Emirates Skywards - What's the most annoying EK passenger you have seen?

This thread is shamelessly hijacked from the BAEC forum but I was curious to see - or perhaps confirm - that patterns of annoying behaviour are consistent across different carriers.

I'm in no position to dictate rules but I would suggest:

No posts about crew

Nothing abusive or racist

No attacks on each other!

Go for it :)

Not annoying per se, but on EK953 in 2009 while in F (we were in row 1 so heard all inadvertently) 2 passengers from J insisted on getting upgraded by cash to F. We were taxiing on the way to the runway. I see the flight attendant running back and forth relaying the messages between the flight purser and the 2 passengers seated in J.

The flight purser shouts it's USD1000, the attendant goes to the J section then brings back the thou in cash. The purser shouts, it's USD1000 PER passenger and that they will not get F catering. The attendant rushes again to the back (at this point we thought that was it) and surprisingly brings with her the cash.
We had reached a holding point in taxiing. So the purser get off her seat and goes back to J with the receipt and tell them that they can not move forward until after the seatbelt sign had switched off (10k feet)- heard her tell off the flight attendant for not telling them this. Once we're in the air, seatbelt signs off, she goes back to J and escorts the 2 male passengers to their precious 01A/B seats.

During the meal service (which they didn't get, they also passed on their J meals) they kept on drinking and being served liquor. They also used their mobiles extensively (this was an onAir flight). Then about 1.5 hours from arrival, 2 of their mates decided to join them up in the aisle to chat loudly about nonsense (all of them were tipsy).

This scene made the chap in 02B extremely agitated (he was dressed like a pop star of the region: white suit with tie, black sunnies, styled hair etc). He yelled profusely at the flight purser for allowing such a thing to happen. She was very apologetic and asked the 2 J guys who were blocking the aisle to return to their seats.

Their mates didn't seem impressed with the telling off, so argued -loudly with the flight purser that they paid a cool thou per head to sit in F with no food and were entitled to bring up front whoever they want to talk to. The flight purser apologises too to them then 5 minutes later (we're still about an hour from landing) the 2 J guys are invited back in, albeit with a less obstructive stance, this time standing in the tiny space between the extended legrests of their mates and the wall (they looked awkward).

The flamboyant chap in 02B becomes furious and for the remainder of the flight cusses and disses, calls the purser and tells her off and that EK shouldn't allow this, this is F class, not F and J, and that the F passengers are the ones who should go to the back for their conversation. It was pretty loud as if he purposely wanted the group up front to hear every word of it.

Upon disembarking in BEY, still waiting for the jet bridge, the purser apologises again to this self-made important man and promises him that she'll get someone from EK to call him.

The most annoying passengers were in no doubt
- the 2 passengers who, despite the plane moving and the little value in upgrading, insisted on getting upgraded then went on with their party as if they just bought off the whole F class.
- Mr. 02B with his swearing and yelling, assumed that his comfort was above and beyond every lamen around him.

But despite the annoying nature of the flight, I found it quite amusing- did not use the in flight entertainment on that one.

What annoys me is the passengers who stand up and start trying to get bags down etc when the plane hasn't even left the active runway (or taxi-way). One day someone is going to get seriously injured. I get annoyed that the crew dont shout loudly at the person to sit down until we have come to a complete stop (like they do if you are on an Australian or US carrier).

I mean, do they think they are going to get off any quicker?

I also don't get why people can't seem to clean up after themselves in an aircraft bathroom. It's not that hard.

I've posted it before, but the obnoxious idiots flying out of LGW on a stag do in the Maldives (fortunately I was heading elsewhere from Dubai).

Got drunk, started passing champers to their 'less fortunate' friends in Y, and had a food fight (Japanese Businessman got hit by a canape).

I'd been op-up'd, so in no position to complain (height, not surname btw!), but was taken aback by the timidity of the staff in dealing with them. But most importantly still hold a certain disdain for a certain type of British Banker. Maldives stag-do my @r53.

I also don't get why people can't seem to clean up after themselves in an aircraft bathroom. It's not that hard.
FULL ACK!

What really get's me going is the pax that leave their reading lights on pointed at other passengers whilst they're sleeping ( trying )...!

What annoys me is the passengers who stand up and start trying to get bags down etc when the plane hasn't even left the active runway (or taxi-way). One day someone is going to get seriously injured. I get annoyed that the crew dont shout loudly at the person to sit down until we have come to a complete stop (like they do if you are on an Australian or US carrier).
Agreed. Part of the problem is that the cockpit crew on all EK flights asks the cabin crew to disarm the doors even before the plane has reached the gate. In the markets that EK serves, this is taken as a signal to get up and get the bags out.

What annoys me is the passengers who stand up and start trying to get bags down etc when the plane hasn't even left the active runway (or taxi-way). One day someone is going to get seriously injured. I get annoyed that the crew dont shout loudly at the person to sit down until we have come to a complete stop (like they do if you are on an Australian or US carrier).

I mean, do they think they are going to get off any quicker?

I also don't get why people can't seem to clean up after themselves in an aircraft bathroom. It's not that hard.

This is kinda OT but I was on a recent LHR-JFK flight on AA and one of the overhead bins popped open on landing. The head FA made an announcement saying "can someone please close that overhead bin." I got up, shut it and the same FA said "SIR! SIT DOWN NOW!" over the PA :rolleyes: I was thoroughly embarrassed.

We were still on the active runway and I was scared that a bag would actually fall and knock someone out, so I can understand why it is unsafe to have people opening the bins before arrival.

What annoys me is the passengers who stand up and start trying to get bags down etc when the plane hasn't even left the active runway (or taxi-way). One day someone is going to get seriously injured. I get annoyed that the crew dont shout loudly at the person to sit down until we have come to a complete stop (like they do if you are on an Australian or US carrier).

I mean, do they think they are going to get off any quicker?

I also don't get why people can't seem to clean up after themselves in an aircraft bathroom. It's not that hard.

Not on my recent QF flights. People get up before we are at the gate to take their bags out.

Friends of mine who are cabin crew for an Australian Airline - they hit the back of the wall with the palm of their hands - where there jump seats are - when this happens - so the Captain hits the brakes and the Pax all take a tumble - followed by an announcement - all pax are to remain seated until the seat belt sign is turned off

I think its funny - but they dumbo pax will never get the message

Friends of mine who are cabin crew for an Australian Airline - they hit the back of the wall with the palm of their hands - where there jump seats are - when this happens - so the Captain hits the brakes and the Pax all take a tumble - followed by an announcement - all pax are to remain seated until the seat belt sign is turned off

I think its funny - but they dumbo pax will never get the message

Saw this happen on TK.

so the Captain hits the brakes and the Pax all take a tumble...

I think its funny - but they dumbo pax will never get the message

Not dangerous or illegal then?

Note that I am an ex-senior manager with the Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and if it came to my attention that pilots were routinely endangering the lives of passengers (as you claim), I would have no hesitation in recommending that the airline have its Air Operators Certificate withdrawn (as was the case with Tiger).

Please let me have the details and I'll follow them up with CASA...

Interesting to see the direction this is taking! Personal gripes:

1. Pax who use their phones while on active runway (this nearly turned into a fistfight on one EK flight when I asked a pap in J to turn off his phone because the signals can affect electronics on board and his actions were endangering the safety of others, i.e. me - boy, did he get aggressive!).

2. Pax who demonstrate their lack of culture and upbringing by treating CC like indentured servants.

3. Pax (male) who attach a sprinkler system to a part of their anatomy and spray the floor in lavatories.

4. Pax (any gender) who leave lavatories in a mess, e.g.. damp floor, unflushed lavatory, sink full of bubbles and toothpaste etc.

5. Pax from certain countries who big it up in F while leaving Filipina nannies in J with their obnoxious offspring.

6. Pax who move up a class to stand in the aisle and natter to their more fortunate friends/colleagues while blocking room for cabin service and causing noise pollution.

7. Upgraded pax who spend the flight trying to convince CC to also upgrade friends/colleagues/hot chicks they have met at the airport.

