I no longer remember the names of the crew nor the station that this happened at, but I certainly remember the incident!
We crew members were required to wear our I.D. badges displayed on our lapels when going through security, in the airport, and going to crew check-in. Now- this was fairly early in my career, so the security was not was it was now days.
It had been newly implemented that the gate agents checked your crew I.D. badge before letting you on the aircraft. I had arrived for check-in at Detroit- and realized that my I.D. badge was not on my lapel! It was a matter of habit to always have it on when I left the house!
I was in a panic! I knew that I had put it on! Where was my I.D. badge!? I had successfully gotten down to check-in without it- but had a long 3 day trip! Now what?! I shared this with my crew. I was flying on a Convair 580- so it was just the cockpit pilots and myself.
My thinking was that the badge had somehow come off in my car. But I had no time before departure to go back and look for it! The Captain didn't think it would be much of a problem- he could vouch for me.
The first two days went by without a hitch. We were boarded without going through security and the gate agents. Whew!
But on the third day we were informed there would be a aircraft change. Evidently there was an aircraft rotation for maintenance purposes. I don't remember what station this was at. But we had to wait at the gate for our new aircraft to arrive.
Once the crew that brought the new aircraft in deplaned, we were ready to board. The agent looked at our badges as we boarded. The pilots went through, then the agent went to check mine- which I didn't have! I explained the situation- but the rules were the rules! I was not permitted to board!!
I could see it now! The flight would need to be cancelled- or delayed until a Stewardess with proper I.D. arrived to take over the flight! I was near tears. Oh man! I almost made it without a hitch!
I sat in the boarding area, my mind a mess with what would possibly happen now! And without proper I.D. I wouldn't even be able to get back home - unless I purchased a ticket! I didn't have enough money for a ticket!! I tried not to panic!
I tried to call crew scheduling- they were still in Detroit at that time and knew me well. Could they do something? I couldn't get ahold of them! Just as I was about to panic my Captain appeared. He simply took me by the hand and led me out to the aircraft, with the agent protesting as we went.
The Captain (God Bless Him) simply said "She's my crew member! I can vouch for her. I've been flying with her for several years- and for the past three days!" But the agent protested, saying "The Rules Are The Rules!" The Captain simply replied to get the passengers onboard- we were getting ready to leave!
The passengers came on- and off we flew to Detroit! Once we landed I was met by a supervisor! Evidently the agent made a scathing call about this "irresponsible" Stewardess who was flying around without an I.D. badge, flaunting the security rules! According to the Supervisor, the agent was hot with anger! Oh my!
I pled my case. I knew I had that damn badge on when I left home! I had to fill out a form, explaining my side of the story. And that was the end of it.
When I finally was done with my "scolding" I went out to my car. Sure enough, my security badge was caught up in my shoulder strap on my seat belt! Grrr! Needless to say- I was a bit more aware of where that badge was each time I exited a vehicle!
That was one of those situations when the rules indeed ruled! Logic and a Captain's word didn't outweigh the rules in the agent's mind!
For my part, I was beginning to question "Murphy's Law"- where if something could go wrong- it will---at least when it came to myself!
Looking back I write it off to having a bit too many irons in the fire! There's only so many hats you can wear before something slips through the cracks! But all's well that ends well! My I.D. badge was never lost again! I put my badge in my purse until I exited my car! And I'm sure the gate agent realized that sometimes these things happen to us all! At least, I hope so!
Until Next Time, Dear Readers!
Life Is Indeed An Adventure! And Some Adventures Are Uncomfortable Lessons To Be Learned!
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