Interesting commentary in today's Philly Inquirer:
http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/news/local/states/pennsylvania/counties/philadelphia_county/philadelphia/13892204.htm (you may need to register)

Although the article doesn't specify, I assume this was on US.

Anyone want to fess up? :)

Interesting commentary in today's Philly Inquirer:
http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/news/local/states/pennsylvania/counties/philadelphia_county/philadelphia/13892204.htm (you may need to register)
Although the article doesn't specify, I assume this was on US.
Anyone want to fess up? :)

I'm ready to take the spit, bullets or whatever. Have said it here early and frequently; I have flown all over the world, been top platinum status with UA, AA and HP for many, many years. The ONLY FF program that I have had a negative attitude about is US' and it's only been the past 2-3 years. There is a small group of CPs that are "right arseholes" about their FF status. Have to say that I've heard the same opinion about these idiots from other folks without prompting them.

Not all, not many, but enough to make all of us HP customers shudder when we here "CP"! Recently I checked with a few of my favorite people at HP to see if they have observed the same attitudes. Across the board the answer was "not often, but the few I've had to deal with are real jerks!"

So I'd love to have all of the great US customers, especially the professional CPs go out of their way to tell these jerks to shut their mouths when they spout off. They only denigrate your status to the rest of the professional flying world. If I catch you doing it, I'll be glad to provide free drinks pre- and post-flight. You can catch me in the PHX, LAS, LAX clubs most days. Otherwise I am in the *Alliance clubs when I'm not in the US clubs.

And I'll bet there there is a very small chance that this jerk is a FlyerTalk person. There's only 1, 2 with that attitude here so the chances are quite small.

And I'll bet there there is a very small chance that this jerk is a FlyerTalk person. There's only 1, 2 with that attitude here so the chances are quite small.

I agree - most FTalkers are a pretty decent bunch and even though we love getting upgrades, realize that stress-free travel is more important!

I'm ready to take the spit, bullets or whatever. Have said it here early and frequently; I have flown all over the world, been top platinum status with UA, AA and HP for many, many years. The ONLY FF program that I have had a negative attitude about is US' and it's only been the past 2-3 years. There is a small group of CPs that are "right arseholes" about their FF status. Have to say that I've heard the same opinion about these idiots from other folks without prompting them.

Not all, not many, but enough to make all of us HP customers shudder when we here "CP"! Recently I checked with a few of my favorite people at HP to see if they have observed the same attitudes. Across the board the answer was "not often, but the few I've had to deal with are real jerks!"

So I'd love to have all of the great US customers, especially the professional CPs go out of their way to tell these jerks to shut their mouths when they spout off. They only denigrate your status to the rest of the professional flying world. If I catch you doing it, I'll be glad to provide free drinks pre- and post-flight. You can catch me in the PHX, LAS, LAX clubs most days. Otherwise I am in the *Alliance clubs when I'm not in the US clubs.

And I'll bet there there is a very small chance that this jerk is a FlyerTalk person. There's only 1, 2 with that attitude here so the chances are quite small.

If you actually read the article it says nothing about him being a CP or an elite for that matter. He claimed he flew the airline for so many years, so many miles, and even lived NEXT to Doug Parker!!!!! The first two statements are believeable but the third one is HIGHLY unlikely which makes everything he said CRAP.
By the way....I do not appreciate you attacking US CPs and sterotyping them. ...we are a nice bunch of people if you get to know us. I'm far from a typical CP as you describe. I will agree there is a couple of them that can be rude and hateful but thats with other airlines elite and even the general flying public. You can catch me at any US Airways club if you would like to have a drink and a chat!` :D

If you actually read the article it says nothing about him being a CP or an elite for that matter. He claimed he flew the airline for so many years, so many miles, and even lived NEXT to Doug Parker!!!!! The first two statements are believeable but the third one is HIGHLY unlikely which makes everything he said CRAP.
By the way....I do not appreciate you attacking US CPs and sterotyping them. ...we are a nice bunch of people if you get to know us. I'm far from a typical CP as you describe. I will agree there is a couple of them that can be rude and hateful but thats with other airlines elite and even the general flying public. You can catch me at any US Airways club if you would like to have a drink and a chat!` :D

It is funny, I just found my Chairman's Preferred card from 1998.. when I use to fly US Airways.. then I found my UA 1K cards... and now my current HP Chairman's Card... wow.. how things have come full circle. I use to fly out of Philadelphia alot.. and have faced some very "high Maintenance" CP's back then... BUT, there were many like me who can be nice.. and appreciate the extra amenities... but understand when the upgrades do not come through...

