Last week I flew Helsinki to London on BA's morning flight (economy). The flight was busy, but not full. Something like 15 places free, according to the lady on the check in desk. We were lucky to get a row of 3 seats between the 2 of us, so we spread out.
Not long after take off the cabin crew came down the plane and asked if we could move up so someone else could join us as their seat was broken and wouldnt recline. We said we would rather not do that. The crew moved on and relocated the lady in another row.
Everything ended fine, from at least my point of view and the woman who wanted to recline (I am sure the people who were previously enjoying the space were less happy).
The reason for raising this here is just wondering does gold status really have any meaning on the flights? I have read a lot about people being recognised due to their status by crew. I have also been asked to complete a survey from BA were they wanted to know was I recognised on a trip I took not long after a reached gold.
The situation didnt bother me much and I would have gladly moved up if it was the only option. I only resisted enough to make the crew think again and I was very polite (but clear).
From what happened then I can only conclude the crew dont know who are the golds onboard or being gold doesnt give you much of a benefit on board? I actually dont want to be "recognised" and I am not looking for super special treatment. I am happy if the plane gets me where I am going on time. Anything else is a bonus. However, what happened made me feel the opposite of recognised. It didnt spoil my day or the flight, but it did irritate a little. I thought they knew who I was
On a related note, when I was finnair platinum then I regular got seated with the middle seat free. This seemed to be something they could do at check in or even the system took care of. BA doesnt seem to do anything similar.
Last week I flew Helsinki to London on BA's morning flight (economy). The flight was busy, but not full. Something like 15 places free, according to the lady on the check in desk. We were lucky to get a row of 3 seats between the 2 of us, so we spread out.
Not long after take off the cabin crew came down the plane and asked if we could move up so someone else could join us as their seat was broken and wouldnt recline. We said we would rather not do that. The crew moved on and relocated the lady in another row.
Everything ended fine, from at least my point of view and the woman who wanted to recline (I am sure the people who were previously enjoying the space were less happy).
The reason for raising this here is just wondering does gold status really have any meaning on the flights? I have read a lot about people being recognised due to their status by crew. I have also been asked to complete a survey from BA were they wanted to know was I recognised on a trip I took not long after a reached gold.
The situation didnt bother me much and I would have gladly moved up if it was the only option. I only resisted enough to make the crew think again and I was very polite (but clear).
From what happened then I can only conclude the crew dont know who are the golds onboard or being gold doesnt give you much of a benefit on board? I actually dont want to be "recognised" and I am not looking for super special treatment.I am happy if the plane gets me where I am going on time. Anything else is a bonus. However, what happened made me feel the opposite of recognised. It didnt spoil my day or the flight, but it did irritate a little. I thought they knew who I was
On a related note, when I was finnair platinum then I regular got seated with the middle seat free. This seemed to be something they could do at check in or even the system took care of. BA doesnt seem to do anything similar.
So, and I ask this with the greatest of respect to you, what exactly is the point of your rant? Was it a case of non-DYKWIA?
Unless being a GCH forbids the crew from talking to you, I do not see what the issue is. They made a perfectly reasonable request, it isn't like they asked you to deboard for this other passenger. If that extra spare seat really means that much to you then fly in CE next time.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 0hnoes
If that extra spare seat really means that much to you then fly in CE next time.
-1 Bit harsh and unrealistic.
They did ask a valid question - was it because you were the nearest free seat they saw? It is reasonable for the crew to check the manifest first (probably at one end or another of the aircraft) - probably not.
Certainly no harm in asking and she was just doing her job. Likewise no harm in me politely resisting. I certainly wouldnt say an outright no as it is up to the cabin crew to seat passengers.
However, I know many people who wouldnt resist because either they dont want to be seen to make a fuss or because they believe the crew know best.
To me it just felt like a lost opportunity to actually put something meaningful behind the "recognition" stuff I had seen from BA (Specifically the survey earlier in the year). Of course if they did I wouldnt have known about it, but as they didnt then I was put in the position of having to say no to them.
Far from the end of the world and the therapy is helping me get through the trauma of it all.
Not long after take off the cabin crew came down the plane and asked if we could move up so someone else could join us as their seat was broken and wouldnt recline. We said we would rather not do that. The crew moved on and relocated the lady in another row.
Unlike some other posters I might have some sympathy for OP, but it rather depends on the details.
As a GCH I would be a little irked if the crew asked me to move to a centre seat in order to allow someone whose seat was broken to take my seat.
But it sounds as if the crew just asked OP to move to his/her assigned seat so that what should have been a vacant seat could be used by the other passenger. If so, then IMHO the crew was entirely justified in approaching OP first. Couples can't really expect to have their cake and eat it: if they select adjacent seats in a row of three it follows that either the aisle or window seat should be free for use by others, and if I had been the passenger whose seat was broken I would be hugely unimpressed to be moved to a centre seat when an aisle/window was officially vacant....
So, and I ask this with the greatest of respect to you, what exactly is the point of your rant? Was it a case of non-DYKWIA?
Yes, in a very very very tiny way it was. That's what I meant by the playful wink at the end of this line.
Quote:
I thought they knew who I was
I know I was a passenger holding an economy ticket who happens to have travelled a large amount on BA in the last 12 months and therefore has been given a piece of gold (well almost) plastic, which lets him into some very nice lounges. Nothing more than that.
I think its a bit of a stretch to expect a FA to go through the manifest, and find the 'lowest status' passengers with a free seat next to them to then ask them to move/give up the free seat.
Much easier to just look for the closest empty seat and ask, as is what happened in this case. Its not like you had your gold card taped to your forehead..
HEL might be in Europe, but only just! At three hours it is not such a short flight. By no means long, but long enough for the empty centre seat to really make a big difference.
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I expect it might have been because the seat she was sitting in was unable to stay in the upright position. Sometimes the recline buttons get stuck and the seat won't stay upright and therefore it can't have a passenger in it for take off. If they told you the recline was broken, this is most likely what they meant.
Seats have to be upright for takeoff and if the recline is broken, the seat reclines the moment someone sits in the seat and this would be a safety issue during takeoff and landing if people were in the row behind.
Prior to takeoff is an increadably busy time and there is immense pressure on the cabin crew to get everyone seated and bags stowed and for the aircraft to depart on time. The passenger lists are brought on just before the doors close and are at the front.
I expect the priority was to get the aircraft departed on time which is something that passengers want.
To be onset the main crew at the back are not able to remember which seat has a Gold card holder in particularily as there are often 10+ on many flights. Most of them will be trying to give a good service to all the passengers.
We are trying to recognise our Gold card passengers but this recognition is more likely to be from the SCCM coming down to say hello but of course on our short haul flights sometimes there just is not time, although many of us do try to whenever possible.
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(All my opinions are my own personal opinions and I do not speak for or on behalf of British Airways)
Last edited by Littlegirl; Jul 27, 12 at 9:30 am..
