u/RealTiffvny

our flight is overbooked bc theses rich sons of bitches think that it’s a good idea to sell more tickets than seats so that some poor guy like me can’t fly and has to stay at the airport till 10pm when our flight was suposed to leave at 4pm fuck Condor,Ryanair and all the other companies that do this bs

yo I meant overbooking

A few of the comments under my ICE airport post kept repeating the same line: if you’re here legally / if you went through the process the right way, you have nothing to worry about.

Then you see cases like Monsanto Maler

He came to the U.S. in 2023 from Haiti under Temporary Protected Status, a legal pathway. He checked in with ICE regularly as required. This time? He left the office in tears with a mandatory ankle monitor after TPS protections for Haitians was ended. He’s one of hundreds of thousands impacted.

This is the exact gap I was pointing at. “Legal” is not a permanent shield when the status itself can be terminated, when processing delays leave people in limbo, or when enforcement expands to people who followed the rules that existed when they arrived. Pending applications, TPS, conditional status, extensions that take longer than the document lasts, these are all situations where someone did what the system told them to do and still ended up exposed.

The airport arrests using TSA data were one piece of that. Ankle monitors on people who entered through a recognized temporary protection program are another. The talking point that only “illegals” or criminals need to be concerned doesn’t match what’s actually happening in our nation.

I’m not saying every enforcement action is wrong. I’m saying the blanket claim that following the legal process guarantees safety is false, and cases like this show why

EDIT:
Important notes: TPS keeps someone legally present and able to work here for as long as the designation lasts, but it does not itself convert into lawful permanent residence. (I never claimed it did)

TPS gives people time, legal status, and a work permit. Many use those years to pursue a separate path that does lead to a green card. Common routes include:

1. Marriage to a U.S. citizen
2. Employment-based sponsorship
3. Family petitions
4. Asylum
5. Travel on advanced parole
6. Important limitations apply

It’s inhumane to assume that people with TPS should simply be sent back once that protection ends. Many may have only been able to safely leave their country because TPS gave them a lawful way to remain in the U.S. and rebuild their lives while pursuing permanent residence. They may also struggle to qualify for or obtain approval through other immigration pathways. TPS itself does not automatically become permanent residence, but for many people, it can be the bridge that gives them a realistic opportunity to pursue it.

I know many of you have been affected by the countless delays and cancellations since the beginning of July, and just know we (the crews) are feeling it too. Leadership is running the operation really poorly, and treating the flight attendants even worse. Since June we’ve been stripped of all our flexibility and are threatened when we need to call out of work due to sickness or other reasons so we’re forced to work tired and sick. Pilots are timing out because they’re stuck around the country and the company can’t get them to where they need to be to operate the flight they’re assigned. We’re also very understaffed. There was a hiring freeze for flight attendants for over two years and just now are we starting to hire again since the beginning of this year. People are quitting and getting fired (due to the new work rules and zero flexibility) faster than they can hire new ones and train them. We are over worked, underpaid, and exhausted and just as tired of JetBlues shenanigans as you, the customers, are. Please bear with us and try to be kind considering the circumstances, whether you’ve been delayed for 10 hours or your last 3 flight have cancelled, we are getting torn every which way. The company is operating a certain way right now which allows them to use and abuse the crews however they see fit and can work us into our days off for as many days as they want as long as we get the FAA required minimum rest (10 hours). This is the worst summer I’ve seen since I’ve started here and it’s really a joke how they’re handling the storms and trying to recover the operation. We’re just here trying to get you guys where you need to go so we can get to our layover, or go home. Please call and email anyone from the company you can to let them know this isn’t fair to you guys. That’s not to go without saying that weather hasn’t played a massive role in this summers mishaps. JetBlues main hubs are jfk and Boston, so when weather hits like it has been, back to back, it causes a trickle down effect and the whole operation is affected. The thing is JetBlue is not good at recovery at all, so it makes it even harder to get things back to usual. It’s also not just us. Delta, American and United have all felt the effects of summer weather and stretched thin crew members, but they can recover quicker since they are all 3-4 times the size of JetBlue in terms of aircraft and staff. September is a slower month in terms of flying and severe weather in the northeast so hopefully the company can get their stuff together by then. Thanks for reading and getting the perspective of the people who are feeling the brunt of this airlines mismanagement.

