Dismissed check-in operator ‘pleaded for forgiveness’

An Aer Lingus check-in operator got down on his knees and pleaded for forgiveness after being challenged by his manager over reported breaches in procedure while processing passengers, a tribunal was told.

The Aer Lingus emergency response manager was giving evidence to the Employment Appeals Tribunal in an action taken by Rex Ijisonuwe, of Termonfeckin, Co Louth, against the airline.

A rights commissioner had rejected the check-in operator’s case alleging unfair dismissal and the tribunal held a full hearing by way of an appeal by Mr Ijisonuwe against that decision.

The emergency response manager, who was manager of passenger service for Aer Lingus in 2010, said he was contacted on June 14, 2010, by a duty manager in relation to check-in procedures carried out by Mr Ijisonuwe.

At a subsequent meeting Mr Ijisonuwe admitted to breaches of procedure in the checking-in of passengers and baggage, the emergency response manager said.

He had checked in passengers and baggage without the passengers being present and accepted passport documentation from an unknown non-travelling third person.

The manager gave evidence that he had not followed any of the normal transaction check-in requirements and “he did not know the passenger[s] from Adam”.

He said Mr Isijonuwe had got down on his knees and said “please forgive me, you only caught me once”.

The tribunal was told he was dismissed for gross misconduct on July 8, 2010, following investigation and disciplinary hearings.

Mr Ijisonuwe said he had been approached by a Nigerian man with his wife and an infant seeking assistance. The wife and infant were passengers seeking to check in and, while he told them about the correct check-in area, he had assisted them as the infant was crying. He said he was trained by the company that all passengers were VIPs and he had communicated with the man as his wife did not have good English. He had carried out the normal security checks and had no concerns about the passengers.

A union official, who represented him at the in-house hearings, said employees had to use discretion in dealing with customers and had to evaluate each situation. She described Mr Ijisonuwe as a fine colleague and believed his version of events.

The tribunal said it was unanimously of the view he was in breach of check-in and safety procedures which were of paramount importance. It was satisfied the Aer Lingus action in dismissing him was not unfair.