8. Pax who are lunging for their bags from overhead lockers when the speed brakes are still deployed.

9. Pax who seem unable to follow basic standards of personal hygiene - usually the same ones who have shoes and socks off with feet pressed on the back of the seat in front.

Gosh, that was a rant. Perhaps it's just symptomatic of travelling a lot but the more I fly the more I am convinced that there is a set of unwritten rules for travelling which is a combination of keeping yourself comfortable while exercising some respect for those around you. Sadly, some who travel frequently, as well as the clueless occasional flyers, are oblivious to this.

Wow - flying EK sounds like being trapped in a horrible party with all the worst puffed up self-important stereotypes you can fit on a plane, lol! :eek:

Was flying J from KWI to DXB and had a passenger do the following:

1) In KWI you get baggage screened before checking them in so a long line was there at the time. This north-african national female (late 20's or early 30's) skipped the whole queue, claiming she was in a hurry, to everyone who complained, cause she will miss her flight. Turns out she was on the same flight as me with plenty of time to go.

2) Ahead of me in the J line, she kept complaining to every ground staff member about why they are taking so long, rudely, I may add and kept mentioning that she was a manager at a company here. (Who cares who you are?)

3) When she saw some indian nationals checking-in in the business queue she immediately yelled at the filipino handlers (note she only targets far eastern nationals and not the arab staff) saying why are economy pax checking in here and delaying her. The staff replied they are silver/gold members entitled to do so or flying J as well. She mentioned something along the lines of "well these people shouldn't"

4) On board she kept complaining about how she was in a middle seat, crew said can't do anything full flight, next time pre-select your seat online.

5) She complained all through the flight, and was with me on the return leg as well surprisingly!

Needless to say that tw@t got what she deserved as she got berated by the customs and passport control in KWI on the return for some reason and got pulled aside, I couldn't help but smile!

She mentioned something along the lines of "well these people shouldn't"

Whoa! If it was me, I wouldnt let her board.

1. Similar story on the AMD - DXB flight a couple of weeks back. As is normal with these flights, Y is full, with J (and F if available) almost empty, so you see a lot of upgrades.

I was in the F cabin (the only passenger), and I came across a paid J-class ticket holder trying to self-upgrade. He complained that the cabin was full of Y/J upgrades so by extension, he has the "right to upgrade". A very rude and unpleasant man who re-defined the word arrogant.

Anyways he marched up and dumped his bags next to me. However, before he could sit down, the stern, headmistress-type Arab purser loudly admonished him ("If you want to sit here sir, then buy the right ticket") and sent him back to the J-cabin. Her tone was a little unecessary but entirely justified.

2. I was travelling DXB-BOM in F. My seat was 2A. The man in 1A wanted to switch seats as he complained about the noise in the galley (773ER). Listen to this.. as I entered the cabin to take my seat, he put his things on my seat and "told" me to take 1A. I don't take too kindly to being "told" to do things from people I haven't met before, so I refused. He then says "just move there, its the same seat". Before I lost patience, the purser came and asked if I would be willing to switch to 1A. I refused, so the purser informed the man to move back to 1A. He muttered something under his breath and moved back. I got the evil eyes for the remainder of the flight whenever we made eye contact, but oh my did the sun shine brightly on me when I got waved through customs but he had to wait in line to scan his bags. There must be an Aesop fable around this!

Ironically, if he had bothered to use the words "please" or "thank you" - I would have gladly switched.

There are countless things that people do which are highly annoying, but I do my best to ignore most of it.

What flying has taught me is that there are way too many obnoxious, rude, self-centered people in this world. And, number one, typically flying in F or J, I have found that having money certainly doesn't mean a person has class.

One of my biggest pet-peeves:

http://www.watchstand.com/FT/EKYuck.jpg

My biggest peeve when traveling in Y is with people who believe that they own both the arm rests (and 4 inches beyond) and keep elbowing me every 5 minutes or so. I once had a passenger who decided that he is going to elbow me for the duration of the flight until I actually conceded him his 'elbow space' - that one was an extremely irritating one...

Recently I've been going to DAC a lot. My goodness, there are some real horrors in J on that route, a shockingly high proportion of DYKWIAs and VVVIPs and VVVVIPs.

My favourite was an extremely grumpy surgeon, stranded in the 'middle' J seat whose method of asserting his status seems to involve refusing to prepare at all for even the simplest type of interaction with the crew. For instance, crew comes to ask him his drink choice. He puts down his paper, slowly, and asks "what do you have?". She shows him the drinks menu, he takes an age, peruses. "Iced water". Ditto the meal choice. No preparation, always looking up in an irritated fashion, "what do you have?" etc. etc. She shows him the menu. He makes her read it out. Unbelievable. Also made the crew stick his bags in the overhead locker!

On final approach, naturally, he was the last to put his seat upright, and get ready.

After repeated requests to fasten his seat belt, all of them ignored with a wave of the hand, in some strange DYKWIA type protest he actually landed without bothering to fasten his seat belt. I guess that showed them who's boss!! :confused:

The worst, of the worst are the ones who pass air siliently, it lingers for minutes, and you can't figure out who's doing it so you can ask them to do it in the toilet. :confused:

Flying from DXB-MEL and had a late teens early twenties woman sitting in front of me in Y, as we pushed back she was talking on her mobile phone, as we taxied she was still talking, as we were rolling down the runway she was texting someone. Then into the flight she started to flirt with one of the male FA's who kept bringing her chocolates from F and letting her use the J toilets. Eventually the male purser told her she was no longer allowed past the J curtain to which she then started calling him names.
Guess Karma came around a little when she fell asleep her tanktop fell down a little exposing her quite a bit, the purser came past saw it and promptly woke her up and loudly said please madam put that away people dont want to see that.
The embarrassed look on her face was priceless.

Then on a very foggy approach into MEL from 3000 feet and below on comes the mobile phone again and she promptly starts texting people. I asked her to turn it off and she told me to mind my own busines, so i told her if she didnt put it away i would tell customs she has suspect items on her. The phone went away right away lol.

2. Pax who demonstrate their lack of culture and upbringing by treating CC like indentured servants.

This. This attitude disgusts me.

People who don't bother to either bathe and/or wear deodorant before a flight.

Friends of mine who are cabin crew for an Australian Airline - they hit the back of the wall with the palm of their hands - where there jump seats are - when this happens - so the Captain hits the brakes and the Pax all take a tumble - followed by an announcement - all pax are to remain seated until the seat belt sign is turned off

I think its funny - but they dumbo pax will never get the message

^^^
I would love to see this.

Here goes . . .

A recent KHI-DXB leg the flight got delayed due to a medical emergency. Many of the pax were connecting to afternoon flights to Europe and with connection times as little as 75 minutes, many (including me, traveling Y) though they'd miss their connection. Since the flight was half full, after take off I decided to take the seat as far ahead in the cabin as possible so I could get out off the plane as soon as possible and make a run for my connecting flight. The only aisle seat available was next to a lady so I politely asked if it was free, she just said 'I think so'. I think she wanted to say 'Yes but I dont want you to sit here'. Anyway shameless as I am I decided to ignore her comment and sat down.

Upon disembarking I learnt I had missed my connection and so I had to make my way to Transfers to get another boarding pass for a later flight. Guess who managed to get there before me ? Yes the same lady. She had also missed her connection :D and kept complaining to the transfer desk agent why EK couldn't hold the flight for just 15 minutes so she could catch her flight. Then went into a diatribe as to why it was extremely important that she get to her destination that day. Needless to say she was holding me and the enter queue when we just wanted to get our new BPs

Here goes . . .

A recent KHI-DXB leg the flight got delayed due to a medical emergency. Many of the pax were connecting to afternoon flights to Europe and with connection times as little as 75 minutes, many (including me, traveling Y) though they'd miss their connection. Since the flight was half full, after take off I decided to take the seat as far ahead in the cabin as possible so I could get out off the plane as soon as possible and make a run for my connecting flight. The only aisle seat available was next to a lady so I politely asked if it was free, she just said 'I think so'. I think she wanted to say 'Yes but I dont want you to sit here'. Anyway shameless as I am I decided to ignore her comment and sat down.

