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.

Outlines

00:00

🕵️‍♂️ Gate Agent Secrets and Traveler Tips

This paragraph reveals the lesser-known strategies of gate agents that impact travelers. Gate agents monitor passengers for oversized luggage or extra carry-on items before departure to avoid delays. They approach early arrivers to check luggage dimensions and weight, potentially leading to checked bags and fees. Travelers are advised to arrive just as boarding begins to minimize attention and avoid extra fees. Additionally, gate agents appreciate proactive luggage sizing but this can lead to fees if the bag exceeds limits. To avoid unexpected fees, passengers can check their bag size at a different gate or before airport security. There's also a hint at gate agents receiving commissions for checked carry-ons, suggesting potential bias in enforcement.

05:01

💸 Airline Incentives and Gate Agent Powers

This paragraph delves into the financial incentives behind gate agents' actions, such as a commission from checked carry-on bags, which may influence their strict enforcement of size limits. It also discusses how gate agents provide delayed information about flight times to maintain on-time performance records and manage passenger expectations. The paragraph further explains that gate agents have the power to make seat changes and other accommodations but may deny boarding for various reasons, including intoxication or disruptive behavior. The video encourages viewers to check airline carry-on restrictions and suggests using flight tracking apps for real-time updates, emphasizing the importance of understanding gate agents' roles and powers in the travel process.

Keywords

💡Gate Agent

A gate agent is an airline employee responsible for managing various aspects of a flight's boarding process at the airport gate. In the video, gate agents are highlighted as key figures who observe passengers for compliance with airline rules and can influence the boarding process by tagging oversized luggage or addressing carry-on issues.

💡Oversized Luggage

Oversized luggage refers to bags that exceed the size limitations set by airlines for carry-on items. The script discusses how gate agents monitor for such luggage to enforce rules and avoid delays, which can result in passengers having to check their bags and potentially incurring additional fees.

💡Carry-On Allowance

Carry-on allowance is the limit on the number of bags a passenger can bring onto an aircraft without checking them in. The video emphasizes that gate agents are vigilant about passengers exceeding this allowance, which can lead to additional fees and the need to check in more bags.

💡Sizing Bin

A sizing bin is a physical container at the gate used to measure whether a carry-on bag meets the airline's size requirements. The script explains that gate agents use sizing bins to identify bags that do not comply with size regulations, which may then be checked in at the passenger's expense.

💡Baggage Claim

Baggage claim is the area at an airport where passengers retrieve their checked luggage after a flight. The video mentions that if a carry-on bag is deemed oversized and is checked in at the gate, it will be sent to the baggage claim, potentially incurring a fee for the passenger.

💡On-Time Performance Record

An airline's on-time performance record refers to its track record of flights departing and arriving on schedule. The script points out that gate agents are under pressure to maintain this record, as delays can negatively impact both the airline's reputation and the agent's job performance.

💡Boarding Time

Boarding time is the period when passengers are allowed to board the aircraft. The video suggests that arriving at the gate just as boarding begins can help passengers avoid extra checks on their carry-on bags and the associated fees.

💡Flight Delays

Flight delays occur when a flight's departure or arrival is postponed. The script reveals that gate agents may not disclose the true extent of delays, instead announcing shorter delays to keep passengers close to the gate and maintain on-time performance records.

💡Commission

In the context of the video, commission refers to a payment made to gate agents for each carry-on bag they send to baggage claim, as admitted by a Frontier Airlines spokesperson. This practice raises ethical questions about potential conflicts of interest in gate agents' enforcement of carry-on size rules.

💡Flight Status Updates

Flight status updates provide information on the current status and estimated arrival time of a flight. The video suggests that passengers can use apps like Flight Aware to get real-time updates, which can be more accurate than the information provided by gate agents.

💡Gate Agent Authority

Gate agent authority refers to the power that gate agents have to make certain decisions, such as seat changes or denying boarding. The script explains that while gate agents can be accommodating, they also have the authority to enforce rules and maintain safety and order on flights.

Highlights

Gate agents observe passengers before flight departure to ensure rules are followed and avoid delays.

Passengers with oversized luggage may be approached by gate agents to check and tag items early.

Arriving at the gate just as boarding begins might help avoid extra checks and fees for carry-on luggage.

Gate agents appreciate when passengers proactively check their luggage size at the gate.

