LAS Gate Agents Wearing Jeans

[ringmaruf]

Agreed. I would be much more impressed by a friendly agent in jeans & t-shirt than an unfriendly agent in a tie & dress slacks.

I'm sorry, but I fail to see how it has to be an either/or. Why can't they be BOTH professionally dressed AND friendly? Or is that too much to ask? 🙄

 

[john john]

What a bunch of "Holier than though" cr*p I've been reading... It appears that NONE OF YOU have ever worked as a gate agent...

First, an airline is supposed to be safe. What does a Gate Agent wearing jeans have to do with not being safe?

Second, an airline is supposed to be reliable, i.e. "on-time" -- Again, what does wearing jeans have to do with on-time performance?

In fact, wearing jeans may be safer for many agents without the encumberance of ill-fitting uniform pieces or other interference from uncomfortable garments. And the same goes for on-time performance -- Back when I was a gate agent, I wore sneakers. I worked at an out-station that was consistently staffed to the minimum. Many evenings, I was the only person qualified to operate the jet bridge. In those days (security wasn't an issue), I would dock the bridge at 1 a/c, go quickly down the outdoor steps, across the ramp, and up the steps of a 2nd jet-bridge to dock or un-dock a second aircraft. This simply was not possible in any other footwear -- that I could afford -- and the company would not buy me steel-toed boots. If I had "uniform" shoes on, I could not use the steps and we risked a late arrival/departure. The station manager agreed with me and I was allowed to wear sneakers as long as they were fairly clean, white/blue, with no broken shoe laces (for safety). No, this was not the best thing to do, but it worked well for all involved. I never, ever had a passenger comment on my footwear -- ever -- to me or management or in writing or anything. Good, bad, nothing. Other employees, yes. But never a passenger. I don't think they really cared as long as I provided the very best customer service to each and every one of them.

And I'm sure ANY gate agent would prefer a 1/2 day or full day off - with pay -- for contributing to the United Way. However, their positions would have to be covered -- either with severe understaffing (everyone would contribute just to get time off with pay!) or at an added expense to the company, so in reality, that's just not feasible. So, the company has found a way to thank the employees for contributing. In a way that is meaniful to the employee without added expense for the company -- and I commend them.

After safety and reliability, the only thing any passenger should be concerned with is good customer service -- which can be provided while wearing jeans. Is it the "best" way to present an "image"? Certainly not. But as a reward for being generous and giving and concerned about somebody other than yourself, I see no problem in allowing an employee to wear jeans once a year or one week a year.

So if I worn jeans and did not give to United Way would I be discipline your approach opens all kinds of avenues

 

[BoeingBoy]

Heck - I gave so does this mean I can wear jeans for my trip on Friday? I can pin my euplets to the shoulders of my t-shirt.....

Jim

 

[ClueByFour]

Heck - I gave so does this mean I can wear jeans for my trip on Friday? I can pin my euplets to the shoulders of my t-shirt.....

Jim

No way. You don't fly for Mesa .

 

[Seatacus]

What a bunch of "Holier than though" cr*p I've been reading... It appears that NONE OF YOU have ever worked as a gate agent...

First, an airline is supposed to be safe. What does a Gate Agent wearing jeans have to do with not being safe?

Second, an airline is supposed to be reliable, i.e. "on-time" -- Again, what does wearing jeans have to do with on-time performance?

First- I have worked the gates.

Second- It is not about making the agent feel comfortable, it is about making the customer feel comfortable. You know, the person who gives you money to occupy that empty seat. Appearance means a lot in the business world.

Third- Have a nice day.........

 

[rjh]

I'm sorry, but I fail to see how it has to be an either/or. Why can't they be BOTH professionally dressed AND friendly? Or is that too much to ask? 🙄

My point was that wearing jeans does not make someone unprofessional.

 

[USCREW]

My point was that wearing jeans does not make someone unprofessional.

No...Just look it.

 

[N965VJ]

Heck - I gave so does this mean I can wear jeans for my trip on Friday? I can pin my euplets to the shoulders of my t-shirt.....

Jim

I’ve seen “Junior Airline Pilotâ€￾ t-shirts for kids.

Maybe they them for grownups, kinda like the tuxedo t-shirt.

If they had them for FAs just imagine – no one ever being late for the van in the morning.

 

[SCUBAgal]

I want to know where agents are getting to wear t-shirts too!!! NO ONE in Phoenix is showing up in jeans and a t-shirt. They would be sent home whether they donated or not. Allow us our time...there pilot's month, flight attendant's month, bbq's in the hangar- allow pax service personnel to have a little fun while making a difference in other people's lives huh?

 

[sharktooth]

You're correct it just makes the person LOOK unprofessional and I think that is the point of the debate.

"Professional", now there is an action packed word.

As a counter to your argument, I would ask you to listen to the Beach Boys, "No go showboat" song. To translate, I would suggest that if you make judgements about someones "professionalism" simply based on their dress, I would suggest you miss a lot.

Seeing a well dressed (to the nines) agent working in CLT with minimal AC, and with giant sweat stains under his armpits, does not convey to me that this dude has any idea what is going on.

I also might point out that, SWA, the carrier, profitably wallows in their expressions of casual professionalism, something USAirways could actually try to allow.

The East (and I mean you slack-jaw droolers in CLT), are so locked into some expected appearance you could not know professionalism if it slapped you upside the head.

Just sayin.....

 

[Dog Wonder]

"Professional", now there is an action packed word.

As a counter to your argument, I would ask you to listen to the Beach Boys, "No go showboat" song. To translate, I would suggest that if you make judgements about someones "professionalism" simply based on their dress, I would suggest you miss a lot.

Seeing a well dressed (to the nines) agent working in CLT with minimal AC, and with giant sweat stains under his armpits, does not convey to me that this dude has any idea what is going on.

I also might point out that, SWA, the carrier, profitably wallows in their expressions of casual professionalism, something USAirways could actually try to allow.

The East (and I mean you slack-jaw droolers in CLT), are so locked into some expected appearance you could not know professionalism if it slapped you upside the head.

Just sayin.....

Sharktooth is a model of professionalism.

 

[PHX-F/A]

Years ago when the PHX Suns were in the playoffs, we were allowed to wear jeans, work out shows and a Suns theme t-shirt. It was extremely comfortable, but the passengers did'nt know who the hell we were. Even with a name bar on, it was a constant, "Excuse me, do you work here, can you help us."

I think a casual Friday 'ties off' type of dress down is ok, but this jeans business does'nt go well at all.

 

[FlyDCJets]

I flew out CLT today, and many of the ticket and gate agents were wearing Carolina Panthers Jerseys, and Shirts today, it does not look prfessional, but I did not have a problem with it.
Regards
DC

 

[Travelpro72]

If we are required to have wear a uniform why can't the flight attendants wear jeans then? I mean if the passengers see us doing out duties whats the difference? Though it's a nice idea it doesn't really come across that well if you are dealing with the public. Lets face it, many passengers check their common sense with their bags when they arrive at the airport. They can't read signs or their boarding passes. They don't know how to find a gate or think for themselves. It's like they go all stupid. They are expected to find an agent to assist them when your wearing jeans or some sports jersey? If your in an office setting I think it's fine but not dealing with the public. It's great to support your team or the United Way but it is a little tacky when your want to keep things "business casual". And for those that say flight attendants can't because of safety the agents have access to secured areas and a uniform of some sort should be worn.