Upon disembarking I learnt I had missed my connection and so I had to make my way to Transfers to get another boarding pass for a later flight. Guess who managed to get there before me ? Yes the same lady. She had also missed her connection :D and kept complaining to the transfer desk agent why EK couldn't hold the flight for just 15 minutes so she could catch her flight. Then went into a diatribe as to why it was extremely important that she get to her destination that day. Needless to say she was holding me and the enter queue when we just wanted to get our new BPs

Why do you say that's annoying? Wouldn't most people who missed a connection and were stuck at DXB with no lounge access for an extra 5 hours be pretty miffed about it and wonder why the airline couldn't hold back the next flight by just 10 minutes?

I've been lucky not to have to interact with annoying passengers, the worst being seat poachers. What is annoying are people who check in, get on board and then decide they don't want to fly. And waste 2 hours of everyone else's time.

What is annoying are people who check in, get on board and then decide they don't want to fly.
Having never experienced the situation before, I am not able to quite comprehend why people would get on board and decide then decide they don't want to fly...

Not much with passengers, more annoyed with crew/check-in agents.

Specially in DXB.

1)A valid Visa is in my passport , multiple entry, for UK/Schengen, yet I have to wait for 10-15 minutes till they call a Senior for Visa check. Can't they read the documents written in simple English on their own?

2)I have dxb residence. I am asked by check-in agents about my visa , mainly sectors DXB-Gulf countries, and agent already knows I get it on arrival using their tools!! Sometimes I also had to wait 10-15 minutes for the Senior to do a visa check. In some cases, I am not allowed to board because I have no visa (happened with EK and FlyDubai). I then simply fly with the national carrier of the country, no questions asked and I get my visa in the airport. Unfortunately, there is no way to hold agents accountable for their actions, if they say you do not get visa on arrival (just to be on the safe side), that's it, you lose your flight, they don't give you written confirmation and you have no rights!

3) As many of you may already know, Dxb residence becomes invalid if you leave the country for more than six months. Sometimes I am asked, on the sector back to DXB, when I last left Dubai and I say "one week " or "two weeks". I get further questioned "where is the exit stamp" and I tell them that I use Electronic Gate. Then, I am asked to show them this E-gate card (I wonder what benefit does this bring to show the card).
At the end of the day, My outbound trip DXB-Wherver was taken on EK, with your airline, a few days or weeks back . You have all the details. It's the same Ticket !!!


All this adds more disappointment and frustration for me as a customer (Ex-Silver)

Interesting to see the direction this is taking! Personal gripes:

1. Pax who use their phones while on active runway (this nearly turned into a fistfight on one EK flight when I asked a pap in J to turn off his phone because the signals can affect electronics on board and his actions were endangering the safety of others, i.e. me - boy, did he get aggressive!).

Get a grip......this is not YOUR job

2. Pax who demonstrate their lack of culture and upbringing by treating CC like indentured servants.

+1000

3. Pax (male) who attach a sprinkler system to a part of their anatomy and spray the floor in lavatories.

Agreed

4. Pax (any gender) who leave lavatories in a mess, e.g.. damp floor, unflushed lavatory, sink full of bubbles and toothpaste etc.

This Unfortunatly is not a problem specific to EK

5. Pax from certain countries who big it up in F while leaving Filipina nannies in J with their obnoxious offspring.

I actually appreciate these passengers (cuz I'm in F) :D

6. Pax who move up a class to stand in the aisle and natter to their more fortunate friends/colleagues while blocking room for cabin service and causing noise pollution.

Any good F/A will take care of this for you if you notice it first. I've seen FA's get very aggressive when other pax in F get visitors

7. Upgraded pax who spend the flight trying to convince CC to also upgrade friends/colleagues/hot chicks they have met at the airport.

That's just ridiculous. Does this really happen?

8. Pax who are lunging for their bags from overhead lockers when the speed brakes are still deployed.

But it is funny to watch them fall

9. Pax who seem unable to follow basic standards of personal hygiene - usually the same ones who have shoes and socks off with feet pressed on the back of the seat in front.

All part of the EK experience

Gosh, that was a rant. Perhaps it's just symptomatic of travelling a lot but the more I fly the more I am convinced that there is a set of unwritten rules for travelling which is a combination of keeping yourself comfortable while exercising some respect for those around you. Sadly, some who travel frequently, as well as the clueless occasional flyers, are oblivious to this.

May I suggest a Valium before your next flight :D:D

There are countless things that people do which are highly annoying, but I do my best to ignore most of it.

What flying has taught me is that there are way too many obnoxious, rude, self-centered people in this world. And, number one, typically flying in F or J, I have found that having money certainly doesn't mean a person has class.

One of my biggest pet-pieves:

http://www.watchstand.com/FT/EKYuck.jpg

+100000 This pisses me off more then anything. For some reason, I see this all the time both on EK flights (mostly Gulf, India, Pak flights), and UA flights to/from Hawaii. My GF (a F/A w EK swears they are not allowed to ask passengers to put their shoes (or at least socks if they own them) back on. However, she does take extra blankets and likes to throw them over passengers feet (when sleeping or awake, she does not care)

I've been lucky not to have to interact with annoying passengers, the worst being seat poachers

But those poor staff you interact with!

Apologies for breaking the 'no personal attacks rule'. LOL

Yes seat poachers are highly annoying. Especially when you've gotten ground staff to block seats for you and you arrive to find someone has planted himself in your row. I now just ask them for their boarding pass and redirect them by saying "I booked these 4 seats. If you don't mind, your seat is over there."



Just to add on to the list:
I really used to hate it if pax behind me is playing a game on the IFE and tapping the screen really hard every 10 secs. Also if they keep nudging my seat.

Pax who wont let you recline are also extremely annoying.

But those are for Y flights. Hopefully I won't be so unfortunate to have to fly Y so often anymore.

For premium cabins, I hate it when the whole cabin has window shades closed and one person decides he would like to get a tan. Even worse when he then falls asleep leaving it open.

And once had a 77W EK flight where I was in 2K and couldnt sleep properly cause I could hear the crew chatting and laughing away in the galley on an overnight flight.

Why do you say that's annoying? Wouldn't most people who missed a connection and were stuck at DXB with no lounge access for an extra 5 hours be pretty miffed about it and wonder why the airline couldn't hold back the next flight by just 10 minutes?


It's annoying because
1. The transfer desk couldn't or can do anything about it now
2. The delay was not EK's fault. It was a medical emergency so why have a go at her
3. EK went all the way to accommodating pax in hotels, providing them visas, meal vouchers etc till their next flight.

What more could they do ?

Who's to stay it would have only been delayed 10-15min? If it were a UK or US flight, you could expect at least 50 people connecting from a single KHI flight. If you make the decision to wait for one, then you must wait for them all. Some people are quick on their feet, others are not. Some people consider the Dubai Duty Free shopping time more important than an ontime departure, could they not get sidetracked? Other factors to bear in mind are time restrictions. EK005 to LHR is a critical ontime departure from DXB because the return sector leaves just before curfew restrictions. Same for EK414 to SYD as it arrives just before curfew. There are alot of factors to consider and i'm sure these would have all been thought of.

I was curious to see - or perhaps confirm - that patterns of annoying behaviour are consistent across different carriers.


Someone please post this to AA and CX :D

1. Pax who use their phones while on active runway (this nearly turned into a fistfight on one EK flight when I asked a pap in J to turn off his phone because the signals can affect electronics on board and his actions were endangering the safety of others, i.e. me - boy, did he get aggressive!).

Get a grip......this is not YOUR job

[B]No, not my job but certainly my safety at risk - and the CC were all strapped in ready for departure.

7. Upgraded pax who spend the flight trying to convince CC to also upgrade friends/colleagues/hot chicks they have met at the airport.

That's just ridiculous. Does this really happen?