I am looking forward to seeing how this new airline "mixes together" the people.. (employees and customers)....

.....Not all, not many, but enough to make all of us HP customers shudder when we here "CP"! .....

Sorry to hear that. My experience differs. In all my years of flying, primarily through CLT, I've never encountered rude CPs! Not to say there aren't any, but they're scarce in CLT :)

The linked article neither mentions US nor CP, and we may be assuming too much here, but kudos to the GA who handled the incident well. BTW, I believe that well-behaved CPs would not, and should not, assume they're any better or more qualified than a well-trained GA in dealing with arrogant behavior by anybody - whether CP, charlatans or custodians - at the gate.

All the FFs I know realize that upgrades are just a game....win some, lose some..... and next week is another flight to play the game again.

The ONLY FF program that I have had a negative attitude about is US' and it's only been the past 2-3 years. There is a small group of CPs that are "right arseholes" about their FF status. Have to say that I've heard the same opinion about these idiots from other folks without prompting them.

Actually, it sounds like this guy could be an HP Plat or at least primarily an HP flyer. I mean how many pre-merger US CPs live in Phoenix? I don't ever remember seeing any on FT. So even though it's probably bull that he would live next door to Doug Parker, it is not unrealistic that he would live in PHX.

The linked article neither mentions US nor CP, and we may be assuming too much here

But it does mention that "I live next door to your new CEO in Phoenix" so I think we can safely assume that this was US. Either way, it is so completely ridiculous to try to use this line these days. Can you imagine the discussion on the phone with Doug Parker:

CP: Hey Doug, it's XXXXX your neighbor in Phoenix. I'm at the gate in Philly and they won't upgrade me to first. Can you call operations in Tempe and bang a few heads together until i am upgraded. And while your at it I want this woman fired immediately. They have no idea who they are messing with.

Doug: Click

;)

There is a small group of CPs that are "right arseholes" about their FF status. Have to say that I've heard the same opinion about these idiots from other folks without prompting them.




I've heard it from quite a few employees... "You're too nice to be a CP." That's just a shame that we've got such a bad rap with some employees. I've also often heard "you're too young to be CP", but that's for another thread...
:cool:

I personally would not be surprised if the referenced individual were a Flyertalker. A couple of years ago, I complained about preferred members blocking families travelling with children and elderly folks in Florida who could barely walk by crowding the gate at the boarding point. I honestly haven't noticed that behavior recently but I haven't been flying to Florida. But a few years back in Orlando, Tampa, and Ft. Myers I noticed this habitual 'crowding of the gate' and I saw shaky people in wheelchairs not able to get to the gate at preboard. I mentioned on this board that I had taken it upon myself to try to clear the way for these folks, and at least one or two people jumped down my throat and threatened to call security on me, etc....

I really haven't participated as much here since.

I am sorry to say that there are those who feel a sense of entitlement regardless of status or preferred airline. I have intervened on more than one occasion to stop possible altercations at the gate area, although mostly the offending party was a once a year flier who forgot he wasn't going to be on "Airline".

The most memorable case of Elites Behaving Badly was on a recent flight to CLT from LGA. The flight was almost completely boarded when a business type comes on and points to my seatmate, accusing her of being in his seat. He starts huffing and puffing, and when the flight attendant asks him to move to any open coach seats he goes into the "do you know who I am" routine, which as we know, doesn't help his chances of prevailing. He begins causing a scene, and when it gets to headache pitch, I politely tell him that yelling and belittling air crews will only make matters worse for him.

I then have a thought--there are two CLT flights leaving within 10 min of each other. While the flight attendant goes to get the supervisor at the gate, I ask to see the boarding pass of both parties, in case someone has read wrong. Sure enough, Mr. Attitude is on the wrong flight.

