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October 4, 2004
Southwest Airlines
I have flown Southwest Airlines for a long time, and I fly them a lot. The customer service has always been above and beyond, as far as I am concerned.
But yesterday, a man working at the ticket counter angrily told me that he didn't like the TSA and that the only way to get rid of them is to vote out the President and vote for Kerry. He also said that Bush is personally responsible for any goof ups the TSA commits. Personally.
Now, think for a minute, folks. This man said this to me as he held my military identification in his hand. Either he just wanted to irritate me or he is an idiot if he thinks people with a military connection want John F. Kerry to be the Commander in Chief.
Anyway, this was inappropriate behavior on the ticket agent's part, and I told him so. I also talked to a flight attendant as soon as I got on board the plane, and he made a call to the man's manager. Apparently, this is not the first time this guy has put his foot in his mouth and pissed off a passenger, so I don't know what happens to him, but you can be sure, if he is written up or fired for being such a jerk, he'll blame it on the President.
I am still writting Southwest an official letter complaining about this incident. This has nothing to do with free speech and everything to do with the fact that I do have a choice when I fly, and if I have Southwest employees telling me how to vote, I'll choose to fly on a different airline.
Political discussions are inappropriate when you are doing business with someone. I do not discuss my political preferences with clients, and if they want to bring that kind of thing up, no matter which side they are talking about, I tell them that I'm sorry, but I do not discuss politics while working.
Posted by Beth at October 4, 2004 4:31 AM
Comments
Your right, he'll blame the President, but then people like that will always blame their behavior on someone else.
I also don't discuss politics at work. Isn't it amazing the gall of people, who even after you tell them that, persist?
Posted by: BeeBee at October 4, 2004 5:42 AM
Good for you, Beth!
Posted by: Da Goddess at October 4, 2004 5:45 AM
It irritates me when people complain about their jobs to me or to co-workers while they are supposed to be taking care of my business. If it's bad enough, I'll tell their supervisors what happened. Employees like that are poison to a business.
If anyone went beyond complaining and tried campaigning, I would have been spitting nails.
Posted by: marybeth at October 4, 2004 5:46 AM
I have the same rule about discussing politics while working. The amazing thing is one of my main customers found my blog. Yikes. One day after a training class he was teasing me about being a part of the Bad Example family! YIKES!!! Lucky for me, we happen to have the same views. When I asked how he knew it was he, he said if you know me in person, it's easy to connect the dots.
My reaction when someone takes up my time complaining about their job instead of doing their job is to simply point out it's better than unemployement. You're much nicer than I am.
I'd write the letter too. What a jerk.
Posted by: Tammi at October 4, 2004 8:42 AM
Sounds like the guy missed a couple of training classes; the ones that spell out what is and what isn't acceptable subject matter for discussion between him and customers.
Posted by: robin at October 5, 2004 7:30 PM