Oh yes. A couple of months ago I was in my customary seat in J when a young man who had been upgraded because of an arm injury (I'm not going to suggest that he had fallen over while the worse for wear, but that was the impression I had) spent at least three hours trying to convince the CC to upgrade one of the girls travelling with him. I was close to suggesting that he buy a J upgrade, but didn't...

8. Pax who are lunging for their bags from overhead lockers when the speed brakes are still deployed.

But it is funny to watch them fall

Except when it's on your head. I saw someone nearly decapitated on an AF flight in 2009 when a metal camera case fell out of an overhead.

9. Pax who seem unable to follow basic standards of personal hygiene - usually the same ones who have shoes and socks off with feet pressed on the back of the seat in front.

All part of the EK experience

Maybe but I don't pay for premium seats to be assailed by bad foot hygiene...

May I suggest a Valium before your next flight.

Now you're talking!

What's the most annoying EK passenger you have seen?

Fat ones in colourful clothing that scoff at the lounge buffet like pigs at a trough.

Saw one in the Hong Kong lounge, but fortunately must have been a gold card holder as this porcine (this is actually offensive to pigs because they are generally clean and cute) didn't show in the J cabin and wasn't to be seen in F.

(this is actually offensive to pigs because they are generally clean and cute)


:D pigs are clean, thanks for the laugh.

For premium cabins, I hate it when the whole cabin has window shades closed and one person decides he would like to get a tan. Even worse when he then falls asleep leaving it open.


This is the most annoying thing on long haul flights. I have asked for them to close the shade(s)...it always works...

This is the most annoying thing on long haul flights. I have asked for them to close the shade(s)...it always works...

Didn't think this could be annoying till it happened on a 12 hour day flight BKK-FRA on TG a couple of days ago. This gentlemen was the only one with one window shade open as he wanted to read every newspaper on the plane. Everyone else had their blinds shut in the J cabin except for him, and he was seated right behind me. Pretty annoying.

What if the guy just wants to look outside the window for 10 hours? If you want to sleep, you can always use eye-shades. If you want to watch a movie in a cinema-like environment, an airplane might not be the best place for it.

What if the guy just wants to look outside the window for 10 hours? If you want to sleep, you can always use eye-shades. If you want to watch a movie in a cinema-like environment, an airplane might not be the best place for it.

Every time I have seen that happen, the passenger wouldn't even glance out of the window. Except for this one:
Late 2009, EK412 DXB-SYD, 03K (I was in 02F) decided about 3-4 hours into the flight (think we were over Sri Lanka or Maldives, can't remember) to open all 4 shades, when everyone else had them down. He had 3 or 4 SLR bodies next to him and started snapping photos of things below. After the photo shoot he got his g/f or wife to join him in the suite. And after some snuggles that lasted a while he kicked back into sleep mode with the shades still open. I went to him, could you please close them, they're really annoying. To which that pest answered: 'Wear eye shades, I am not bringing them down'. The thing that was annoying me was the glare that made my screen hard to look at.

I summoned the flight purser and complained about it. Sure enough 30 seconds later the shades went down. The few times he passed by my seat he would give me those stupid stares as if I should be scared or ashamed.

This is unlike the story that happened on the same flight a year later. But the passenger (02K, I was in 02F) this time was sleeping like a baby with his suite doors closed. It took the crew several tries to bring the shades down as they were too scared to open the doors. I recall the purser bending over the suite doors like an acrobat and using a menu folder to slide the shades down - they were the manually operated ones.

Having said all that, even on short halls (3-4 hour flights) this thing is annoying. Seen passengers who would close one or two shades, keep one or two open (while in an aisle seat, and the window seat vacant) and would be looking the other way.

Part of the problem is that the light coming through the windows is at eye level when seated, just like you would be driving in the middle of the night and you get high beamed from the side. Very unpleasant and annoying.

Every time I have seen that happen, the passenger wouldn't even glance out of the window. Except for this one:
Late 2009, EK412 DXB-SYD, 03K (I was in 02F) decided about 3-4 hours into the flight (think we were over Sri Lanka or Maldives, can't remember) to open all 4 shades, when everyone else had them down. He had 3 or 4 SLR bodies next to him and started snapping photos of things below. After the photo shoot he got his g/f or wife to join him in the suite. And after some snuggles that lasted a while he kicked back into sleep mode with the shades still open. I went to him, could you please close them, they're really annoying. To which that pest answered: 'Wear eye shades, I am not bringing them down'. The thing that was annoying me was the glare that made my screen hard to look at.

I summoned the flight purser and complained about it. Sure enough 30 seconds later the shades went down. The few times he passed by my seat he would give me those stupid stares as if I should be scared or ashamed.

This is unlike the story that happened on the same flight a year later. But the passenger (02K, I was in 02F) this time was sleeping like a baby with his suite doors closed. It took the crew several tries to bring the shades down as they were too scared to open the doors. I recall the purser bending over the suite doors like an acrobat and using a menu folder to slide the shades down - they were the manually operated ones.

Having said all that, even on short halls (3-4 hour flights) this thing is annoying. Seen passengers who would close one or two shades, keep one or two open (while in an aisle seat, and the window seat vacant) and would be looking the other way.



Part of the problem is that the light coming through the windows is at eye level when seated, just like you would be driving in the middle of the night and you get high beamed from the side. Very unpleasant and annoying.


Was this in Mid 2011 ???
DXB-LGW or could be MAN) ?:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::eek:

Was this in Mid 2011 ???
DXB-LGW or could be MAN) ?:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::eek:

Nope, never flown any of these routes.

OT in regards to Emirates, but
1) I recently flew TG F, and the FA's were pretty good at closing the shades. Almost OCD about it, but in a good way.
2) I don't know if EK has any 787's on order, but they come with electronic shades. Just call FA and they'll be able to take care of it. ;) I don't know about Airbus and what they have now or into the future, but l'm sure it will make it's way there.

What if the guy just wants to look outside the window for 10 hours? If you want to sleep, you can always use eye-shades. If you want to watch a movie in a cinema-like environment, an airplane might not be the best place for it.

I agree completely.

I am a fairly responsible person, born and bred in the UK, with manners to match, and do not go out of my way to antagonise people. But sometimes, when I am reading, a little extra light makes all the difference to me. That's what I pay for.

OT in regards to Emirates, but
1) I recently flew TG F, and the FA's were pretty good at closing the shades. Almost OCD about it, but in a good way.
2) I don't know if EK has any 787's on order, but they come with electronic shades. Just call FA and they'll be able to take care of it. ;) I don't know about Airbus and what they have now or into the future, but l'm sure it will make it's way there.

In Y, it is also the reading lights that are a pain on the long haul flights when everyone has the shades down, but there is some joker who continues to read the whole flight - always sitting right in front of me! LOL, i guess it is/was worse when the movie is beamed on the screen in front of the cabin with no in seat entertainment, but it always bugged me!

I've also sat near "busy" business guys that think this is the time to shred reams of paper by ripping them in half and half and half...man! Save it for the paper shredder, I'm trying to sleep! :)

I agree completely.

I am a fairly responsible person, born and bred in the UK, with manners to match, and do not go out of my way to antagonise people. But sometimes, when I am reading, a little extra light makes all the difference to me. That's what I pay for.

No idea what born and bred in the UK has to do with anything but I do agree that whether someone likes it or not it is their choice to open a window or recline their seat or keep the light on all night. It is part of the offering and what you pay for, I can't see how these habits count as "most annoying". Try the guy who sat next to me on a long hall flight and literally sh@t his pants now that is annoying!

I agree completely.

I am a fairly responsible person, born and bred in the UK, with manners to match, and do not go out of my way to antagonise people. But sometimes, when I am reading, a little extra light makes all the difference to me. That's what I pay for.

It is not my intention to hijack this thread but:

I fail to see the relevance of where one is born or bred.

I understand that it is not your intention to antagonize people, but I for one have taken this to mean that people who are born and bred in the UK have better manners than those from other countries. Sometimes it is this superior attitude (unintentional, I'm sure) that may rub others in the wrong way.