I call the FA back and explain the error. She smiles and mouths "Thank you" to me just as the gate agent appears. He looks at the boarding pass and asks the man to follow him off the plane. When he asks why he can't stay on this one, the agent says that the flight crew feels he has been disruptive and they don't want him on the flight.
So huffing and puffing he walks off continuing to make a scene. I believe justice was served as he missed his original flight as well (I saw it push back as they closed our door).

Now in fact this incident was started by a simple mistake, but there is NO I repeat NO excuse for the verbal abuse and abhorrent behavior which I see more and more often today. As a GOOD CP, which 99.9% of us happen to be, I am offended as well by the behavior of some of my fellow travelers, ESPECIALLY those who should know better.

My best to you all....

and even lived NEXT to Doug Parker!!!!! The first two statements are believeable but the third one is HIGHLY unlikely which makes everything he said CRAP.

DP lives in Paradise Valley, not Phoenix, so that's definitly crap (but we already knew that) :D

For the most part, US frequent flyers seem to be nice enough. There are a couple of CP's that I see regularly out of JAX who are real jerks though... including one older gentlemen who complains if he doesn't get to sit in 1A and usually takes two handfuls out of the snack basket. On a recent JAX-DCA flight I spotted him in the gate area and got my seat changed from 1C to row 3 so I didn't have to sit by him and fight for center armrest/table space with him and the two or three drinks he orders at once.

.... including one older gentlemen who complains if he doesn't get to sit in 1A and usually takes two handfuls out of the snack basket. On a recent JAX-DCA flight I spotted him in the gate area and got my seat changed from 1C to row 3 so I didn't have to sit by him and fight for center armrest/table space with him and the two or three drinks he orders at once.

Good choice. I still remember him from a flight in September 1994. Six drinks from JAX to BWI. Amazing that he's still around.

Interesting commentary in today's Philly Inquirer:
http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/news/local/states/pennsylvania/counties/philadelphia_county/philadelphia/13892204.htm (you may need to register)

Although the article doesn't specify, I assume this was on US.

Anyone want to fess up? :)


Interesting article. A few months ago, something similar happened to a member of the NW forum. He was Gold Elite and lost his seat to a Plat who had arrived very, very late at the airport and demanded an upgrade. I suppose in that case the gate agents thought they could get in trouble if the passenger complained to consumer affairs and the department later discovered that indeed a Gold had gotten upgraded while the Plat was left in Coach. I witnessed one of these lovely fights at DFW once-- when an Exec Plat threatened to get the gate agent fired if he did not get upgraded on our flight which was operated by a 777 (hence only 16 F seats), but at the end, it was AA, and he was left in Coach.

I'm ready to take the spit, bullets or whatever. Have said it here early and frequently; I have flown all over the world, been top platinum status with UA, AA and HP for many, many years. The ONLY FF program that I have had a negative attitude about is US' and it's only been the past 2-3 years. There is a small group of CPs that are "right arseholes" about their FF status. Have to say that I've heard the same opinion about these idiots from other folks without prompting them.

Not all, not many, but enough to make all of us HP customers shudder when we here "CP"! Recently I checked with a few of my favorite people at HP to see if they have observed the same attitudes. Across the board the answer was "not often, but the few I've had to deal with are real jerks!"

So I'd love to have all of the great US customers, especially the professional CPs go out of their way to tell these jerks to shut their mouths when they spout off. They only denigrate your status to the rest of the professional flying world. If I catch you doing it, I'll be glad to provide free drinks pre- and post-flight. You can catch me in the PHX, LAS, LAX clubs most days. Otherwise I am in the *Alliance clubs when I'm not in the US clubs.

And I'll bet there there is a very small chance that this jerk is a FlyerTalk person. There's only 1, 2 with that attitude here so the chances are quite small.

First and foremost, very flew HP Elites will make CP, hence all the whining they have been doing since the introduction of the 4-tier system. Secondly, in order to convey an idea effectively, one does not have to use profanity constantly, i.e., the "professional flying world" certainly does not employ the a and b words, and by that I do not mean Airbus or Boeing. Thanks for letting us know where we cannot catch you most days :).

