Connections waiting for tourists, not for Plats
#31
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: KUO
Programs: HH Diam, AY/AX/KQ/IHG/VISA Plat, SK/Bonvoy/Melia/Strawberry Gold, Radisson Prem, PP Prest
Posts: 2,266
Certain airlines will give special treatment to Royals and Politicians but not their other premium customers!
However I think the point that some are missing is the difference between expectation/right and going the extra mile when it is possible. Every situation is different and the airline will have to make a judgement based on both the person and more importantly the likely operational cost of delaying the plane
However I think the point that some are missing is the difference between expectation/right and going the extra mile when it is possible. Every situation is different and the airline will have to make a judgement based on both the person and more importantly the likely operational cost of delaying the plane
And as the UK represents best the societies with lacking or non-existent social class hierarchy, this must be reflected well in the national carrier (fare structure, check-in, lounge, boarding) policies as well - sarcasm alert! All in all, I like the LH practices the best - all is done that is possible to ensure the smooth travel of the HON (& FIRST) and SEN passengers, regarding delays or irrops.
Last edited by TTL; Jun 26, 2017 at 4:40 am Reason: Thoughts keep on crawling in slowly...
#32
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: UK
Programs: Etihad Gold, Qatar Gold, flying Blue, Falcon, Lufthansa, Eva
Posts: 1,432
Given the potential cost to the airline of delaying a departure then I do not think that, much as it would be nice, we should not expect a plane to be held and it is not just the passenger it is the luggage as well in many cases.
A year or so ago I was met off a late arriving Qatar flight at Doha and rushed by a Qatar ground staff member to the departure gate for the connection but I would not have expected them to delay the departure for me but was grateful for the personalised service to me as a gold card holder/business class user
A year or so ago I was met off a late arriving Qatar flight at Doha and rushed by a Qatar ground staff member to the departure gate for the connection but I would not have expected them to delay the departure for me but was grateful for the personalised service to me as a gold card holder/business class user
#33
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: KUO
Programs: HH Diam, AY/AX/KQ/IHG/VISA Plat, SK/Bonvoy/Melia/Strawberry Gold, Radisson Prem, PP Prest
Posts: 2,266
Given the potential cost to the airline of delaying a departure then I do not think that, much as it would be nice, we should not expect a plane to be held and it is not just the passenger it is the luggage as well in many cases.
A year or so ago I was met off a late arriving Qatar flight at Doha and rushed by a Qatar ground staff member to the departure gate for the connection but I would not have expected them to delay the departure for me but was grateful for the personalised service to me as a gold card holder/business class user
A year or so ago I was met off a late arriving Qatar flight at Doha and rushed by a Qatar ground staff member to the departure gate for the connection but I would not have expected them to delay the departure for me but was grateful for the personalised service to me as a gold card holder/business class user
#34
Join Date: Apr 2017
Programs: AY + Platinum, Flying Blue Silver
Posts: 11
A year or so ago I was met off a late arriving Qatar flight at Doha and rushed by a Qatar ground staff member to the departure gate for the connection but I would not have expected them to delay the departure for me but was grateful for the personalised service to me as a gold card holder/business class user
#35
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: try to stay home
Programs: AY, M&M, BAEC ...and don t care of status anymore
Posts: 2,050
I remember cabin crew and pilot conversation from my lately, unfortunate AY519 flight (HEL-KUO, departure time 23:40, E90 in jetbridge nowadays). Sitting on 2C with wheelie under the seat in front of me, it was easy to hear and there was chatter: "A family is arriving from ZRH - we must wait!". The family boarded the plane 23:57. "Three people are arriving from LHR, oh that has just made it to jetbridge (23:49) - too bothersome, lets close the door!". And off we went. The next connection to KUO was juhannusaatto 24.06.2017 afternoon.
As this plane was overnighting in KUO and with no rush to next assignment, why in the heck they could not wait for rest of the passengers? Two happened to be my colleagues, one with Plat and another with Gold card. Decisions seem to be very subjective and on the shoulder of employees with very thin or nonexistent brass stripes.
As this plane was overnighting in KUO and with no rush to next assignment, why in the heck they could not wait for rest of the passengers? Two happened to be my colleagues, one with Plat and another with Gold card. Decisions seem to be very subjective and on the shoulder of employees with very thin or nonexistent brass stripes.
#36
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: HEL
Programs: lots of shiny metal cards
Posts: 14,114
Yes, going illegal (if this is the correct expression) of course is a big no-no, but I find it hard to imagine that AY crews would have their shifts so closely shaven that 10-15 minutes would make the difference.
#37
Join Date: May 2014
Location: HEL
Programs: AY+Plat, ALL Plat, Scandic L2
Posts: 3,625
Getting on a side topic, but anyone has an idea how Finnair staffs the non-HEL services, such as next winter's flights between Western Europe and Lapland? As far as I understand the schedule, the plane goes from HEL to KTT/IVL then to Europe, then back to Lapland and finally to HEL. But that seems much too long for one single crew shift?
#38
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: try to stay home
Programs: AY, M&M, BAEC ...and don t care of status anymore
Posts: 2,050
As you can t imagine that they have such tight schedules, I can t imagine that a pilot will took off instead of waiting another 15 minutes or so if there is no good reason to do so. Since he is producing extra costs to the airline I m sure somebody will review this action, and can course some trouble for the person in charge, if there is no good reason.