I got to work early asf and after briefing, was sent to do the Jetbridge audit. First thing I noticed when I got to my assigned gate was a bag just sitting there unattended. I waited a minute to see if anyone would come running up for it, then just headed inside the Jetbridge, hoping someone would come for it in those few minutes, where I ran into a ramp agent and when I asked about the bag, he goes “yeah that’s been sitting out there for a while.” Like what??😭 He should’ve reported it like it says in the announcement REPEATEDLY, but whatever. Finished the audit, walked back out, and just happen to see a cop on a bike so I went to the officer to report the bag the way the announcements literally tell us to.

This guy looks at me and says to just pick it up and take it to customer service desk myself. Like bro?? That’s literally the exact opposite of what every airport announcement says. This is a security issue. You’re not supposed to touch unattended bags. Period. The same goes for taking packages or bags from random people to put on a plane. You dont.

THEN, a couple minutes later as I’m on the phone with my manager about it, the lady who owned the bag comes storming up yelling that she left it there so she could be first in line. There was nothing even up on the boarding screen yet… first in line for what? I’m not even sure she was in the right boarding area for her flight because I ended up doing the first flight out that gate and I didn’t see her again.

I did what the airport tells passengers (and employees) to do. The officer’s response was just weird and obviously lacking in knowledge or just lazy.

Good evening Travelers!

I love this community because it really has opened my eyes and reignited my passion for knowledge, which I love to share! Today I’d like to discuss how Airport Immigration has evolved throughout the years. I feel it’s important we talk about the changes over the years and how it affects Aviation and International Travelers today as flying into the US used to mean handing over a paper form and answering a few questions at a booth. Now we have cameras, fingerprints, pre-approvals, and apps.

In the very early days of flying (pre 1960s) most processing happened on arrival. You showed up, got inspected, and either cleared or got held. Visas became a requirement for many nationalities after the 1920s quota laws, so airlines started checking documents before boarding. From 1965 onward, preference system changed who was coming, but the airport process stayed largely the same (officer, stamp, next person in line)

Now for the biggest change in Aviation: Post 9/11
In 2004: The US-VISIT rolled out fingerprints and photos at 115 airports for most visa holders
In 2006: Biometric entry is now fully in place for foreign nationals at air ports of entry
In 2009: An Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) became mandatory for Visa Waiver travelers flying in pre screening before you are allowed to board
2008+: Global Entry launched and expanded, letting pre vetted travelers skip the long lines (my favorite thing ever lol)
2010s to now: Facial recognition is now standard at most major international airports, where Customs and Border Protection (CBP) compares your face to your passport photo as part of an expanding biometric exit system at boarding gates. Digital tools like Mobile Passport Control and the Global Entry app continue cutting wait times for eligible travelers

Aviation Amiga Advice:
If you fly international into the US regularly, Global Entry or Mobile Passport Control is a pro traveler move. Keep your passport photo page clean and your ESTA current!

Hey Everyone!

The last post blew up and got a lot of comments, so I wanted to clear up a few points and keep this useful for both crew and travelers.

What the original post was about:
ICE is using TSA Secure Flight data to locate people at check-in counters and gates on domestic flights. This includes some people who entered legally and still have pending applications, not only people with final removal orders. Airline and gate agents are not the ones making these stops. This is federal immigration enforcement.

A few important clarifications:
- Immigration removal is a civil process, not a criminal one. There is no jury. Cases are decided by an immigration judge. People generally have the right to a hearing, to present evidence, and (in most cases) to appeal. That process still exists, and people deserve it.
- Right now the focus is immigration status. Once a system is built that lets federal agents pull passenger data and intercept people at the gate, the criteria can expand. Today it’s visa overstays. Tomorrow it could easily become other things the government decides to prioritize, including certain petty crimes or civil issues. Passenger data doesn’t stay limited to one use once the infrastructure is in place.
- My personal view is that we need real immigration reform. Enforcement without clear, fair process creates problems for travelers, for families, and for those of us working the front line.

Aviation Amiga Advice:
If you have an expired visa, a pending application, or any uncertainty about your status, treat domestic air travel as higher risk right now. Double-check your documents before you leave for the airport, and if there’s any doubt, speak with an immigration attorney before travel day. Once you’re at the gate or past security, your options become very limited.