Checking luggage size at a different gate or using another airline's sizer can avoid drawing attention.

Frontier Airlines gate agents receive a commission for sending carry-ons to baggage claim.

Gate agents' announcements about delays are often not accurate and are used to manage passenger expectations.

Passengers can track real-time flight updates using the Flight Aware app or website.

Gate agents have the power to make simple changes like seat switches to enhance passenger satisfaction.

Gate agents can refuse boarding for various reasons, including intoxication or disruptive behavior.

Gate agents are under pressure to ensure flights leave on time and follow the rules.

Oversized luggage can lead to delayed departures and impact the airline's on-time performance.

Passengers are more likely to be noticed by agents if they spend too much time near the gate before boarding.

Gate agents look out for passengers exceeding carry-on allowances by sneaking extra bags onto the plane.

Gate agents may not be upfront about the actual length of flight delays to keep passengers close to the gate.

Gate agents can make adjustments like seat changes to help passengers with connecting flights.

Gate agents have the authority to deny boarding under certain circumstances for safety and comfort reasons.

Transcripts

today we are uncovering the little known

gate agent secrets that directly affect

you as a traveler and how these insights

can help you beat the Airlines at their

own game make sure you stick around for

number three as it is the sketchiest

airline practice that I have come across

in a long time and I have a feeling it's

going to tick you off

too one of the best kept secrets of gate

agents is that they are paying attention

to passengers around the gate area

long before the flight's departure time

gate agents work under a lot of pressure

to make sure that everyone follows the

rules and that flights leave when

they're supposed to any holdups like

arguments about the size of carry-on

bags at boarding time can lead to

delayed departures delays are not only

Annoying for passengers but they

negatively impact the airline's ontime

performance record and they don't look

so great for that agent's job

performance either gate agents will keep

an eye out for passengers with oversized

luggage or too many carry-on items so

they can get them tagged and checked in

in advance of boarding if you're near

the gate too early and your suitcase

looks a little bulky a gate agent might

approach you to place your items in a

sizing bin or on a luggage scale if even

just a tiny section of the wheel sticks

out of the sizing bin or your suitcase

is a fraction of a pound over the

airline's weight limit your suitcase

will likely be tagged and check the

baggage claim which can come with a

hefty fee a agents will also be on the

lookout for passengers that are

exceeding their carry-on allowance by

trying to sneak extra bags like a hipack

or a sling onto the plane so if you do

hang out in the gate area before the

boarding time begins you're more likely

to get noticed by the agents in

comparison to a passenger that shows up

right as boarding begins boarding time

is the time when the gate agents are the

busiest and they are focused on getting

everyone on the plane as quickly as

possible so by arriving at the gate just

as boarding begins you May avoid any

extra checks of your carry-on and the

fees associated with checking your

luggage not to mention the hassle of

check Luggage in the case of it

potentially being lost stolen or damaged

and if other bags were already checked

in prior to boarding beginning it's much

more likely that there is going to be

space in the overhead bin on the plane

for your carry-on the exact time that

boarding begins is likely on your

printed or mobile ticket and it usually

starts 30 to 45 minutes before the

flight's departure so while it's smart

to arrive at the airport with plenty of

time typically 2 hours before your

domestic flights departure and 3 hours

before an international flights

departure try not to spend too much time

hanging around the gate too soon you can

always sit at a gate nearby to keep

watch in case there are any changes to

your flight or important announcements

that you don't want to miss although as

you will learn in point number four gate

agent announcements should always be

taken with a grain of salt not reliable

information the second secret is that

gate agents don't openly share how much

they appreciate it when passengers

proactively Place their carry-on luggage

in the sizing bins at the gate when you

use the sizing bin it effectively shifts

the responsibility onto you and any

issues with your luggage size are

immediately apparent with no room for

dispute by choosing to size your luggage

in front of a gate agent you're

unknowingly participating in a process

that could lead to additional fees if

your bag doesn't fit there's no arguing

or denying it's clear that you've ceeded

the limits this setup can frustrate

passengers who feel like they've been

trapped into paying extra fees to have

their luggage then checked especially

when they were just trying to be

cautious by placing their suitcase in

the sizing bin to avoid drawing

attention from gate agents at your gate

try checking your bag size at a

different gate or even in the bag Sizer

from another airline as most have

similar size limits for carry-on luggage

this allows you to check your bag's fit

without immediately drawing attention

from the agents at your own gate if you

are especially worried about the strict