Actually, it sounds like this guy could be an HP Plat or at least primarily an HP flyer. I mean how many pre-merger US CPs live in Phoenix? I don't ever remember seeing any on FT. So even though it's probably bull that he would live next door to Doug Parker, it is not unrealistic that he would live in PHX.

This guy fits the HP Platinum profile, not CP.

This guy fits the HP Platinum profile, not CP.

Thank you sass, I could not agree more. :)

Thank you sass, I could not agree more. :)

Actualy, jerks come in all places and with every airline. I'm sure AA and UAL have their portion of jerks in their elite ranks. I just take issue with KevAZ's congenital hatred of all things east of the Mississippi.

Amen to that

Actualy, jerks come in all places and with every airline. I'm sure AA and UAL have their portion of jerks in their elite ranks. I just take issue with KevAZ's congenital hatred of all things east of the Mississippi.

But a few years back in Orlando, Tampa, and Ft. Myers I noticed this habitual 'crowding of the gate' and I saw shaky people in wheelchairs not able to get to the gate at preboard. I mentioned on this board that I had taken it upon myself to try to clear the way for these folks, and at least one or two people jumped down my throat and threatened to call security on me, etc....

I really haven't participated as much here since.

As they say, no good deed goes unpunished. For what it's worth, I happen to think that you were doing a very nice thing.

As for someone complaining about being stuck in Y, if they flew enough to be CP then they would know that the only way to pretty much (there's always equipment swaps) guarantee an F seat is to pay for it. If the passenger cited in the OP's link wasn't CP (if this was in fact on US), then they should hope that the GA actually didn't know how many miles they flew each year.

The most awful and embarassingly loud elite hissy fit I ever saw was in the UK - and it was an American "man of the cloth". Go figure!

There is no doubt in my mind that it was one of our always complaining elitists with a over the top sense of entitlement who spend hours upons here complaining about every single issue.

To the rude flyer (and you know who you are!) if you want to sit in first, pay the fare. Otherwise sit down.

First and foremost, very flew HP Elites will make CP, hence all the whining they have been doing since the introduction of the 4-tier system. :).

Just out of curiosity, how do you know this?

My favorite part of the article:

'Well,' said the young lady at the counter, leaning forward but obviously unimpressed, 'honey, I suggest you call him fast, then. Perhaps he can find you a seat up front on this plane, but I am completely full.'

^ ^

I was once asked an AA ticket agent in ORD if she knew who I was. I was trying to get home for Thanksgivng and AA claimed my connecting flight was late due to weather in ORD, which simply was not true. So when she stood by that excuse and explained the there were NO seats available for two days and no hotel voucher for the night would be given, I popped the question.

She turned white when I told her I was Crandall's son in law. A suite at the Westin and a first class seat to RDU was magically available. I wonder if she ever found out the truth. :D

Good choice. I still remember him from a flight in September 1994. Six drinks from JAX to BWI. Amazing that he's still around.


What ONLY SIX!! What a Lightweight! :D

If Sweet Thing is picking me up I can easily do six BEFORE Lunch!!!!!

PHL-DFW coming up, The Tanqueray Kid rides again!! I'll teach these guys NOT to offer a meal, I'll drink them into BK III :D :p

There is no doubt in my mind that it was one of our always complaining elitists with a over the top sense of entitlement who spend hours upons here complaining about every single issue.

To the rude flyer (and you know who you are!) if you want to sit in first, pay the fare. Otherwise sit down.

In 6 Years I've only ever used the "Im a CP" one time and it was a very mellow use but it give insight into how status if used correctly can move heaven and earth. FIRST what I was trying to do was dead wrong and I should have NEVER gotten on the plane, but the goodwill US gained that day has kept me loyal through all of the bull excrement that has transpired since.

Arrived at MSY 20 minutes before departure of the B1900 to LIT and we are on the later flight. This one has exactly 2 open seats. I ask if we can get on the flight and she says "Noooooo" I asked ever so gently "Does it help if I tell you I'm a CP?" Well all of the sudden BP's are printed and a frantic call to the gate saying "I've got a Chairman's, Hold the flight they're on the way" Off we went. My Colleague who was a DL plat turned and said, "WOW Delta would NEVER do that for me"

There is no excuse to throw your weight around when a little humility can take you a long way. I've witnessed several incidents of the ugly CP, but honestly the majority of the "Elite Obnoxiousness" I've witnessed is from Silvers and Golds.