Crew - we’re still just doing our jobs, boarding, bags, and passenger care. Stay professional, calm and please have empathy.

If anyone has questions about how this is actually playing out on the ground, drop them below! Stay safe everyone

Good evening Travelers,

Just saw this on my Facebook and wanted to give a quick note from my side as a Gate Agent.

So ICE has been making arrests at check-in counters and arrival gates in a growing number of airports (reports say at least 15). They’re targeting foreign nationals who have overstayed visas, including some people married to U.S. citizens and others with pending applications, it’s not just people with final removal orders anymore.

TSA’s Secure Flight data (the name/DOB/gender/photo info airlines send when a ticket is booked) is being used to help identify them. Both agencies are under DHS, so unfortunately data-sharing is legal.

Just so you know, the Airline and gate agents are not the ones doing these stops. This is federal immigration enforcement. We still handle boarding, bags, and passenger care the same way we always have.

Caution for Travelers ‼️
If someone has an expired visa, pending status, or is in any kind of immigration process, domestic flying is higher risk right now than it was even a few months ago. The current DHS message is basically “the only reason you should be flying is to leave the country.”

Practical Aviation Amiga Advice: Double-check every document before you get to the airport, and if there’s any uncertainty about immigration status, talk to an immigration attorney before travel day. Once you’re at the gate or airside, options get very limited very fast.

Stay safe out there! Look out for each other, and as always, if anyone has questions about how this is playing out on the ground, drop them below for fellow crew to answer

Tell me about that one flight you’ll never forget!

Someone recently asked over in another sub how bags really go missing. A former bag room employee answered with the possible reasons bag room employees deal with every day, so I figured it was worth sharing here.

- TSA is taking forever to inspect them
- A jam somewhere in the conveyor system (everything behind it sits until it’s cleared)
- The destination tag gets ripped off while it’s moving through the system
- The scanner misreads the tag and sends it to the wrong pier
- It was tagged wrong at the check-in counter
- The bag was checked in too late to make it through the system in time
- It fell off a cart and nobody noticed right away
- The pilots say they can’t wait any longer and have to push for their takeoff slot
- Straight-up human error, it just got left sitting at the pier

Most of the time it’s not one dramatic mistake. It’s a chain of small things that add up under time pressure. From what I’ve seen recently though, the Tower has added some additional time for mis-connecting passengers (lat flight of the day to its destination) and / or their bags so as to not potentially overload the next flight with bags and cause a Weight Restriction.

Aviation Amiga Advice:
Get to the airport with enough buffer, 45 minutes before domestic departure is the cutoff. 1 hour internationally. Make sure the tag is on solidly with the correct destination information and has your current contact information. A sturdy bag that doesn’t look like it’s about to explode at the seams helps too. if you’re cutting it close, don’t be shocked if the bag doesn’t make the same plane you do.

Bag room / ramp people - Anything you’d add to the list?
Travelers - Ever had a bag go missing and later found out why that’s not on this list? Let us know!

Drop your stories! The more stories / advice, the better 😊

Sending your kid on a plane alone feels like a big deal, and it is! Airlines have pretty clear rules to keep your precious babies safe and they are allocated in specific cabin areas near flight attendants for supervision, typically assigning seats in the rear section of the aircraft (AC) during connecting itineraries so crew members can easily monitor them.

Here’s the quick breakdown most U.S. airlines follow:

- Under 5 years cannot fly alone
- 5 - 7 years usually can only be on nonstop or through flights, and they MUST use the unaccompanied minor (UM) service (There is usually a Fee)
- 8 - 11 (or up to 14 on some airlines) can fly alone but still need / recommend the UM service
- 12 - 17 Can fly without the formal UM program on most domestic flights, but a lot of parents still request it (and pay for it). International is much stricter.

