So there I was at the airport trying to understand how the computer can code my ticket as being approved and paid but unable to issue… The woman behind me starts to check in while I call my travel agency after they made the same mistake twice in less than a week.
The Delta agent tells her that she can’t check her bag because the dimensions are outside of their approved length. While the agent explains that she will have to ship the bag as freight, the woman counters that she has flown multiple times with the same bag. After a couple of minutes of arguing, the woman tells the agent that she is not just visiting Beijing for personal enjoyment but, that the funny looking long bag contains her pole vault so she can compete in the Olympics. I thought at that point the argument would be over. Unfazed the agent reiterates that the bag must be shipped freight and should arrive in a few weeks. (after the competition) Sarcastically, I suggest that she ship it as a really long pair of skis. To our surprise the agent says she can do that and the bag goes through with a simple oversized bag fee.
I understand letter of the law. I understand spirit of the law. Usually I like watching people come up with reasons for their actions. Other times I wonder how humanity mastered tools beyond the rock.
Bureaucracies like the Delta corporation typically don’t encourage creativity. I’m not surprised the agent didn’t attempt to find a solution – it’s easy to be an automaton.