Bottom Line Philly2D is correct, it's a perk, relax and get over yourself otherwise let the moths out and buy the big seat.

I personally would not be surprised if the referenced individual were a Flyertalker. A couple of years ago, I complained about preferred members blocking families travelling with children and elderly folks in Florida who could barely walk by crowding the gate at the boarding point. I honestly haven't noticed that behavior recently but I haven't been flying to Florida. But a few years back in Orlando, Tampa, and Ft. Myers I noticed this habitual 'crowding of the gate' and I saw shaky people in wheelchairs not able to get to the gate at preboard. I mentioned on this board that I had taken it upon myself to try to clear the way for these folks, and at least one or two people jumped down my throat and threatened to call security on me, etc....

I really haven't participated as much here since.

Glad to see this drives somebody else crazy...I'm with you. Stand back and board by zone. Obviously too simple a process. :(

I have to say in all my years at the airport and with US, there is nothing worse than a Silver. A brand new silver has this sense of entitlement, now I have this card, I can have everything!!! Completely ignoring the 2 tiers ahead of them. Golds can be hit or miss, but Chairman's are usually the greatest. Even grumpy Chairman's can roll with the punches because chances are, this isn't the first time something has happened.

They can be persnickity, esp. if they don't get the seat they always sit in. One gentleman has to sit in a specific seat on the CRJ, his travel agent never assigns it and every week I had to hear the same rant while assigning him the golden seat. That's about it, sometimes the spouses of the Chairman's feel because their husband or wife flies often, they too are entitled to the perks. I'll take all Chairman's all the time, they know the system and how to get things. Usually.

No offense to the nice Silver's, however I've worked for 2 airlines and my coworkers and I at both airlines all agreed about the Silver's.

Bravo to the gate agent, I've actually offered to put someone on a later flight after they told me they couldn't fly in coach. The thought of getting there 4 hours later apparently made coach appealing.

After reading the seatguru thread, I am not the least bit surprised at this story.

I've heard it from quite a few employees... "You're too nice to be a CP." That's just a shame that we've got such a bad rap with some employees. I've also often heard "you're too young to be CP", but that's for another thread...
:cool:


Heh. I've had a few HP agents say the same to me.

HP: "You're too kind to be one of the CPs."

Me: "You're way to knowledgeable about upgrade policies to be working the gate for HP."

HP: "Touche, Mr. Dirkman."

I saw a real doozy at CMH last Thursday night. Flights for DCA, CLT and somewhere else all leave out of essentially the same gate area. A couple folks were headed to CLT together (in suit sand with briefcases). Well, 2 of the companions got upgraded as golds and one guy that was CP started throwing a minor fit, walking around, letting everyone within earshot hear his status. He even handed his boarding pass to his coworkers and had them approach the GA to get him upgraded. They were all obviously more inportant that anyone else there in the gate area! And to top it off, he and his coworkers stood directly in front of the gate door. . until the GA came and made them all move.
He was one perturbed little man. I found it highly amusing. I don't think he got upgraded after all, but i can't say for sure as I was on a different flight.

Part of me secretly wished I was on that flight sitting in front so I could watch him walk by to the back (insert evil laugh).

This from the article implies our good guy would have accepted the downgrade without objection. I guess resisting and losing would only serve to further enlarge the arse's ego, but it sure seems that the upgraded pax, privy to all the facts as he was, could object to accommodating a bully. Then again, maybe silence is better and the agent might appreciate it with something valuable?

I listened intently, as I had gotten the last first-class seat. If he intimidated this poor soul enough, he'd surely get my seat. I would be banished back to my mid-plane window seat, fervently praying for my seatmates not to be the standard big, bulky businessmen.

Wow... I'm certainly not like that...

