impact travelers, offering tips to navigate airline practices. It advises arriving just before boarding to avoid luggage checks and fees, cautions against sizing luggage too early, and reveals that some agents earn commissions for checked bags. It also uncovers the inaccuracy of delay announcements and the agents' hidden ability to assist with seating changes, while warning of their power to deny boarding for disruptive behavior.

Takeaways

• 🕵️ Gate agents observe passengers around the gate area well before the flight's departure time to ensure rules are followed and flights depart on time.
• 🧳 Gate agents look for oversized luggage or too many carry-on items to avoid boarding time delays and may tag them for checked luggage, incurring extra fees for passengers.
• 🕒 Arriving at the gate just as boarding begins can help avoid extra checks of carry-on luggage and associated fees, and increase the likelihood of finding space in the overhead bin.
• 🔍 Gate agents appreciate when passengers proactively use sizing bins for their carry-on luggage, but this can also lead to additional fees if the bag exceeds size limits.
• 🛫 Some gate agents receive a commission for each carry-on sent to baggage claim, incentivizing strict enforcement of size requirements.
• 🗣️ Gate agents may not be upfront about the actual length of flight delays, often extending expected departure times in increments to keep passengers close to the gate.
• 📲 Passengers can track real-time updates on their flight status using apps like Flight Aware to manage their time at the airport more effectively.
• 💺 Gate agents have the power to make simple changes like seat adjustments to enhance passenger satisfaction, but these requests should be made discreetly before boarding.
• ⚠️ Gate agents have the authority to deny boarding for various reasons, including if a passenger appears intoxicated or disruptive to the flight's safety or comfort.
• 🛂 Gate agents' announcements should be taken with caution, as they may not always be accurate or reliable, and passengers should verify information independently.
• 📱 iPhone users can text themselves their flight number to receive a clickable link showing plane status and estimated arrival time, a useful hack for staying informed.

Q & A

Why do gate agents pay attention to passengers before the flight's departure time?

Gate agents monitor passengers to ensure everyone follows the rules, including luggage size and weight limits, to avoid delays that can impact the airline's on-time performance and the agent's job performance.

What can happen if a passenger's luggage is oversized or overweight?

Oversized or overweight luggage may be tagged and checked into the baggage claim, potentially incurring a hefty fee for the passenger.

Why might arriving at the gate just as boarding begins help avoid extra checks and fees?

Arriving right as boarding begins can reduce the likelihood of gate agents noticing and checking your carry-on for size or weight issues, thus avoiding potential fees and hassle.

What is the advantage of checking your luggage size before the boarding time begins?

Checking your luggage size ahead of time allows you to confirm if it meets airline standards, helping you avoid unexpected fees or stress on your travel day.

Why might gate agents appreciate when passengers proactively use the sizing bins at the gate?

When passengers use the sizing bins, it shifts the responsibility onto them, making any luggage size issues immediately apparent without room for dispute, which can lead to additional fees if the bag doesn't fit.

What was revealed about Frontier Airlines gate agents and their commission for checked carry-on luggage?

Frontier Airlines gate agents receive a $10 commission for every carry-on they send to the baggage claim from the gate, which is meant to incentivize compliance with bag size requirements.

How do gate agents handle flight delays and announcements about new boarding times?

Gate agents often extend expected departure times in small increments to keep passengers close to the gate and manage reactions, even if they know the information is not entirely accurate.

What can passengers do to track real-time updates on their flight status?

Passengers can use the Flight Aware app or website by entering their flight number to see the current status and exact location of their incoming plane.

What kind of changes can gate agents make to enhance passenger satisfaction without costing the airline?

Gate agents can make simple changes like switching a passenger's seat from an aisle to a window or moving them closer to the front of the economy section if seats are available.

Under what circumstances can gate agents deny boarding to passengers?

Gate agents can refuse boarding if passengers appear intoxicated, or if they have reason to believe the passenger will disrupt the flight and affect the safety or comfort of others.

What is the best time to approach a gate agent for a seat change request?

It's best to approach a gate agent for a seat change discreetly and well before the boarding process begins to avoid being time-consuming during their busy period.