Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport — Attraction in Alaska

I'm leaving this review for Ted Steven's because Alaska Airlines customer service was amazing at rectifying the situation (aaand I might still be in the airport hot ticked...)

To the blonde working the Alaska Airlines check-in counter on January 5th, around 6pm: you were the only unpleasant person I've ever dealt with in my time using Alaska Air.

I had a 10 year old and 2 cats with me. We had called Alaska Airlines at least 3 times to verify we had everything we needed to be flight ready. You stared me down from the moment we arrived at the counter and as soon as we were done checking out with our assistant, you STOPPED us and told us we couldn't proceed. Either "someone over 18 had to be handling one of our cats or we had to purchase an adjacent empty seat". Alaska Air had set up my pet reservation and told us my son's adjacent seat was acceptable and I'm definitely over 18 and can handle both cats in 1 or 2 carriers (comfortably). Your coworker told me, "I don't want to butt in, but the Alaska Airline rules can be different than our rules." So I called, and they said even Ted Stevens employees working for AA were still under AA rules & regs and that was not true, whatsoever.

What really strikes me as unprofessional was you admitted you could be wrong, said you would look up the rules, and the FIRST rule of pet travel said "kids under 18 aren't allowed to handle pets". You used that ONE rule to weaponize the way you treated me, then refused to look at any other of the 5 rules that allowed me onto my flight with no issues. THEN when I read AA pet policy to you verbatim and started to call the Alaska Air hotline, you told me "don't cry yet, I'll go ask my manager". You came back you told me you'd do me this one-time nicety and allow me to have the adjacent seat for free because the flight wasn't booked solid. I wasn't booked an extra seat, they just stopped putting up a fight and let me through.

Honestly, I'm just fed up with Airline Concierge Bullies. I work in a field where rules and regulations change ALL the time. I'm more than understanding if someone down the line was incorrect, even if in this case it was you. What I don't appreciate is throwing around black and white definitives just to make things more difficult, then patronizing me for sticking up for myself. I'd really hope your insurance agent isn't as black and white as you were with me. If I have to read the fine print, so do you ma'am. Read your OTHER 8 million pet rules before throwing your weight around. Beforehand, I read through the entire pet policy, we called multiple times, we did OUR due diligence. It's hard not to be upset when you inserted yourself just to do the bare minimum for no reason.

UPDATE: I'm now stuck in LAX with another 8 hour layover just to fly in to DFW - 4 hour drive from my original destination. My 2nd flight was cancelled and they had to add 2 different connecting flights to get me to DFW instead of OKC. The emergency exit door blew off another plane and they grounded all similar models. The same blonde lady at the ticket counter knew that. According to Alaska Airlines, their informational release and cancellations were well in circulation by the time we checked in and they looked at my itinerary. Now I know why you didn't even talk to me about a 3rd seat in my connecting flight, just my first one. You knew it was cancelled the whole time and said nothing. How disappointing. You could've sent me and my annoying-to-you cats home and we would have been out of your hair??? I'm stuck at the airport for 26 hours because of this with an added 4 hour drive home. Congratulations, You've infuriated me 👏

UPDATE #2: 42 hours later, we finally made it home. This absolutely felt malicious and I hope she has a really bad day. My cats were soaked in their own pee. I had asked for her name but she never gave it and we weren't even working with her, she just butted in when we were going to be let through...

I had a horrible experience going through the TSA check point at the Ted Stevens International Airport, Anchorage Alaska (ANC). But more importantly we had several TSA staff make complaints to us about how they are under staff. That became quite apparent as we saw the rate of speed and lack of caring in TSA as they performed their duty. I would challenge anyone reading this to review the video footage from September 2, 2023 at (ANC) TSA Check point from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm and say that TSA has performing their job to the proper standard and not just pushing people through as fast as they can. I personally found it to be a huge safety concerns.

And it is truly apparent that TSA is overwhelmed and don't care about performing their job correctly to ensure the safety of their passengers.