I saw a real doozy at CMH last Thursday night. Flights for DCA, CLT and somewhere else all leave out of essentially the same gate area. A couple folks were headed to CLT together (in suit sand with briefcases). Well, 2 of the companions got upgraded as golds and one guy that was CP started throwing a minor fit, walking around, letting everyone within earshot hear his status. He even handed his boarding pass to his coworkers and had them approach the GA to get him upgraded. They were all obviously more inportant that anyone else there in the gate area! And to top it off, he and his coworkers stood directly in front of the gate door. . until the GA came and made them all move.
He was one perturbed little man. I found it highly amusing. I don't think he got upgraded after all, but i can't say for sure as I was on a different flight.

Part of me secretly wished I was on that flight sitting in front so I could watch him walk by to the back (insert evil laugh).

LOL! I was on that flight too Liveon777. I was hiding my laughter so hard I was beat red and probably sweating. I was standing near the counter out in the main corridor, black coat, black wool hat and the big ole backpack with Canon logos on it. The best part about it is, I think I was the last Gold to upgrade... I just bought my ticket about 36 hours prior. :D ^

LOL! I was on that flight too Liveon777. I was hiding my laughter so hard I was beat red and probably sweating. I was standing near the counter out in the main corridor, black coat, black wool hat and the big ole backpack with Canon logos on it. The best part about it is, I think I was the last Gold to upgrade... I just bought my ticket about 36 hours prior. :D ^


Haha! Finally someone else got to witness one of these little travel episodes.
Congrats on the upgrade at such short notice!

It was one of the more entertaining little tirades I've witnessed in quite a while. I am actually on the 7:10 tonight from CMH-CLT in first. Maybe I'll have the pleasure of seeing this fine gentleman throw a fit again.

I saw a real doozy at CMH last Thursday night. Flights for DCA, CLT and somewhere else all leave out of essentially the same gate area. A couple folks were headed to CLT together (in suit sand with briefcases).

I just hate that suit sand - gets in all the wrong places and makes me itch.

:p :D :D

And to top it off, he and his coworkers stood directly in front of the gate door. . until the GA came and made them all move.

I have to say that this is one of the most annoying things that F/elite flyers do. Even if the the flight isn't boarding for 20 minutes, there's always a group of them (always in suits) crowded directly in front of the gate. They stare DIRECTLY at the GA podium (even if nobody is standing there) with sour faces in utter fear that if they were to relax and look around they may catch the eye of a member of the unwashed masses. Heaven forbid they should actually sit in the gate area near (or even next to!) the plebians and use the ample time given by the GA for F boarding to actually walk to the door instead of just down the jetway. :rolleyes:

I also second the motion that newly minted silvers are the most annoying. When I was a silver I was very well behaved, and realizing I was last in line I graciously took what I could get.

On an HP flight last week, EWR-PHX, the plane was completely full and I was told (as a Gold) that there was zero chance of an upgrade. There was this man who was a Silver (prominently displaying his BP) who kept asking the GA about his upgrade status. The GA very patiently informed him that F had checked in full and there were other elites, but if for some reason a seat opened up for him that they would go to him in Y prior to closing the door and escort him to the front. He insisted on waiting at the gate for his upgrade.

Sure enough, I was sitting in Y, and 20 minutes later he boards and starts walking to the back of the plane. Of course, there was no overhead space. He threw a fit to the FA about how he's Elite and should be up front and can't believe there's no more overhead for him.

Meanwhile, I'm sitting in the exit row with a bunch of other golds and plats all rolling our eyes.

I have to say that this is one of the most annoying things that F/elite flyers do. Even if the the flight isn't boarding for 20 minutes, there's always a group of them (always in suits) crowded directly in front of the gate. They stare DIRECTLY at the GA podium (even if nobody is standing there) with sour faces in utter fear that if they were to relax and look around they may catch the eye of a member of the unwashed masses. Heaven forbid they should actually sit in the gate area near (or even next to!) the plebians and use the ample time given by the GA for F boarding to actually walk to the door instead of just down the jetway. :rolleyes:
I agree and disagree with your thoughts on this. Yes there is always a line waiting for that preboard but once a person starts it, if you aren't in it, you'll find yourself in the back of the line or fighting through others to try to get to the gate to board with those other F pax. Then you get to your seat and find you are putting your carry-on over the first rows of coach (or farther) due to everyone else getting there and filling up the bins with both their carryons so you get to play salmon when you arrive. My motto is, "Never start the line, but if it's started, join it." When I flew out of MSP alot last year there was one guy who always started the line. He was usually there about 20 minutes before boarding (sometimes more) and walked up and started the line. Other F pax and elites fell right in behind him.
However, If I'm up front in the bulkhead row, I actually will "start" the line so I can get both my bags up, but I try to avoid that. You are always going to have the "Line" no matter what and besides who wants to sit down for the hour or so before the flight only to sit down again for a few more hours... :)

