I work in an Airport, AMA

[vrrroooom]

Just this really, I work in departures so do a bit of everything when you come airside, ask away :)

Have you ever had anyone scream at you when there's nothing you can do, and if so, how often? (Not watched every episode of Airline it anythinggn ).

How aware are you of the terror threat on a daily basis? Is it just part of your routine or do you have days when it’s especially difficult to manage?

@MB134

Almost every shift!! People tend to get cabin fever because once you’re airside unless you’re delayed by 5 hours or more or your flight is cancelled you can’t leave/go outside or go for a cigarette break for example. I work retail and assist with general airline/airport enquiries so people lose their tempers over the smallest of things and I think it’s amplified by being contained as such!! Usually when they realise that it can be rectified via say compensation or just asking their airline desk/airline information or taking a breather they just ease up. The worst thing is asking for a boarding pass and they can’t find it or don’t want to give it. I do understand this one though, especially travelling with lots of bags, important documents and kids etc, it can be annoying and I hate myself to ask.

@hortonlovesahoo

We are trained to deal with certain situations and I feel really safe going to work. We start work the same way passengers do via strong security so I’m quite used to it now. For us it’s easier to manage but I can see why passengers/people who won’t work here worry/are interested if we’re conciously aware.

Do you ever have to deal with nervous flyers? Can you tell who they are?

Do you see people living in the airport?

@savagebaggagemaster

Sometimes when I’m talking to people I can tell from the vibe they give off or they just say straight up when we’re chatting. Formally they get helped via a different way though. Most airlines have specific employees that deal with nervous flyers and they help transition them once they’re airside really smoothly so there’s no hicupps that could throw them off before they board. If they make the airline they’re flying with aware they will let them go to the gate earlier, will let them board earlier and show them around the plane and cockpit just to ease their fears etc.

@saffzy

They can’t live airside but I have seen people living landside for a little while. The security in the terminal is very good though so usually they will get moved along and put in touch with shelters nearby. The airport I’m based at has links to help/support them and also donates food from the departures lounge to specific shelters/aid centres at the end of the day.

When your ask to see a boarding pass when someone is buying something and it's not for a duty free purchase is the traveller obliged to give it to you? I've always wondered....

@ThatEscalatedQuickly

If you want the saving in WDF yes. Outside of there it is up to the individual stores and needs but usually the answer is no. The issue lies often with the way the refusal goes because people think if they watch one Martin Lewis program they are allowed to scream, swear and harass you, when in all honesty we’re just trying to save you the money and continue our shift 😞

Oh I'd never refuse to give it over myself, I just realised how I never questioned it until I saw your earlier post. I'd always assumed for some reason it was a must rather than an option!

But I was never sure hence the interest. Anyone who abuses staff in shops deserves a big hit of bad karma.