It is not my intention to hijack this thread but:

I fail to see the relevance of where one is born or bred.

I understand that it is not your intention to antagonize people, but I for one have taken this to mean that people who are born and bred in the UK have better manners than those from other countries. Sometimes it is this superior attitude (unintentional, I'm sure) that may rub others in the wrong way.

Hmmm, I read the born and bred and manners to match comments as code for passive aggression

OT in regards to Emirates, but
2) I don't know if EK has any 787's on order, but they come with electronic shades. Just call FA and they'll be able to take care of it. ;) I don't know about Airbus and what they have now or into the future, but l'm sure it will make it's way there.

Since mid 2011 all EK 777 come with electronic shades, but Im not sure whether FA can operate them from distance

Since mid 2011 all EK 777 come with electronic shades, but Im not sure whether FA can operate them from distance

The shades can be operated centrally by the crew if needed...

Not much with passengers, more annoyed with crew/check-in agents.

Specially in DXB.

1)A valid Visa is in my passport , multiple entry, for UK/Schengen, yet I have to wait for 10-15 minutes till they call a Senior for Visa check. Can't they read the documents written in simple English on their own?

2)I have dxb residence. I am asked by check-in agents about my visa , mainly sectors DXB-Gulf countries, and agent already knows I get it on arrival using their tools!! Sometimes I also had to wait 10-15 minutes for the Senior to do a visa check. In some cases, I am not allowed to board because I have no visa (happened with EK and FlyDubai). I then simply fly with the national carrier of the country, no questions asked and I get my visa in the airport. Unfortunately, there is no way to hold agents accountable for their actions, if they say you do not get visa on arrival (just to be on the safe side), that's it, you lose your flight, they don't give you written confirmation and you have no rights!

3) As many of you may already know, Dxb residence becomes invalid if you leave the country for more than six months. Sometimes I am asked, on the sector back to DXB, when I last left Dubai and I say "one week " or "two weeks". I get further questioned "where is the exit stamp" and I tell them that I use Electronic Gate. Then, I am asked to show them this E-gate card (I wonder what benefit does this bring to show the card).
At the end of the day, My outbound trip DXB-Wherver was taken on EK, with your airline, a few days or weeks back . You have all the details. It's the same Ticket !!!


All this adds more disappointment and frustration for me as a customer (Ex-Silver)


Are you a Pakistani or Indian national? I have friends who are passport holders of either of these countries and they frequently receive added security measures such as the ones you mention above, I suppose for counterterrorism risk management.

Are you a Pakistani or Indian national? I have friends who are passport holders of either of these countries and they frequently receive added security measures such as the ones you mention above, I suppose for counterterrorism risk management.

WHOA calm down. This is nothing to do with anything apart from border control.
Any airline anywhere in the world that delivers a person to a country without a valid VISA will at their own expense need to get them out of that country.

I hold UK and Australian passports and live in Thailand where all my family are yet I still get a grilling at GLA every 3 weeks when I leave or enter that airport.

I did befor but dont now get pissed off about it. Now its just a thing I do to keep some jobsworth employed.

OK bring on the slagging

WHOA calm down. This is nothing to do with anything apart from border control.
Any airline anywhere in the world that delivers a person to a country without a valid VISA will at their own expense need to get them out of that country.

I hold UK and Australan passports and live in Thailand where all my family are yet I still get a grilling at GLA every 3 weeks when i leave or enter that airport.

I did but dont now pissed off about it now its just a thing I do to keep some jobsworth employed.

OK bring on the slagging


You get a grilling at Glasgow airport when travelling on an EU passport? :confused: Your passport must be special ;)

You get a grilling at Glasgow airport when travelling on an EU passport? :confused: Your passport must be special ;)

No they are just doing the job.

When you enter a country you must be allowed to be there, I can tell you that an EU passport in Asia means squat, use yours for holidays in spain.

I work offshore oil/gas and do this trip home EVERY 3 WEEKS so I do know it.

No they are just doing the job.

When you enter a country you must be allowed to be there, I can tell you that an EU passport in Asia means squat, use yours for holidays in spain.

I work offshore oil/gas and do this trip home EVERY 3 WEEKS so I do know it.

Thank you for your insinuation there. Although sweet it is rather misinformed as you do not know my travel patterns. :)

However for you to get such a grilling is unusual and far from the norm. Perhaps your travel documents in particular warrant further investigation for it to happen so regularly.

Thank you for your insinuation there. Although sweet it is rather misinformed as you do not know my travel patterns. :)

However for you to get such a grilling is unusual and far from the norm. Perhaps your travel documents in particular warrant further investigation for it to happen so regularly.

Who said so regulary? I hope a moderator will kick soon as you are doing my head in.

Who said so regulary? I hope a moderator will kick soon as you are doing my head in.


I still get a grilling at GLA every 3 weeks when i leave or enter that airport.



Anyway, there is nothing else left to be said so I suggest in the interests of keeping this thread on topic we move on. :)

I'll add one that annoys me and happened to me recently.

When reclining in the sleeperette seats/economy seats, and you tilt the head rest forward to "perfect" you position, the person behind you gets up and pulls your seat/rests on it just to get out of his seat! Causing you spill the drink your sipping/jerking you back and waking you up/moving the head rest so that your not in a comfortable position anymore. That really pisses me off! Especially when they can lean on the armrests for support and avoid bothering anyone else.

Recent DXB-JFK flight -

1 - At the ticket desk, there was an American couple. Her mother had just died and they were trying to get back to the US as soon as possible. They were looking at all 3 classes - said they would pay F or J or Y. The ticket agent said sorry, the flight is 100% full. I get on board. There's like 5 free seats in J where people haven't bothered to show up.

2 - A family of about 10 (who can afford to pay for about 6 under-10 kids in J) who, even when the lights have dimmed and people are trying to sleep, visit each other, blocking the aisle and being noisy.

3 - A teenager from the SAME family who would NOT sit in a middle seat. I mean, this is J on the A380. It's going to be quite roomy no matter where you sit. He has the staff running round to every window seat asking the passenger if they mind moving (while TAXIING to runway). His parents ignore it.

4 - The wifi doesn't work until 10,000 feet. The one passenger who refuses to let the cabin crew member sit down before we take off, insisting that she 'activate' the wifi NOW!

5 - The most annoying thing was the man who was in the bathroom before me leaving a floater as well as a sink clogged with shaving foam and a wet floor. Lovely.

On the return, JFK-DXB.

A silver card holder (flying Y) in the EK lounge insisting that he be able to board from the upstairs gateway with J and F passengers.

a guy in y who was sat across from my in a row behind a bulkhead was whinging about something think it was legroom and how he was promised J etc etc so they moved this poor guy from a bulk head near the back gave him a load of free booze then on landing the cheeky chap then asks to move back (presumably so he can disembark first!)

Unbelievable.

One of my biggest annoyances is somebody that doesn't close their window shade on a sleeping flight.

I was on SEA->DXB. I am in paid F, there is only other other paid F. They op-up 3 people from J. And, yes, you guessed it, one of the J passengers closes their suite door, puts on the the privacy light, and falls asleep with their window shades open. This is on a 777-200 with manual shades in F.

It is now the equivalent of 2 AM and I am trying to sleep, but can't because of all the light in the cabin from this guys windows. I call over the FA and ask if they can get him to close his shade, they come back and say his privacy sign is on, door closed, and they can't do anything about it.

So, here is a very distinct case of an op-up person from J completely ruining my experience in F as I can't sleep at all with all the light in the cabin, nor can the other paid F guy in 1A who is also compiling to the FA.

Here is a photo of the cabin at 2 AM SEA time:

http://www.watchstand.com/FT/SleepingWithWindowOpen.jpg

One of my biggest annoyances is somebody that doesn't close their window shade on a sleeping flight.

I was on SEA->DXB. I am in paid F, there is only other other paid F. They op-up 3 people from J. And, yes, you guessed it, one of the J passengers closes their suite door, puts on the the privacy light, and falls asleep with their window shades open. This is on a 777-200 with manual shades in F.