Lance

there's always a group of them (always in suits) crowded directly in front of the gate.
I also second the motion that newly minted silvers are the most annoying.

Egad! I'm a silver and almost always fly in a business suit! I'm so ashamed... ;)

I have to say that this is one of the most annoying things that F/elite flyers do. Even if the the flight isn't boarding for 20 minutes, there's always a group of them (always in suits) crowded directly in front of the gate. They stare DIRECTLY at the GA podium (even if nobody is standing there) with sour faces in utter fear that if they were to relax and look around they may catch the eye of a member of the unwashed masses. Heaven forbid they should actually sit in the gate area near (or even next to!) the plebians and use the ample time given by the GA for F boarding to actually walk to the door instead of just down the jetway. :rolleyes:



Admittedly, I fit that description with the exception that I do not block access to the jetway. I do always let families and older people who need assistance board ahead of me. I'm sorry that it annoys you that some of us enjoy some of the small privileges that are left as an elite.

Hey, at least I'm not on my cell phone the whole time! :D

I agree and disagree with your thoughts on this. Yes there is always a line waiting for that preboard but once a person starts it, if you aren't in it, you'll find yourself in the back of the line or fighting through others to try to get to the gate to board with those other F pax. Then you get to your seat and find you are putting your carry-on over the first rows of coach (or farther) due to everyone else getting there and filling up the bins with both their carryons so you get to play salmon when you arrive. My motto is, "Never start the line, but if it's started, join it." When I flew out of MSP alot last year there was one guy who always started the line. He was usually there about 20 minutes before boarding (sometimes more) and walked up and started the line. Other F pax and elites fell right in behind him.
However, If I'm up front in the bulkhead row, I actually will "start" the line so I can get both my bags up, but I try to avoid that. You are always going to have the "Line" no matter what and besides who wants to sit down for the hour or so before the flight only to sit down again for a few more hours... :)

Lance


Well stated! ^

I agree and disagree with your thoughts on this. Yes there is always a line waiting for that preboard but once a person starts it, if you aren't in it, you'll find yourself in the back of the line or fighting through others to try to get to the gate to board with those other F pax. Then you get to your seat and find you are putting your carry-on over the first rows of coach (or farther) due to everyone else getting there and filling up the bins with both their carryons so you get to play salmon when you arrive. My motto is, "Never start the line, but if it's started, join it." When I flew out of MSP alot last year there was one guy who always started the line. He was usually there about 20 minutes before boarding (sometimes more) and walked up and started the line. Other F pax and elites fell right in behind him.
However, If I'm up front in the bulkhead row, I actually will "start" the line so I can get both my bags up, but I try to avoid that. You are always going to have the "Line" no matter what and besides who wants to sit down for the hour or so before the flight only to sit down again for a few more hours... :)

Lance

Agreed - I wind up spending a lot of time at the bulkhead (gotta love 1F) and if you don't beat at least one or two of the row 2 and 3 people you're hosed for overhead space. If I'm in one of the other rows in F (or in Y, boo hoo hoo) then I'll wait. But if I'm row 1, I do feel a legitimate need to stake a claim.

After reading the seatguru thread, I am not the least bit surprised at this story.

LOL

. . . By the way....I do not appreciate you attacking US CPs and sterotyping them. ...we are a nice bunch of people if you get to know us. I'm far from a typical CP as you describe . . .

I think that you misinterpret the poster's message. They don't suggest that a typical CP is a jerk, they say:

. . .There is a small group of CPs that are "right arseholes" about their FF status . . . Not all, not many, but enough to make all of us HP customers shudder when we hear "CP"! . . .