Some additional information:
- Most airlines won’t let younger kids take connecting flights (JetBlue (B6), SW, UA)
- There’s almost always an extra fee ($50 - $150 each flight leg)
- The person dropping them off usually has to get a gate pass so they can walk the UM all the way to the gate
- The person picking them up has to show ID and be the name on the form, no last-minute switches (security / liability risks)

As a Gate Agent, one thing I see a lot of parents don’t realize is that airlines deliberately seat UMs near the back or close to the flight attendants for safety reasons. We’ve had kids quietly take off their lanyards and try to bolt off the plane the second the door opens, thinking they can just meet their parents on their own. That’s why seats in the rear (or near a jump seat) make it way easier for the FA to keep eyes on them the whole flight and control the deplaning. Buying a seat up front for your kid might feel nicer, but it can actually make monitoring harder. Why pay more than the expensive service? We got your precious cargo covered from start to end once you pay for the services.

Aviation Amiga takeaway for parents:
- Book the earliest nonstop you can.
- Put a copy of the itinerary and phone numbers in their carry-on (and label the bag with their name)
- Put a bandage with emergency contact information on your child incase they do manage to run off (kids are sneaky!!)
- Pack a small “just in case” kit: snacks, a sweater (planes get cold), meds, and a little spending cash
- Tell them out loud to NEVER leave the airport with a stranger, and go straight to a uniformed airline employee if something feels off.
- Sometime before Day of Departure (DOD) take your younger ones to familiarize themselves with the Airport and the employees they will be interacting with.

Parents - Have you sent a kid as an unaccompanied minor? What went better (or worse) than you expected?
Crew / gate agents - What’s one thing that makes UM flights easier (or harder) for you? Any “almost got away” stories?

Drop your experiences! Let’s have a helpful discussion 😊

We see this more than you’d think. I don’t know how but people manage to grab the wrong valet bags all the time.

As a Gate Agent, I can tell you, we can’t just open someone else’s bag (or force them to open it) without a second employee present, it’s a liability. The best advice I give in this situation is either go to the customer service desk and get it handed to a manager or go directly to the Baggage Service Office (BSO), give it to them with your flight details and file a claim for your lost bag so if someone does end up, turning it in, they could’ve taken it on a connection with them and realized too late and turn it into a different airport, the BSO will be able to get in contact with you once the bag is found.

Honestly, most of these “stolen” bags are mix-ups because people are rushing. Someone unfortunately grabbed the wrong shade of blue in the rush, walked off, and didn’t double check. A smaller percentage are actual intentional thefts. Either way, once the bag is gone, our ability to fix it on the spot drops to almost zero. Cameras become a TSA/airport police thing and that requires filing the BSO report and a Police report.

Aviation Amiga Tips:
- Put a unique, bright luggage tag or ribbon on the handle, something that stands out immediately
- Snap a quick photo of your bag in the bin before you sit down
- If you’re in a window/middle, put the bag across the aisle or a few rows forward so you can watch the bin during deplaning
- AirTag / Tile is cheap insurance, would recommend

Crew - what’s your overhead-bin mix-up or theft story you’ve dealt with?
Passengers - has this happened to you and did the bag ever reappear?

Drop your stories!

Here’s the deal guys

Aisles are narrow. When you stand up the second the seatbelt sign dings (or worse, while the Aircraft (AC) is still taxiing), you create a traffic jam that slows everyone down. It also makes it harder for crew to move through the cabin for safety checks or help passengers who actually need assistance and on tight turns or during boarding, those extra minutes add up fast, especially when we’re trying to push back on time.

We get it, you’re excited to get off, or you suddenly remember something in your bag. But those few seconds of patience make a surprising difference.

Looking out from the galley and the jumpseat, Gate agents and flight attendants are usually juggling a million things at once, connecting passengers, wheelchairs, unaccompanied minors (UMNR), and tight schedules. A little awareness from everyone helps the whole operation flow. Ground handlers are watching the clock too, because every minute on the ground costs money and affects the next inbound or outbound.

Aviation’s Amiga Tips:
- Stay seated until the aircraft is fully stopped at the gate and the crew says it’s okay.
- If you need something from your bag, do a quick mental check before descent.
- Bonus pro move: Have your documents and small essentials easily accessible in a personal item, not buried in the overhead 😉

Crew & gate agents: what’s your biggest pet peeve during boarding/deplaning?
Travelers: what’s the funniest or most frustrating thing you’ve seen happen in the aisle?

Let’s hear it. The more we talk about this stuff, the smoother flying gets for everyone!

Good morning, Travelers!

It’s 5am. You drop your bag at the counter, it disappears down the belt, and then… where does it go from there?

