Do people ever assume you don't have Altitude/Nexus/Executive ticket?
Apr 23, 2014, 5:10 pm
#46
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: YOW
Programs: AC SEMM; AA,DL, Hyatt and Starwood. Ex-status:SQ PPS,CSA,Hilton,AA,UA
Posts: 743
As a white male in my 40s, 240 lbs and 6'4", I don't fit anyone's biases about who should not be in the priority line, regardless of what I'm wearing -- and I'm not a natural candidate to be rude to about anything for that matter 
And I'm generally a nonconfrontational fellow, but the other day it did fell on me to educate a boor who blithely inserted himself into the priority boarding line in between me and my colleague just behind me -- a young woman in her 20s, a *G and travelling like me in J. Upon being gently challenged "I think the line ends over there", he responded "Oh, I'm priority boarding -- for people in business class and frequent travellers, you know". It seemed a verbal tongue lashing was in order so I delivered it. He left the priority line with rather a red face. He wasn't in J later on, I noticed.
And I'm generally a nonconfrontational fellow, but the other day it did fell on me to educate a boor who blithely inserted himself into the priority boarding line in between me and my colleague just behind me -- a young woman in her 20s, a *G and travelling like me in J. Upon being gently challenged "I think the line ends over there", he responded "Oh, I'm priority boarding -- for people in business class and frequent travellers, you know". It seemed a verbal tongue lashing was in order so I delivered it. He left the priority line with rather a red face. He wasn't in J later on, I noticed.
Apr 23, 2014, 6:04 pm
#47
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Flew over the Equator 55 times last 3 years
Programs: LANPASS Comodoro (Emerald), others
Posts: 2,957
Just to add an international flavour. AC in LIM. In Peru, there is a law requiring a Preferencial line (Priority line) for old people, discapacitado, pregnant, or with young kids, who load first... (yes, even before Super Duper Elites). Not sure if I should consider it a compliment when they sometimes ask me to step aside to let the Preferencial pass.
Apr 23, 2014, 7:01 pm
#48
Join Date: Sep 2005
Programs: AC MM E50 , Former SPG, now Marriott LT Plat
Posts: 6,258
Twice at ORD I have flown NH ORD-NRT, when approaching the priority check-in
counters I was asked if I am travelling in business class. Both times I answered
" No", and was pointed to the economy checkin.
I loved ignoring the direction and walking over to the First Class checkin!
counters I was asked if I am travelling in business class. Both times I answered
" No", and was pointed to the economy checkin.
I loved ignoring the direction and walking over to the First Class checkin!
Apr 23, 2014, 7:51 pm
#49
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: YVR
Programs: E50K, *Gold, WS Gold,VIA Premier, VIPorter
Posts: 463
As a university student flying using my upgrades on rapidair flights, I often am told that my baggage may not be stored in the front of the plane, or that my jacket will not be hung up (until they see my BP that is).
Another side note, in the MLL when using lounge access cards, I would ALWAYS be asked for ID, but now a month later, with my E35K and MLL worldwide card, I am NEVER asked.
Security is never a problem in YOW, although occasionally I am told priority boarding or check-in is not for me.
Another side note, in the MLL when using lounge access cards, I would ALWAYS be asked for ID, but now a month later, with my E35K and MLL worldwide card, I am NEVER asked.
Security is never a problem in YOW, although occasionally I am told priority boarding or check-in is not for me.
Apr 23, 2014, 8:15 pm
#50
Join Date: Mar 2014
Programs: AC*Tangerine
Posts: 417
When I was 16, people used to tell me that I looked like Cameron from Ferris Bueller's Day Off. Now people tell me that I look like Stephen Harper.
Apr 23, 2014, 8:23 pm
#52
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: IAH
Programs: AC SE100K, AA Platinum, SPG Platinum, National Emerald Elite
Posts: 166
I'm 29 and rarely travel in a suit. I change at the airport because I like to be comfortable. So usually jeans, a t shirt and some hipster chuck taylor hitops. Never have I been asked to move or questioned about which line I am in. I think the proportion of young SE/elites is getting higher because we haven't learned the value of staying home yet.
Rarely get challenged about status anymore - I think it's because I have a sort of blank face that says "I'm grinding my way through the airport for the nth time"
Last edited by Prewrappedbacon; Apr 23, 2014 at 8:32 pm
Apr 23, 2014, 9:16 pm
#53
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC E50K (*G) WS Gold | SPG/Fairmont Plat Hilton/Hyatt Diamond Marriott Silver | National Exec Elite
Posts: 19,284
I have never had an issue (yes i'm an engineer). I dress biz casual...in fact this thread surprised me! in my 20's...
Apr 23, 2014, 9:59 pm
#54
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2014
Programs: AC SE100k, Marriott Titanium, UA Silver
Posts: 2,648
Apr 23, 2014, 10:03 pm
#55
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2014
Programs: AC SE100k, Marriott Titanium, UA Silver
Posts: 2,648
Apr 23, 2014, 10:26 pm
#56
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2014
Programs: AC SE100k, Marriott Titanium, UA Silver
Posts: 2,648
Apr 23, 2014, 11:13 pm
#57
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, BA Gold, SQ Silver, Bonvoy Tit LTG, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond
Posts: 44,313
Actually, even being freshly shaved can take a few years off my face, which, at my age, makes a big difference (student vs. non-student).
Although the one time I went from the beach to YVR in my swimsuit and a t-shirt and sand all over me... not a single question. Not even when I told the MLL agent "I need a shower"
Apr 23, 2014, 11:57 pm
#59
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: YYJ - Victoria
Programs: E50K
Posts: 453
I might be the oldest person on this thread, and I think I am usually the oldest person in the priority line.
I can't remember the last time I was questioned; in fact, I think everyone assumes I am heading to the front of the plane, am SE, or whatever.
In reality, I have never been SE, and never will be -- I might not even make 25K this year, as my heavy travel days wind down. (In other words, I have just eight more months of status that matters at all.)
I think one reason for my success is that I tend to know what I am doing, and if I don't, I fake it well. But I suspect that my age is the most important factor.
So be patient, everyone. In just 30 years, they won't question you.
I can't remember the last time I was questioned; in fact, I think everyone assumes I am heading to the front of the plane, am SE, or whatever.
In reality, I have never been SE, and never will be -- I might not even make 25K this year, as my heavy travel days wind down. (In other words, I have just eight more months of status that matters at all.)
I think one reason for my success is that I tend to know what I am doing, and if I don't, I fake it well. But I suspect that my age is the most important factor.
So be patient, everyone. In just 30 years, they won't question you.
Apr 24, 2014, 12:09 am
#60
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Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, BA Gold, SQ Silver, Bonvoy Tit LTG, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond
Posts: 44,313
I imagine a young 20's looking guy in shorts and a t-shirt, with just a backpack, hurrying through customs (after arriving from the US) on a Thursday morning, seems a little off.
She was cool with it, even after I explained Earn Your Wings to her, but it's the only time I've ever been stopped by CBSA between the NEXUS machine and the exit.
She was cool with it, even after I explained Earn Your Wings to her, but it's the only time I've ever been stopped by CBSA between the NEXUS machine and the exit.