It is now the equivalent of 2 AM and I am trying to sleep, but can't because of all the light in the cabin from this guys windows. I call over the FA and ask if they can get him to close his shade, they come back and say his privacy sign is on, door closed, and they can't do anything about it.

So, here is a very distinct case of an op-up person from J completely ruining my experience in F as I can't sleep at all with all the light in the cabin, nor can the other paid F guy in 1A who is also compiling to the FA.

I get annoyed by that as well, but still they have their own rights as well, I don't see why being upgraded has anything to do with it. If the passanger paid for his/her ticket would that be ok? Doesnt make any sense. The passanger never asked to be upgraded. he/she might've wanted to do the same in J.

I get annoyed by that as well, but still they have their own rights as well, I don't see why being upgraded has anything to do with it. If the passanger paid for his/her ticket would that be ok? Doesnt make any sense. The passanger never asked to be upgraded. he/she might've wanted to do the same in J.

Why? Because there is etiquette on being on an overnight flight. On many airlines, in J and F, the FAs come around and close the window shades on overnight flights and it is considered very poor form to have your window shades open when everybody else is trying to sleep. in fact, on several Asian and European airlines you will get barked at by the FAs if you keep you window shade open during a night flight (where it is light outside).

In regards to your question about why upgrading has anything to do with it. People that are accustomed to flying on EK F realize that when you close the door that the FA has no ability to do anything with your window shades (on flights with manual shades) and thus you understand the importance of making sure your window shades are down. Somebody that isn't used to it may have no idea that an FA can't do anything once your doors are shut, whereas in J if they forget to put their shade down, then fall asleep, the FA can lower the shades at any time.

In the case of the flight I was on, the passenger simply fell asleep with the shades open, he didn't have them open for any reason other than he never closed them before shutting his door and falling asleep. Thus, the two paying F passengers couldn't sleep at all.

Why? Because there is etiquette on being on an overnight flight. On many airlines, in J and F, the FAs come around and close the window shades on overnight flights and it is considered very poor form to have your window shades open when everybody else is trying to sleep. in fact, on several Asian and European airlines you will get barked at by the FAs if you keep you window shade open during a night flight (where it is light outside).

In regards to your question about why upgrading has anything to do with it. People that are accustomed to flying on EK F realize that when you close the door that the FA has no ability to do anything with your window shades (on flights with manual shades) and thus you understand the importance of making sure your window shades are down. Somebody that isn't used to it may have no idea that an FA can't do anything once your doors are shut, whereas in J if they forget to put their shade down, then fall asleep, the FA can lower the shades at any time.

In the case of the flight I was on, the passenger simply fell asleep with the shades open, he didn't have them open for any reason other than he never closed them before shutting his door and falling asleep. Thus, the two paying F passengers couldn't sleep at all.

I'm totally with you here, I personally hate it when this happenes, but you don't know wheather this person is used to flying J or F, still I believe there is nothing to do with it.

I was once on a flight in J and there was one person who was sleeping with his lights on, the FA couldnt do anything about it because his body is blocking the button. It annoyed me for a while but I'm sure he was tired and did not notice that. I surely notice this but some might not.

eye shades??

I'm totally with you here, I personally hate it when this happenes, but you don't know wheather this person is used to flying J or F, still I believe there is nothing to do with it.

I was once on a flight in J and there was one person who was sleeping with his lights on, the FA couldnt do anything about it because his body is blocking the button. It annoyed me for a while but I'm sure he was tired and did not notice that. I surely notice this but some might not.

Having your light on is a far cry from having a window open that lights up the ENTIRE cabin.

eye shades??

Really? In paid F you are suggesting I wear eye shades so that some yahoo can leave his window open the entire flight? Perhaps I should wear ear plugs so that he can sing the entire flight too?

Maybe part of the process when they welcome the pax and explain the seat should be a kind note to actually close it. This might address the fact that there are pax who are not aware of it, i.e. that other pax might not be able to sleep. I doubt that the majority of pax leaves the shades open on purpose. I know that this doesn't guarantee a 0% rate but still ...

ok so it was Y but still-
Very handsome 30 somehting man in a good suit, nice shoes sits next to me. Relief, cuz you never know whats gonna be next to you.

After take off he spends the ENTIRE flight chewing tobacco and SPITTING into a cup. Loud disgusting brown stringy spit.

Hey whimike, I feel with you.
Precisely the sort of things that happen with me all the time and it ruins the experience of F. This sort of light annoyance farks up anything you want to do. Whether you decide to stay up watch a movie, work on your laptop, or sleep.

I would have called the flight purser and hammered to have the shades closed. If they refused to intervene, I would have went the suite myself knocked on the door and woke the passenger up. I don't care about what others will think and am not prepared to sit still (like I did in the beginning) waiting for miracles to happen.

eye shades??

Eyeshades slip up, they're uncomfortable and you can't really use them if you wanna watch a movie or read. It might be me, but I can't do anything with that sort of light in a dim cabin (with mood light becoming pointless).

Really? In paid F you are suggesting I wear eye shades so that some yahoo can leave his window open the entire flight? Perhaps I should wear ear plugs so that he can sing the entire flight too?

Why not? They're effective and genuinely help sleep. Not just on flights. :confused:

Eyeshades slip up, they're uncomfortable).

You're doing it wrong!:D

People that are accustomed to flying on EK F realize that when you close the door that the FA has no ability to do anything with your window shades (on flights with manual shades) and thus you understand the importance of making sure your window shades are down. Somebody that isn't used to it may have no idea that an FA can't do anything once your doors are shut, whereas in J if they forget to put their shade down, then fall asleep, the FA can lower the shades at any time.

Maybe it is EK's fault here. Why do they promise that they do not open your suite door when the privacy sign is on? They will for sure look over the edge of your door when turbulence hits the plane and they want to check if you are buckled up. At the end, this is not a hotel room but just a plane. Crew should be allowed to do whatever they want to.

Eyeshades slip up, they're uncomfortable and you can't really use them if you wanna watch a movie or read. It might be me, but I can't do anything with that sort of light in a dim cabin (with mood light becoming pointless).

The picture certainly doesn't show it, but with my suite doors closed the amount of light coming into my suite was incredible. It really ruined the mood whether I was sleeping or not.

As far as eyeshades go, they are not comfortable for me and I don't wear them. Nor do I expect I should need to wear them in an F suite, just as I don't think I should need to wear ear-plugs.

Hey whimike, I feel with you.
Precisely the sort of things that happen with me all the time and it ruins the experience of F. This sort of light annoyance farks up anything you want to do. Whether you decide to stay up watch a movie, work on your laptop, or sleep.

I would have called the flight purser and hammered to have the shades closed. If they refused to intervene, I would have went the suite myself knocked on the door and woke the passenger up. I don't care about what others will think and am not prepared to sit still (like I did in the beginning) waiting for miracles to happen.

Funny you say that, I was having visions of going over to his suite and closing his windows somehow. I just couldn't get myself to do it.

It is now the equivalent of 2 AM and I am trying to sleep, but can't because of all the light in the cabin from this guys windows. I call over the FA and ask if they can get him to close his shade, they come back and say his privacy sign is on, door closed, and they can't do anything about it.



Glad to see that the FA did not give in to the flawed "its 2 AM several timezones away so everyone should have their window shades closed" logic.

Hey whimike, I feel with you.
Precisely the sort of things that happen with me all the time and it ruins the experience of F. This sort of light annoyance farks up anything you want to do. Whether you decide to stay up watch a movie, work on your laptop, or sleep.

I would have called the flight purser and hammered to have the shades closed. If they refused to intervene, I would have went the suite myself knocked on the door and woke the passenger up. I don't care about what others will think and am not prepared to sit still (like I did in the beginning) waiting for miracles to happen.

"I shall dictate how other passengers ought to do or not do" - another fine example of the most annoying passenger behavior.

