The Official "Douchebag" Thread

[Andrew35]

Trying to get myself back into the swing of things on this forum, so I'll be posting a lot more than usual.

I'm back working overnight at my job; I do mostly cashiering on the register where tobacco products and alcohol are sold. That means, I have to "card" (as in ask for ID) anyone up to 40 purchasing tobacco or alcohol. In addition, my store's policies require me to card anyone with the purchaser if they look like they are underage (21 for smokes, 18 for the drunk juice) if they even touch the product, in order to avoid "third party" sales (where adults buy liquor or cigs for their underage friends). And on top of that, my state has a specific law where we cannot even sell alcohol between the hours of 2 AM and 6 AM.

That means, between the customers who bitch about why I have to "card" them every time they buy cigs (the register actually prompts me for their birth date, and I have to key it in if I ask for ID); the ones who get pissed because they give me a non-valid, expired, or tampered ID and I have to reject them; and the customers who really bite my head off because I have to check everyone even though "I'm just the one buying them!!"....yeah, I end up averaging one douchebag a night. On Fridays and weekends, maybe even two per day. One time, a young man went off on me because I asked for his ID to buy cigs, citing "his Constitutional rights as a veteran". He calmed down a bit after I reminded him that Constitution notwithstanding, I had to follow state law and our company policy.

It's not my choice, y'allz....I gotta follow the policies I'm paid to offer, and my paycheck keeps me with a roof over my head, food in my belly, and 10 years of VNA membership. So please, if you are ever in the area and want to purchase any tobacco or alcohol, just have your ID ready and save both you and me precious time and aggravation.

Yeah I see people whining all the time, also they do if they have to show it at a bar. Here the law is that the bars and restaurants are supposed to card or they can get in trouble for not doing, most time I've seen the restaurants being slack, I'm like just hope an undercover cop isn't in here. But also they card people at stores when purchasing lighters, some guy turned to me in line and said isn't that ridiculous, I was like I guess but internally I was like it's law just do it don't make a big deal about.

[Kirstie]

I look pretty young so I almost always get carded when I get wine. Lately, the one guy hasn't cause he's rung me up a few times but other than that, it always happens. It sucks but they can get in trouble if they don't.

[WalterB]

I doubt that there's a law that you have to show ID to buy alcohol. The only way you could make that work is to make it a law that everyone has to show ID. And I don't know of anywhere where that is a law. It's store policy, sometimes because the store (or chain, such as 7-11,) has been caught selling to minors. So some stores say that you have to card everyone who looks less than 30 or something like that. Now, while I fully support not selling to minors, including alcohol, cigarettes and lighters, if you can't tell that I'm over 21, you've got bigger problems than I can solve. I have left my purchase on the counter and walked out, because I will not haul my drivers license out to show you. If that's your store policy, it's a stupid policy. You have to educate your clerks, and you have to trust them to be able to tell when someone is over 21, and to check if there's any doubt whatsoever.

[Anthony_JK]

I doubt that there's a law that you have to show ID to buy alcohol. The only way you could make that work is to make it a law that everyone has to show ID. And I don't know of anywhere where that is a law. It's store policy, sometimes because the store (or chain, such as 7-11,) has been caught selling to minors. So some stores say that you have to card everyone who looks less than 30 or something like that. Now, while I fully support not selling to minors, including alcohol, cigarettes and lighters, if you can't tell that I'm over 21, you've got bigger problems than I can solve. I have left my purchase on the counter and walked out, because I will not haul my drivers license out to show you. If that's your store policy, it's a stupid policy. You have to educate your clerks, and you have to trust them to be able to tell when someone is over 21, and to check if there's any doubt whatsoever.

I get what you are saying, Walt....but in my home state of Louisiana there is a law clearly stating that sellers of alcohol and tobacco have to card everyone at least up to 27 years old and also card for "third party" purchases. The company I work for is under a compact with the states that allows them to institute a higher age limit; thus, they go up to 40.

Personally, it is kind of a wack policy, on top of it being a real PITA for us checkers since we have to endure the wrath of customers when we are mandated to enforce this policy. Obviously, if you look over 40, you don't have to be carded at all; and I will usually let go someone who looks close to the 40 limit if there is no suspicion of an underage "third party" purchase. But, since one mistake can cost us our jobs and have us face criminal misdemeanor charges, plus get the store hit with a major fine and possible loss of licensing for selling alcohol and tobacco, we have to err with caution and enforce the policy strictly.

[WalterB]

I understand all that, Anthony, and again, fully support the general idea. And I don't get mad at the checkers. If I get into a snit, I politely explain to the checker that I'm not mad at them, and that I realize it is a store policy. But I guess, at my age, I feel I'm beyond all that. I know there are stores that are supposed to ask everyone, but they realize that I'm old enough, so they don't ask.

Some stores' registers are programmed to enter a birth date. If they ask, I make up a number (making myself a little younger in the process, lol,) and others I am sure are just keying in a number, since they can tell I'm old enough.

