Worked like a charm
May 14, 2008I wanted to call American Airlines today for a question about my flight. It looked like all the seats were already booked, so I was wondering if I had any chance at all of getting on, even though I have a ticket.
I submitted to the computer, agreeably answering things like “reservations” and telling them my frequent flyer number, but it was getting me noplace. The computer just kept telling me things I didn’t need to know, like the times of my flight and the fact that I did not have a seat reservation.
“Representative,” I requested.
“Your options are ‘repeat’, ‘main menu’, or ‘finished’,” the computer replied.
“Representative!” I demanded.
“Your options are ‘repeat’, ‘main menu’, or ‘finished’,” the computer replied.
“I want to talk to a fucking person!” I shouted in irritation.
“A representative will be right with you,” the computer replied.
Ida came on the line immediately.
I calmly and casually mentioned that she might want to pass the message on that the American Airlines customer service that their system would only respond to swearing.
“I’m not allowed to swear on the job,” she told me.
“I’m not saying you should swear,” I told her. “I’m not really a swearer myself.” [I'm totally going to be struck by lightening.] “I just think they might want to know that the system didn’t respond to polite requests to speak with a representative.”
Silence.
[C'mon, it was kind of funny!]
Bottom line: She claims the seat just can’t be reserved in advance but there is space. Wish me luck.
Also: I still have my fear about flying causing miscarriage, but how can I spend my life refusing to get on an occasional plane for work when I don’t even know if I am pregnant? And I know there’s no evidence that it actually does cause problems. I am just telling myself that people doing IVF get on flights home right after all the time, right?
That’s really funny–I’m glad to know that I’m not the only one who curses at those awful automated systems.
As for flying causing miscarriage, I really do think you’re fine, but I can totally understand the fear. Best of luck!
My RE said that the flight isn’t a concern, it is the stress and whatnot of travel. So, take it easy, take your time. Try to stay relaxed and get to the airport in plenty of time.
Even then, I thought that there are women doing hard manual labor all over that have just conceived and don’t know it yet. So, I think that if you are pg, if it is going to stick, it is going to stick, and little that you could do will have an effect on the outcome.
During my stint as a financial planner I learned that if you hit a bunch of numbers at once you will end up talking to a representative. No unladylike (hahaha) cussing necessary.
I like it when you said, “operator” and the automated voice says, “Oh. It sounds like you would like to speak to an operator. Is that correct?” And you say “yes” and then it says, “Let’s see if I can help you first.” ((*^(^*(&!@(*&!()*@)
As for flying and miscarriages, I have always been weary of it, but I also don’t like flying. I am sure there are no worries.
I have heard, quite apocryphally, that using the word “fuck” to any of these automated voice systems will get you to a Real Person in oh, about a heartbeat and a half. Apparently that’s the Magic Word. (And to think I always thought it was “please” or “thank you!”