"I shall dictate how other passengers ought to do or not do" - another fine example of the most annoying passenger behavior.

Irony noted. But when a passenger is an ignorant just like your comment, I have every right to ask for an intervention.

Folks, lets not turn this into a sledging match. Remember, stay away from personal attacks, otherwise I will release The Zol...:)

Fact is, whether one likes it or not, the passenger has every right to leave their window open and talk to their friends and whatever else may be annoying to some people unless the rules state otherwise. It isn't relevant of someone Believes there is an etiquette for 1st class travel. An emirati might have a different view of acceptable etiquette to a Brit or an Indian etc.

Clearly there is always something that annoys someone but in most cases I say life is too short or is something in my life making me this stressed that I react so badly to this when the hippy in economy can sleep just fine with open windows, food being served and screaming babies!?

Easier said than done I accept but aren't we sometimes in danger of taking ourselves a little too seriously if an open window can ruin a flight and create a bad taste days after the "incident"?

Fact is, whether one likes it or not, the passenger has every right to leave their window open and talk to their friends and whatever else may be annoying to some people unless the rules state otherwise.

They have the "right" to sing karaoke, burp and fart for the entire flight as well, but just because it's a "right" doesn't mean that it's appropriate.

Glad to see that the FA did not give in to the flawed "its 2 AM several timezones away so everyone should have their window shades closed" logic.

Considering we flew direct north over the pole, it was 2 AM in the originating city and likely very close to that where we were flying at that moment. So in this case it's your assumption that is flawed.

Fact is, whether one likes it or not, the passenger has every right to leave their window open and talk to their friends and whatever else may be annoying to some people unless the rules state otherwise. It isn't relevant of someone Believes there is an etiquette for 1st class travel. An emirati might have a different view of acceptable etiquette to a Brit or an Indian etc.

Clearly there is always something that annoys someone but in most cases I say life is too short or is something in my life making me this stressed that I react so badly to this when the hippy in economy can sleep just fine with open windows, food being served and screaming babies!?

Easier said than done I accept but aren't we sometimes in danger of taking ourselves a little too seriously if an open window can ruin a flight and create a bad taste days after the "incident"?

So, you have no problem if somebody is barking like a dog the entire flight, at full volume? I guess that is not against any rules.

What if the person sitting next to you is bouncing up and down moving your entire seat? Not against the rules either.

On many European and Asian airlines the FA's bark at you if you open your window. Would you then read them the rules then open your window?

This thread is about what people find annoying in passengers and I have stated what I found to be annoying. Did the guy close his window? No. Was I unable to sleep on the flight, yes. Was I annoyed? Yes. Do I have "a bad taste days after", no not at all, simply posting my experience here to share my opinion on what i find to be an annoying passenger.

Apart from one on topic post and a mod warning, this thread has been sidetracked since post #63.

Can the seperate discussion be moved elsewhere?

So, you have no problem if somebody is barking like a dog the entire flight, at full volume? I guess that is not against any rules.

What if the person sitting next to you is bouncing up and down moving your entire seat? Not against the rules either.

On many European and Asian airlines the FA's bark at you if you open your window. Would you then read them the rules then open your window?

Agree

And just to add to that, having a "right" and "not going against any rules" doesn't mean it is entirely fine to do something. Having some consideration for others and the environment around you is important.

For premium cabins, I hate it when the whole cabin has window shades closed and one person decides he would like to get a tan. Even worse when he then falls asleep leaving it open.



If the pax is getting a tan that mean the sun is up outside so one should not be sleeping. One best deals with jet lag by sleeping when it is dark out and being awake when the sun is out. Moreover, it is rather assumptive to think that the pax is simply getting a tan. Perhaps she is enjoying the beauty of the sky, watching other flights, or fighting off claustrophobia. Most annoying are those pax who presume about others, who judge others, etc. So often they only reveal their own petty elitism and general insecurity.

If the pax is getting a tan that mean the sun is up outside so one should not be sleeping. One best deals with jet lag by sleeping when it is dark out and being awake when the sun is out. Moreover, it is rather assumptive to think that the pax is simply getting a tan. Perhaps she is enjoying the beauty of the sky, watching other flights, or fighting off claustrophobia. Most annoying are those pax who presume about others, who judge others, etc. So often they only reveal their own petty elitism and general insecurity.

When flying from the SEA/SFO/LAX to DXB you fly right over the north pole. In the summer this means that the sun is up nearly 24 hours a day, and therefore no matter what time it is, for a good part of the flight the sun is out. Per your advice nobody would ever sleep on these 15 hour flights.

The poster was clearly joking about the passenger wanting to "get a tan", yet you, with complete seriousness, respond that it is assumptive to "think that" as the passenger may have been "watching other flights". I would be concerned about the sanity of anybody that watches out their window looking for other airplanes.

You end by stating that most annoying to you are pax who presume about others. Do these pax presume and judge out loud so that it is an annoyance to you on the flight? Or, do you get annoyed looking at a pax thinking that they may be judging somebody? I am just curious how you go about getting annoyed by something that typically isn't noticeable or visible, yet you get in a tizzy about people that get annoyed by actual physical actions that can generally be classified by most people as something that would cause physical annoyance.

Lastly, I don't think someone that wants to be able to sleep, and finds a passenger that keeps their window open annoying, is guilty of "general insecurity" or "petty elitism". Suggesting so is rather silly. I think it is much more simple than that, I think they simply want to sleep.

Fellas, lets end this side discussion and move on. It is not adding value anymore.

Very honestly guys, enough.

Onboard commercial flights anyone may do what they choose as long as it is not causing safety issues. In case you need complete darkness onboard - get a private jet.

The next thing you would start demanding is not to serve coffee in the cabin while you sleep as its aroma wakes you up.

When flying from the SEA/SFO/LAX to DXB you fly right over the north pole. In the summer this means that the sun is up nearly 24 hours a day, and therefore no matter what time it is, for a good part of the flight the sun is out. Per your advice nobody would ever sleep on these 15 hour flights.

The poster was clearly joking about the passenger wanting to "get a tan", yet you, with complete seriousness, respond that it is assumptive to "think that" as the passenger may have been "watching other flights". I would be concerned about the sanity of anybody that watches out their window looking for other airplanes.

You end by stating that most annoying to you are pax who presume about others. Do these pax presume and judge out loud so that it is an annoyance to you on the flight? Or, do you get annoyed looking at a pax thinking that they may be judging somebody? I am just curious how you go about getting annoyed by something that typically isn't noticeable or visible, yet you get in a tizzy about people that get annoyed by actual physical actions that can generally be classified by most people as something that would cause physical annoyance.

Lastly, I don't think someone that wants to be able to sleep, and finds a passenger that keeps their window open annoying, is guilty of "general insecurity" or "petty elitism". Suggesting so is rather silly. I think it is much more simple than that, I think they simply want to sleep.



+1E+5

Thanks Mike.

Some people just don't get it.
Lol

Very honestly guys, enough.

In case you need complete darkness onboard - get a private jet.

The next thing you would start demanding is not to serve coffee in the cabin while you sleep as its aroma wakes you up.

+1, and without the annoying trailing zeros :-)

OK, back on topic...

I mentioned this here a few years ago, but for those that have forgotten... :)

On a flight from JFK to DXB in Y ( :eek: ), I had my meal, watched a movie, and decided to settle down a for a few hours sleep.

I reclined my seat, and the woman behind went ballistic (I'd checked that she wasn't eating or drinking). She started hitting me on head, and causing a right commotion. I shouted at her to quit, at which point a got a tirade of abuse (at least I think it was abuse, as I didn't understand a word of it).

A young FA came along to find out what was going on. I explained to her, and she said that I had to move my seat back up! I refused, so she leant over and did it for me. :mad: Of course, as soon as she had gone, it went back down to the reclined position.

The woman behind proceeded to push and bang my seat. I knew she'd get bored before long, so I let her carry on.

I think it must have been reported to the purser, as she came to talk to me before we landed (I was a gold at the time). She asked how the flight had been, and did I have any comments I'd like to make. I contemplated mentioning the FAs behaviour, but I let it go as I didn't want any hassle when we got to Dubai.