On September 2, 2023 at approximately 4:55 pm my wife and I, Thomas Wood were going through the TSA check point at the Ted Stevens International Airport, Anchorage Alaska (ANC). After waiting in line for about a hour we had finally made our way to the check point where they scan your bag. This is when I came in to contact with TSA Security Officer Ty-Rico Lea. I asked TSA Security Officer Lea (who I will refer to as Mr. Lea) if I could have a bin for my personal items. Mr. Lea, in an authoritarian/ demeaning and rude tone stated no put your items on the table while angrily gesturing towards and tapping the table with one finger.

I did as I was told and put my camera bag on the table with my wallet, phone and belt. Mr Lea looked at me and angrily demanded that I put my other personal items in my bag. I replied "Sir that's why I am asking for a bin. My camera bag is full and my items won't fit in my camera bag". Mr. Lea look at me and stated I have already told you you're not getting a bin. Mr. Lea then point at my wife and stated in a rude demeaning tone is that your wife put your stuff in her bag. I did as he asked and put my loose items in my wife's bag.

I once again asked Mr Lea for a bin trying to explain that I would like a bin for my camera bag as I was worried about possible damage to the bag and contents of the bag as it was my wife's camera equipment that is extremely expensive and important to us.

Mr. Lea then stated something to the effect you're not getting through this security check point with a bin that's the last time I am telling you. He said this in an authoritarian manner suggesting I might be in some kind of trouble if I did not do send my belongings though the x-ray machine unsecured as he had ordered me to.

At this point I stated "Sir may I ask your name so I can file a complaint. Mr. Lea then stated my name is Lea.

"Look, we deal with tons of people and there's nothing left with my social battery put your stuff on the belt" Mr. Lea stated.

I did as I was ordered to and went though the TSA Security Check Point. I might add it was extremely alarming how fast my belongings and myself passed though the TSA Security Check Point. It was very evident that safety of the airport and travelers was not important to TSA. It was evident that they just want to get people through as fast as possible.

After clearing though TSA Security Check Point I searched for the phone number for TSA (ANC) and called them and asked for a supervisor. I spoke with a women named Beth and i explained a short version of what had taken place. She apologized and said that she would speak with Mr. Lea.

I am a former Alaskan resident, I am a combat veteran, I am a purple heart recipient, I am a US citizen and I am truly saddened to see how much respect Mr. Lea has for his fellow men and how he represents the United States government...

'Ello Chaps,

Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport is the state's busiest airport, seeing approximately six million visitors each year.

That's busy for Alaska, but slow for someone from a major city. However, that's also what makes this airport standout. There is great design and aesthetics throughout the airport that truly make you feel like you're in Alaska. The art on display and throughout the terminal is fantastic.

There's a fun kids play area and a small library (though a bit more care could be given to the condition of this little control tower library). Also, if you have time to spare, head upstairs to the Observation area. Great views.

There are a variety of restaurants and shops pre-security and post-security, although the prices are excessively high. 49th State Brewery charged $20 for a basic glass of wine; even for Alaska and airport standards this is excessive.

Another complaint is the rental car companies who act like predators in their process, trying to take advantage of customers who may not know any better, attempting to get a 'yes' on every single upcharge. Many people have personal car insurance and credit cards who provide insurance coverages for rental cars. These rental car companies already have a person's information on file before arrival, so what should be a 90 second process becomes a 10-15 check in process per person, which is the last thing you want to deal with when you've landed after 12 hours of travel at 1 a.m. As a "non corporate" location, the car rental companies seem to make up rules willy nilly that not only counter corporate rules and policies, but further aggravate the customer who rents vehicles on a near weekly basis.

Whether you're in the airport or out in the perimeter, the plane views are in a league of their own. The airport has a number of publicly-accessible spaces where you can see some of the largest aircraft in the world fly in and out with a steady flow of 747s, 330s, 777s, and more.

Overall I give Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport 4 Stars out of 5. It's very accessible, clean, and just a cool airport, but the excessive cost of goods and services and predatory practices from the rental car companies leave something...