I know that people in front of me and, I assume, people behind me, are whipping out the old ID. It's just me being a snit.

So, If I come to La, I'd hope you wouldn't ask. But if you did, I'd make an exception, give you a dirty look , and whip out the old ID.

[Anthony_JK]

I understand all that, Anthony, and again, fully support the general idea. And I don't get mad at the checkers. If I get into a snit, I politely explain to the checker that I'm not mad at them, and that I realize it is a store policy. But I guess, at my age, I feel I'm beyond all that. I know there are stores that are supposed to ask everyone, but they realize that I'm old enough, so they don't ask.

Some stores' registers are programmed to enter a birth date. If they ask, I make up a number (making myself a little younger in the process, lol,) and others I am sure are just keying in a number, since they can tell I'm old enough.

I know that people in front of me and, I assume, people behind me, are whipping out the old ID. It's just me being a snit.

So, If I come to La, I'd hope you wouldn't ask. But if you did, I'd make an exception, give you a dirty look , and whip out the old ID.

If I know you're over 40, Walt, I don't ask...so you're good. If they are asking you for your ID, and they know you are legal, that's their overkill, not mine. My concern is those who are much closer to the legal age who get snooty when I card them, knowing fully well the policy.

[WalterB]

Absolutely, Anthony. Did I overkill again? I just felt it was necessary to differentiate. And I do still get asked at some stores, like 7-11. Not often, but it happens. Store policy.

Next trip thru La, I'll stop and buy a beer from you, Anthony just so you can say, "You're good, Walt. Now share it with me."

[PeterL22]

i always thought a douchebag was a bag for showers! Comes from French for shower. Het what do I know

[Anthony_JK]

Absolutely, Anthony. Did I overkill again? I just felt it was necessary to differentiate. And I do still get asked at some stores, like 7-11. Not often, but it happens. Store policy.

Next trip thru La, I'll stop and buy a beer from you, Anthony just so you can say, "You're good, Walt. Now share it with me."

Since I don't drink alcohol, Walt, you can simply share a Coke or Monster with me. That will do fine. [The same goes for the rest of you, too.]

[CGYMike]

Nuff said

[CGYMike]

There is a tie for "Douchebag of the Week"

Dumb-ass above and this disaster of a company...

[WalterB]

Sorry, Mike. I can't agree with that. United did nothing wrong. The passenger was courteously asked to deplane. He refused. He was asked again and he refused again. After several attempts, the airline called the police. He then refused to obey the lawful order of a Law Enforcement officer. The airline was totally within their rights. And, like so many instances, none of this would have happened if the passenger had simply deplaned and taken the later flight. He made no effort to work with the airline to find an alternate flight that would work for him. He very simply refused to obey the lawful request of an air crew member AND a Law Enforcement officer.

I can remember being booted at least twice in my lifetime, possibly once or twice more. And, in NONE of those times was I arrested and/or beaten up. One resulted in an overnight stay. They put me up in a hotel, and bought me dinner and breakfast. The other time I can remember, I think I got $300 and a later flight. But I was never arrested. I am at a loss to understand the thinking that would result in something like this. It's even written on your ticket receipt. Have you ever read that information? You might be surprised. While you pay for the flight, you have no permanent claim to a seat on that specific flight. If the airline asks you to deplane, your only choice is to deplane. Two others did that on this flight. You know what? Neither was beat up or arrested. And I bet right now that they are at their destination. Meanwhile, the belligerent passenger who was so important that he HAD to be at his destination the next morning, is now in the hospital, and will be in that city for a while. He should at the very least should be charged with interfering with the lawful directive of an air crew member and interfering with a transportation medium.

When I grew up, I was taught to respect authority. When I am given a lawful order by someone in a position of authority, like it or not, I obey that request/order. Pretty simple, really. And of course, China is calling the Race card, even in the face of a total lack of evidence of ANY discrimination. What the hell has happened to today's society? Since when do so many people think that their "rights" extend above everything else?

[CGYMike]

I get that airlines under the law have the right to overbook and bump passengers, but as I understand it in this case, United failed to account for 4 of their own employees who were "dead heading" back to another city.

All of a sudden they are asking passengers who have already been assigned seats to give them up. United failed in my opinion in their planning ahead to take care of their own.

I just think the situation should have never reached to the point of calling in the authorities....just my humble opinion.

I always enjoy a spirited discussion Walt and truly value your opinion as always...now only if we could get Catalina to come out of hibernation we could have a real adult exchange of ideas :)

Cheers my Brother

Mike

[stickyvicky]

Another solution would have been to keep upping the offer until someone volunteered. That is the correct way to do it. They are allowed to go up to $1300 or $1500 per seat I believe. They were no where near that yet. If your job depends on you being somewhere the next day for work, then $600 is of little use to you if you make your boss furious. if you are heading to Denver for a ski trip or a hiking trip with a group with a guide and you miss them and they leave without you, how does $600 help you when you lost your money that you paid for the trip and you missed the whole trip? If you have a $10,000 speaking engagement and you are speaking that evening, them forcing you to fly the next day instead would make you miss your speech, miss your $10,000 payday and possibly ruin your career and reputation because you were a NO SHOW. What if you are flying to go be the best man in someone's wedding? End of friendship.

