Thread: WHAT TICKS OFF THE GATE AGENTS ABOUT NON-REVS???

I figured out how to tick off a gate agent.

DL gate agent in JFK. 50 minutes prior to departure for LAS(for the 21st birthday), nothing yet going on---probably 10 minutes until the craziness starts.
I was on a standard priority because the flight had plenty of seats, but only a couple in F. I figured the upgrades would take all the F seats. There were very few upgrades, and it was an international 752 with Business Elite cabin. I found myself ONE spot out of business. I decided to use a priority day to move up the list(I know that bumps someone else, but it's happened to me and that's the game.) The gate agent would not change my priority. She said it cannot be done once you check in. I reminded her of the correct policy that you can change your priority as much as you want up to 30 minutes prior to departure. I kindly informed her that we were within the appropriate time frame, please change my priority. She again refused. I called someone at work and had them change my priority. I saw my name move to the top of the list. I gave the gate agent a nice smile and a thank you as she gave me my boarding pass.

I like to be a "good passenger," but the gate agent was wrong. I've noticed in general that smaller outstations have the best people. ATL and JFK have alot of gate agents that don't know some policies(not just concerning nonrevs). Every pax goes through your hubs, you've got to have good agents there. Of course there are some great agents in most cities, just not enough.