(no subject)

[derien]

I covered an extra shift at work today for a girl who wanted to go to New York and visit her family for Christmas. I wasn't doing anything, it was a good way to keep busy. It's always pretty slow, easy work on the holiday, because everyone is already where they need to be, and toward the end I got the most boring job - stationed to watch the last flight take off, a Southwest flight. I sat a little ways away, listening to them boarding the plane, watching for pushback. But then, after they finished, I heard another plane start boarding, and I was like "What? This was supposed to be the last flight."

I wandered over to the United counter and asked them whether they or Southwest were planning on taking off first.

"We are."

"Southwest is already done boarding."

"We're faster than them, though."

I figured this could use some egging on, so I wandered back over and told the people at Southwest, "Looks like United might get off before you. They say they're faster than you!" This guy wasn't buying in, though, so I added, "Where's your team spirit?"

"Well, I got all my people boarded fifteen minutes early."

United, however, was all into racing, and I heard the guy from the gate calling on his radio, "Come on, get the doors closed! Southwest is already boarded!" and similar sentiments. Southwest did end up winning, though, and the United counter people were blaming the crew, to each other. "You try to hurry them and they'll always slow down." But it was a little amusement to me for a few minutes. ;) I texted Eor about this and he wrote back, "Next thing I'll be hearing that a plane in Portland took off with a door open!"

What I really don't understand is why we actually have to station someone to watch the final flight take off. Thirteen years I've been here and they're still doing it the same way. Wouldn't you think they'd just ask the tower to call us and let us know when the last flight takes off?

Comments

[pinesandmaples]

The Farmer said it was a pretty low-traffic day in his airports, too. Although there were a few poorly-behaved adults on one of his flights. Just because you are surly doesn't mean you can take it out on the other humans trapped in the metal tube with you!