People have lives! No Walt! I have to disagree with you! They are wrong wrong wrong. They should have kept offering more money for volunteers and none of this would have happened. They also should have done it in the terminal, before everyone boarded the plane.

[WalterB]

Sorry Vicky. I disagree. Life is full of issues and problems and inconveniences. Nothing is solved by being belligerent and fighting and refusing to obey authority. If life throws something in your face, you don't start fighting. You handle it by making other arrangements. No one person has rights over anyone else.

Again, I have not led an innocent life. But I have never been beat up by a cop. I obey what those in authority ask and I make other plans. Not hard to do.

[stickyvicky]

He wasn't belligerent. He just said NO. Ask someone else. He never took a swing at anyone. He just sat there saying NO until they manhandled him and hurt him in the process.

[WalterB]

I'm sorry, Vicky but he was belligerent. Have you seen the video? He sat there and loudly complained "NO! I am NOT getting off." You don't have to swing at someone to be belligerent. Arguing in a loud and boisterous manner is also belligerence.

How long are they supposed to stand there listening to the guy say "No?" He does not own the seat. At some point, they have to act because this fellow is inconveniencing the other 137 (or whatever) people on the aircraft who also want to get to their destination. Again, life is full of inconvenience. When did this guy get ownership of United Airlines?

And what about his claim that "I'm a Doctor. I have to get home to see my patients?" Did he have heart surgery scheduled? Or just some appointments to check somebody's headache? Was it just normal office appointments? Doctors reschedule those all the time. I still think that if he had handled this in a rational manner, he'd be where he wanted to go right now. But, no. He didn't even ask to speak to management. He made no effort to discuss his issue in a sane and accommodating manner. He just sat there and argued "No!. I'm not getting off." His abject refusal to act in a proper manner is still what motivated this whole thing. If he had gotten off of the plane and discussed his issue with the gate attendant, they would have done their best to accommodate him. They do it all the time.

I realize that I am not going to convince anyone to think my way, (nor me to your way, lol.) I do agree that United could have handled this in a much better manner. They could have called in a supervisor. They could have discussed the issue with him on a much more intelligent manner. Could they have upped the ante? Yes, they could but how far do they need to go? Airlines have been overbooking ever since there were airlines. Like I said, I may not be as important as a doctor, but I have never had an issue like this, for one simple reason. I do what they say and discuss it later with the proper people.

Did I argue and fight with police when I got ticketed for jaywalking in Los Angeles, at 11 PM, when there was no traffic anywhere? No, I did not. I saw the police standing at the taco stand and walked ahead anyway. And, yes, I was pretty astounded when they decided they wanted to ticket me. But the correct response is to accept the ticket, and then, if you wish, go into court and fight it there. Bottom line jaywalking is against the law - for a reason.

[Andrew35]

Actually they showed some other video where he initially said he would leave then when he was told they weren't going to book another flight, that's when he said no.

[stickyvicky]

I also heard, not sure if it's a rumour or not, that the $800 credit they offered everyone can only be used in increments of $50 per time, and would expire in a year? Anyone else hear that?

[WalterB]

Vicky, no (haven't heard that.) I guess it's not hard to believe they would expire in a year.The airline can't leave them out there forever. It's like a check. You generally have a certain period to cash a check, or it will be canceled. But the $50 increments? That's probably not hard to believe, either, I guess.

Andrew, haven't seen that video but I find it hard to believe. Not saying it didn't happen, just that I haven't heard it. And haven't seen anyone report on it. It seems like, if it really happened, that would be out there as well. But I don't understand the "he was told they weren't going to book another flight." That's the whole idea. The passenger leaves the plane, and the airline will book them on another flight, and will attempt to get the passenger to his destination as close to his original arrival time as possible. The Monetary reward is separate from that. An added incentive, if you will.

And, yes, I also realize that I grew up in a different place and time. I know that these things just didn't happen in the '50's, or '60's or 70's or even the 80's. They just didn't happen. When asked to deplane, if a police officer gave you a directive, if someone in authority at any venue directed you, you obeyed them. You didn't throw a temper tantrum and act like the world owed you something. Like I said before, life is full of difficulty. To me, the sign of intelligence and maturity is that you take life's difficulties and you handle them. If you encounter a bump n the road, you plan a route around it. You don't stand there and scream at the bump that it has to move because you ain't.


And, CGYMike, I think you realize that some of my beliefs are going to be different from others. That's what makes good friends. They can discuss things, and even disagree, but discuss it rationally. Thanks for your thoughts and posts. I don't even know if my thoughts are correct. They're just my thoughts. But right or wrong, it's nice to be able to discuss things without pissing someone off. Always great to see your thoughts and ideas.

Even if they're wrong (OK, I'll stop now, lol. Thank goodness everyone knows I'm generally a smart-ass, lol.)