The power held by airline ticket agents : Kathika Travel Website

Stay on their good side, or you may find yourself:

Getting additional security screening. Some ticket agents can highlight certain tickets for secondary security screening. This means you go through one-on-one screening with a security guard. This is rare, but apparently it happens.
Paying higher fees, Often, if your bag is a little heavier or larger than it should be, a ticket agent will let it slide. Annoy her and she’s going to enforce those fees.
Looking for your luggage. The ticket agent tags your bag with the information about where you’re going. A mistagged bag can get lost in transit.
Missing your flight. Airline ticket agents can delay you at their line.
Losing your chosen seats. On most airlines these days, you can choose your seats. However, the ticket agent can change your seat at his/her discretion. If you don’t want a seat in the evacuation lane or next to the airplane bathroom, you might not want to annoy your agent.