Loudest Voice Gets Attention

It is a regrettable life lesson that the obnoxious one who complains loudest is processed first.

We arrived bleary eyed at terminal two on a cold, rainy morning. It was the first weekend of the school holidays. A procession of cars waited to pull in at the drop-off zone.

Two excited young women were heading to Queensland. Their anticipation was reminiscent of schoolies, but this time it was university games. I expect the shenanigans will be similar.

''Don't park, mum. It's too expensive.''

I hugged them goodbye as a frowning parking inspector loomed. They blew me a kiss and disappeared through the automatic glass doors. I drove off.

They booked months ago and paid for allocated seating. They assured me everything was in order, but something felt wrong. Perhaps it was the size of one of those bags. What if it weighed over 20 kilograms? I turned and drove into the car park.

Inside, a crowd queued in snake-like squiggles. There they were, giggling and chatting. I checked the time repeatedly. The teenagers laughed and told me to relax. They had 15 minutes before check-in closed. No airline representative was on duty to direct travellers on early flights to the front.

Much to their embarrassment, I approached a desk. Dirty looks all around as I pushed in.

''The 8am to Coolangatta? That flight is full.''

''But we have two allocated seats on that flight.''

''You haven't checked in.''

''That's why we are here now, waiting.''

The girls wanted to check in together, as they did for schoolies. It had worked fine then.

The employee frowned, looked around for assistance and then shrugged.

''I've only just come on duty. I don't know what's happening.''

We were directed to the service desk, where I asked how it was possible to show up with paperwork verifying a booking, and discover the flight was full. The harried supervisor told us it was policy to overbook flights.

''For no shows.''

''But we showed.''

Other bewildered students stood in line with us. They had been bumped off the same flight. I was compelled to complain loudly on behalf of everyone. I demanded something be done as my two stood by, mortified.

''Don't worry mum, we've got all day.'' Anything to avoid a scene.

''Overbooking happens all over the world,'' sniffed the airline employee. ''This is head office's policy, not mine,'' she added.

It is a regrettable life lesson that the obnoxious one who complains loudest is processed first.

The polite ones were left standing, quietly waiting, as my two were confirmed on the next flight.

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/society-and-culture/loudest-voice-gets-attention-20110928-1kxf6.html#ixzz1ZI2TW9nj