I'm a CP & I concur that some CPs are jerks. It's a little disquieting to think that a prima donna can sour the perceptions others hold about CPs in general.

Most elites are nice folks. But there is indeed a veneer of flyers who are simply not nice people. The fact that they are elites makes it worse. As others note, when one travels enough to make US1 or US2, it's more about how to travel relaxed and comfortable than it is about bragging about status and demanding that others kow tow to you.

Humility and respect can indeed benefit all of us.

Barry

. . . By the way....I do not appreciate you attacking US CPs and sterotyping them. ...we are a nice bunch of people if you get to know us. I'm far from a typical CP as you describe . . .

I think that you misinterpret the poster's message. They don't suggest that a typical CP is a jerk, they say:

. . .There is a small group of CPs that are "right arseholes" about their FF status . . . Not all, not many, but enough to make all of us HP customers shudder when we hear "CP"! . . .

I'm a CP & I concur that some CPs are jerks. It's a little disquieting to think that a prima donna can sour the perceptions others hold about CPs in general.

Most elites are nice folks. But there is indeed a veneer of flyers who are simply not nice people. The fact that they are elites makes it worse. As others note, when one travels enough to make US1 or US2, it's more about how to travel relaxed and comfortable than it is about bragging about status and demanding that others kow tow to you.

Humility and respect can indeed benefit all of us.

Barry


Last night on the 7:15 from FLL to PHL a guy was sitting in the exit row with a big painting propped on the floor. The FA told him to put it overhead as he was in an exit row and the guy basically flipped out for the next 2.5 hours, blabbering "I'm a CP . . . I pay your salary . . . . What is your name . . . I'm writing a letter about you.;" The guy was a big jerk. But then another guy chimed in and said something like: Well I'm also a CP and I will also be writing a letter in defense of the FA. So, one considerate CP helped defend the FA from a hostile CP.

. . . the guy basically flipped out for the next 2.5 hours, blabbering "I'm a CP . . . I pay your salary . . . . What is your name . . . I'm writing a letter about you. . .

This thread is very informative in that it touches on perceptions that others may derive from someone's behavior, in this case elites behaving badly as they brandish threats and complaints while claiming to be the lifeblood of the airline. This sort of behavior is becoming all too typical in our "me first" society. But it's reassuring to know that these types of blowfish still represent a minority.

Years ago, before my wife and I start flying more frequently, we too would look disdainfully at those folks who jammed the boarding queues and projected snotty attitudes, especially when we saw them sitting up front. We used to think that most of the people who sat up front were high flying businessmen or wealthy individuals of leisure and whim. Little did we know the real mechanics of the FF game and how anyone who plans their travel carefully can acquire some level of elite status and enjoy some of those same perks.

Timeshare ownership and a penchant for travel has helped us pile up the miles and now, we too now sit up front and enjoy the perks of elite status. But we are humble and grateful for the opportunity. Along the way, we've met some really interesting people -- certainly a lot of businessmen, but also ordinary travelers doing their thing. And we come to better know and understand the US FAs and the great job that most of them do.

Politieness and humility can get you a long way.

BUT . . . keep in mind that there is a certain beauty in the blowfish of the world. They will never be satisfied, and they are oh so easy to upset and irritate -- there's a certain pleasure in watching some putz fume over something insignificant. ;)

As to the CP who threatens to write a letter to CA. I hope that he did write that letter as US CA tracks all customer responses, good and bad. It means that over time, his rants and raves render him increasingly insignificant. And that in a nutshell is what folks like him really are.

Sit back and enjoy the flight.

Barry

As to the CP who threatens to write a letter to CA. I hope that he did write that letter as US CA tracks all customer responses, good and bad. It means that over time, his rants and raves render him increasingly insignificant. And that in a nutshell is what folks like him really are.

Barry


That is really a great point. Under the old management, CA would keep track of the darts and laurels we each sent. Some of the customers are legendary, both good and bad. Members of FT (I have been told) resided at the top of both of the lists.

Wonder if these lists will migrate their way west.

:rolleyes: :rolleyes: Here is a link to another thread. Anyone have any opinions on the "SP" member's issue that was raised in the start of the thread?


http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=529224