I reclined my seat, and the woman behind went ballistic (I'd checked that she wasn't eating or drinking). She started hitting me on head, and causing a right commotion. I shouted at her to quit, at which point a got a tirade of abuse (at least I think it was abuse, as I didn't understand a word of it).

A young FA came along to find out what was going on. I explained to her, and she said that I had to move my seat back up! I refused, so she leant over and did it for me. :mad: Of course, as soon as she had gone, it went back down to the reclined position.

I wouldn't even know what to do in such a situation. More baffling is that the FA would ask you to put your seat upright, then do it for you without your consent.

I wouldn't even know what to do in such a situation. More baffling is that the FA would ask you to put your seat upright, then do it for you without your consent.

Yes, she didn't handle it very well.

Yes, she didn't handle it very well.

My initial guess is that you were less scary to the FA than the woman behind you.

This action, coupled with reports of FAs asking people to move seats when somebody is seat-squatting in their seat leads me to believe that some FAs do all they can to keep the "squeakiest wheel oiled" without much consideration of what is right and wrong.

I wouldn't even know what to do in such a situation. More baffling is that the FA would ask you to put your seat upright, then do it for you without your consent.

I think the OP handled it the best way, the FA went away happy, crazy lady wore herself out and the OP got his reclince. I would have mentioned it to the purser though, the FA should have been followed up for a spot of retraining.

I had a similar experience where the lady behind me did not like when I reclined (no more than half way). She called the FA who explained to her that there was nothing wrong with the picture, and that the lady could change her seat if she did not like it as there were empty seats around.

Reminds me of the recent LX flight to Beijing where two PRCs were brawling on the aisle due reclined seat woes.

I had a problem similar flying from DXB to KWI in Y.
During boarding the people sitting in front of our seats were reclined, I don't have a problem with people reclining, but while boarding we couldn't even get into our seats! They didn't budge after asking nicely, and I just gave them a good shove, and some "firm" words. They got the message though, and were nice enough once we were in the air to ask us if it would bother us if they can recline during the meal service.

Seats should be upright whilst plane is on terra firma. Its also polite and part of ettiquette to be upright during meal times. I have seen many a FA going round telling As Hs to raise up. Other than saids.. what are recliners for??. Its surprising how many non loaf users there are!!

I think the OP handled it the best way, the FA went away happy, crazy lady wore herself out and the OP got his reclince. I would have mentioned it to the purser though, the FA should have been followed up for a spot of retraining.

I forgot to mention that on the return I got a Y-J upgrade. Coincidence?

I forgot to mention that on the return I got a Y-J upgrade. Coincidence?

I hope not^

Seats should be upright whilst plane is on terra firma. Its also polite and part of ettiquette to be upright during meal times. I have seen many a FA going round telling As Hs to raise up. Other than saids.. what are recliners for??. Its surprising how many non loaf users there are!!

Why not recline when plane is on the ground? Especially in J/F on a night departure I get on, recline, and just go upright for take off, and then back into lounge mode.

Seats should be upright whilst plane is on terra firma.

Ever been sitting on the tarmac for a few hours ?

Worst flight ever involved the most annoying customer and worst FA response.
Flying BKK - LON in Y on Thai flight that was full. Boarded to find the guy in front was already fully reclined and asleep.
As a big guy I hate Y (try to fly J/F now whenever possible) and do everything I can to make sure I dont impinge on my seatmate(s).
I could barely get into my seat and then asked the FA if he needed to be upright for takeoff and the response was that they couldnt wake him! Spent the whole flight like this and he didn't even put the seat upright when leaving the plane.

Not dangerous or illegal then?

Note that I am an ex-senior manager with the Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and if it came to my attention that pilots were routinely endangering the lives of passengers (as you claim), I would have no hesitation in recommending that the airline have its Air Operators Certificate withdrawn (as was the case with Tiger).

Please let me have the details and I'll follow them up with CASA...

Oh, lighten up! It's the dumb passengers who don't get it...Happens in China alot too

Ever been sitting on the tarmac for a few hours ?

Yes at PMO. Pushback delayed so many, including me reclined. At taxi, seats back to upright was announced. Some ignored, prompting further instructions from the FAs.

Oh, lighten up! It's the dumb passengers who don't get it...Happens in China alot too

I'm not sure what you are saying.

Are you condoning the intentional and illegal injuring of pax by "professional" pilots?

I wouldn't express this view openly in the USA if I were you.

I'm not sure what you are saying.

Are you condoning the intentional and illegal injuring of pax by "professional" pilots?

I wouldn't express this view openly in the USA if I were you.

I have myself been in a landing where the ABS went haywire and the plane came to a grinding jerking halt (including white knuckled FAs). PAX would have no doubt been falling over eachother if standing in the aisles at the time.

I doubt any AA pilot would execute an extra hard braking maneuver so as to literally (!!) injure passengers. But enough to drive home the point that standing is hazardous to themselves and others, why not?

Yes at PMO. Pushback delayed so many, including me reclined. At taxi, seats back to upright was announced. Some ignored, prompting further instructions from the FAs.

Thanks, exactly my point. There is nothing wrong with recline while on ground. Taxi and take-off are the exceptions.

Most annoying or passengers asking crew to change their seats on a full flight making a fuss of not getting a window or aisle seat , didnt you check at the cou ter in the airport ? Passengers complaining of not being seated together, what can you possibly expect the fa to do ? Or passengers taking the fa's time after take off for trivial demands like when is the service going to start and can i also have a tea , service will never start if you dont stop asking for stuff ! But worse are passengers giving crew a hard time for not getting to them immediately when clearly they are running around like headless chickens trying to please everyone onboard !

It's interesting to see how this has veered on and off thread - I didn't expect it when I started the topic!

One silly niggle from a LGW-DXB in J day before yesterday; I sometimes get a little annoyed by less than sincere Purser greetings (yes, I know that it's in their book of instructions!) but found myself strangely miffed when I was completely ignored by the purser...then asked one of the CC for some unheated nuts...another CC came back to me a few minutes later and asked me to tell him which meal I wanted served cold...yes, I was confused as well! All round a rather odd flight - and yes, I know I said "no moaning about crew" in the first post, but...

I'm not sure what you are saying.

Are you condoning the intentional and illegal injuring of pax by "professional" pilots?

I wouldn't express this view openly in the USA if I were you.

Why not?
I believe the US constitution upholds the right to free speech.

What do you believe the consequences would be? Just as AP says "wouldn't it be a good idea of the pilot slams on the brakes to teach these ignorant, impatient and self-centred passengers a lesson!" do you anticipate that he will be seized by a highly trained SWAT team, his fellow passengers will rise up and lynch him or he will be publicly vilified and ostracised? :rolleyes:

Just read the thread, and my name did not pop up.. Thank you to all my fellow travelers...

No description of drunken loutish behaviour on the DXB-MAN sector either.:rolleyes::rolleyes:

I honestly don't remember a thing but the purser still remembered me even after a year.I was on a stag do with a few friends and that's my excuse . I was on my best behaviour as I slept (passed out!!!!)within an hour of the flight due to excessive consumption of liquids in the lounge and that was probably a good thing as I have to keep on flying EK.

Throwing up on the Aisle is not nice and luckily it was not me who threw up.:D:D:D:D:D

No description of drunken loutish behaviour on the DXB-MAN sector either.:rolleyes::rolleyes:

I honestly don't remember a thing but the purser still remembered me even after a year.I was on a stag do with a few friends and that's my excuse . I was on my best behaviour as I slept (passed out!!!!)within an hour of the flight due to excessive consumption of liquids in the lounge and that was probably a good thing as I have to keep on flying EK.

Throwing up on the Aisle is not nice and luckily it was not me who threw up.:D:D:D:D:D

My kind of flying! When are you next out of MAN?

Just read the thread, and my name did not pop up.. Thank you to all my fellow travelers...

Welcome back DTB