Here’s what actually goes on out there on the ramp:

Ground handlers or Ramp agents, are moving fast in all kinds of weather to get your bags from the terminal to the cargo hold in minutes. They’re scanning, sorting, loading heavy containers, all under tight turn constraints. One misplaced tag or overloaded bag can create a domino effect.

Common issues seen:
- Overpacked or oddly shaped bags that don’t fit well in bins or containers
- Fragile items not marked or protected
- Last minute bags that throw off the weight and balance calculations

Pilots rely on accurate load sheets. If bags are late or misloaded, it can delay pushback. Ground teams are working in all kinds of weather, sometimes in extreme heat, cold, rain, or snow (kudos to yall! I could never 😭) trying to keep everything moving safely. A little help from passengers goes a long way toward on time departures

Aviation Amiga Tips:
- Use sturdy bags that close properly and aren’t bursting at the seams
- Put a visible luggage tag with your name and phone number on the outside (and inside just incase).
- If you have fragile or valuable items, consider carrying on them in a personal item or using proper protective packaging and “Fragile” labels.
- Weigh your bag before heading to the airport, surprise fees aren’t fun for anyone. (My mom actually taught me this little trick lol)

Ground handlers and ramp crew: What’s one thing passengers could do that would make your job noticeably easier?
Travelers: Ever had a bag horror story (lost, damaged, or the mysterious detour to another city)? How was it resolved?

Share your experiences below. Let’s swap tips and war stories 😎

That heart sinking moment when the captain comes on and says “folks, we’re diverting to (probably somewhere you’ve never heard of)”… yeah, cue the collective 😩 behind the scenes though, it’s not total chaos. There’s actually a very structured process going on in the cockpit

Whether it’s a serious medical emergency, mechanical issue, or weather (or that viral mid-air situation that suddenly blows up on social media 💀) here’s what’s happening:

- Safety first, ALWAYS. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations require the crew to divert to the nearest suitable airport when continuing to the original destination would compromise safety. “Suitable” means it has the right runway length, emergency services, fuel availability, and can handle your aircraft type.
- The pilots are running quick calculations: weather, NOTAMs, alternate airport capabilities, and how much time/fuel they have.
- Cabin crew prepares the cabin, coordinates with ground teams at the diversion airport, and manages passenger needs.
- The airline’s dispatch (operationally) and legal teams (GSC/CRO) alongside customer service agents, jump in for reaccommodation, hotels, and new flights.

From the flight deck, choosing a diversion airport under time pressure is a lot of mental juggling. They’re balancing FAA-mandated safety protocols with operational reality. Sometimes the “nearest” airport isn’t the best long-term option, so they weigh all their options fast. Ground handlers at diversion airports often get slammed with surprise arrivals (or return to gates) so shoutout to them for turning planes so quickly, especially with the staff shortages going on!

Aviation Amiga Tips:
- Stay calm and follow crew instructions guys, they’re trained for this
- If diverted, note your airline’s rebooking policy and be polite but proactive at the gate or with customer service.
- Pack a small “emergency ready kit” in your carryon: charger, snacks, medications, and a change of clothes if possible.

Travelers: Have you ever been on a diverted flight? Where did you end up and how did the airline handle it?
Pilots / Crew: What goes into picking a diversion airport when things get urgent? Any memorable stories? (no sensitive details please!)

Drop your experiences below! The good, the bad, and the “we spent 12 hours in hell and half of Georgia” 😂

UPDATE: Just confirmed with a pilot that all this information is accurate and applies to mostly unplanned emergency diversions as there are nuances and planned for ‘just in case’ diversions in the Flight plan/release so the crew has an idea on the way to the destination airport IF anything happens.

The only inaccurate information: The Flight Attendant texting from the air. That was my mistake as I thought the messaging app we use during boarding is available to the flight attendants in the air to coordinate with Dispatch like they do on the ground or emergency services.

Good morning, Travelers!

We all love scoring a deal on flights. But when flights get delayed, canceled, or chaotic… does booking through a third-party come back to bite you? As someone who works the gates, I’ve seen way too many “it was fine until it wasn’t” stories. So let’s settle this!

What’s your experience with third-party travel sites (Expedia, Priceline, etc.)? Drop your stories (good, bad, or ugly) in the comments!

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