enforcement on carry-on suitcase size

consider visiting the airport before

your flight day luggage sizing bins are

usually accessible in the departure area

before you check in and before you go

through airport security testing your

suitcase ahead of time lets you confirm

if it meets the airline standards and it

helps you avoid any unexpected fees or

stress on your travel day and speaking

of the recent enforcement on carry-on

size limits this next gate agent secret

is is a doozy the recent strict

enforcement of the size of carry-on

suitcases at the gate often called the

carry-on Crackdown has led to many

passengers feeling targeted by gate

agents especially when a slightly

oversized suitcase ends up leading to an

expensive check-in fee and it turns out

that some of those suspicions about

being targeted by the gate agents are

Justified a Frontier Airline

spokesperson admitted that their gate

agents receive a commission for every

carry-on that they sent a baggage claim

from the gate and having your carryon

sent a baggage claim at the gate is a

service that can cost you up to

$100 big yikes the spokesperson stated

that the $10 per transaction commission

is designed to incentivize our team

members to ensure compliance with the

bag size requirements to ensure all

customers are treated fairly including

the majority who comply with the rules

the spokesperson added that in the past

our carry-on bag size requirement was

not consistently applied which was

unfair to the majority of customers who

do pay for their carry-on bags in

advance and comply with this requirement

let us know down in the comments how you

feel about Frontier Airlines gate agents

getting an extra $10 bonus payout every

time they check an oversized carry-on

bag it does make me wonder if other

airlines are doing the same thing and if

so maybe we should all be traveling with

an extra 20 just in case gate agents

also don't want you to know that their

announcement ments about delays and new

boarding times are guesses at best and

outright lies at worst gate agents often

aren't upfront about the actual length

of flight delays choosing instead to

extend the expected departure time in

small increments such as 15 to 30

minutes this tactic keeps passengers

close to the gate and ready to board as

soon as the plane arrives which in turn

helps Airlines maintain their on-time

performance records and manages

passenger reactions by reducing the

likelihood of requests for compensations

or alternative flights so even if the

incoming aircraft is still a couple

hours away gate agents might only

announce a short delay to prevent

passengers from getting angry or from

straying too far from the gate area the

gate agent may not know the actual

length of the delay and they may just be

relaying the information that they were

given however they do know that the

information they are telling you is not

accurate and they don't want you to know

it the good news is that you can track

real time updates on your flight status

yourself use the Free Flight Aware app

or their website by entering in your

flight number which is usually a couple

of letters followed by numbers and can

be found on your boarding pass and this

is going to allow you to see the current

status and the exact location of your

incoming plane iPhone users also have

access to a fun hack where you can text

yourself the flight number which then

magically transforms into a clickable

link showing you the plane status and

the estimated arrival time at at your

gate knowing the true delay time lets

you better manage your time at the

airport allowing you to eat relax or

take care of other needs without the

stress of potentially missing your

flight gate agents also don't want

passengers to know that they often have

a lot more power than you realize they

can make simple changes like switching

your seat from an aisle to a window or

moving you closer to the front of the

economy section to help you deplane

quicker for a connecting flight assuming

there are seats available these

adjustments usually don't cost the

airline anything and they can greatly

enhance passenger satisfaction gate

agent systems generally allow them to

make these changes but they definitely

don't want too many passengers making

requests since it can be timec consuming

and they are already busy enough if you

are hoping for a simple change like a

seat change within the same Fair class

see if you can do it yourself on the app

and if you are going to ask a gate agent

it's best to be discreet and then ask

them well before the boarding process

begins and while gate agents can be

helpful in accommodating requests they

also possess the authority to deny

boarding under certain circumstances

gate agents can refuse to let passengers

onto the plane for a ton of different

reasons such as if they appear

intoxicated or if they have reason to

believe that you will disrupt the flight

and affect the other passengers safety

or Comfort keep that in mind the next

time you try to argue your carry-on

being checked in as any physical or

verbal harassment is not going to be

tolerated and you may even be be denied

boarding from the flight I'll also put a

link in the description and on the

screen now with a video going through

everything that you need to know about

Airline carry-on luggage restrictions

and the recent carry-on Crackdown before

your next flight don't forget to hit

that subscribe button to join us back

for more travel tips and hacks each week

and I'll see you in that next video soon

bye