Elites behaving badly - United Club Edition
Nov 4, 2011, 7:48 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: New York
Programs: UA 1K, *Gold, HH Diamond, Priority Club Platinum, IC Plat Ambassador, Delta Skymiles
Posts: 162
Elites behaving badly - United Club Edition
There is something about the lounge that brings out some really nasty behavior in our mostly genteel group of elite members. Is it the wood paneling? The free muffins? Or the general sense of superiority that comes with entering frosted-glass doors? Whatever it is, let's learn from their mistakes and not be that jackass that we all talk about in forums.
Story #1:
I was sitting across the United Club in Terminal 7 at LAX today at 4:30am patiently waiting for the club to open at 5:00am, where it's posted clearly in front of the club. Along comes 2 guys at 4:40am walking towards the door and guffaw like frat boys when the door doesn't open. Then, they peep into the glass doors and rap the glass. When that doesn't work, they go to buzz the bell, long ones. You know, like how the delivery guy buzzes when you don't get to the door fast enough? They alternate between door rapping and buzzing. Then, when all else fails, they actually YANK THE GLASS DOORS OPEN and charge in. I was hit with the Bystander Effect, doing nothing and just watching in horror across the hall. But then a minute later, I felt a delightful sense of schadenfreud when the agent promptly kicked the 2 guys out and made them wait outside in shame until the club opened
Moral of the story: Always read the club hours posted in front of the club
Story #2:
Shortly after I entered the club at 5:00am, a return to the attendant for a wi-fi card. The attendant is talking to a tall, broard, sweatered, nordic looking guy with a deep, scary voice and intimidating accent. "So flying 100,000 miles a year means nothing anymore?!??!" "Sir, you're flying domestic which doesn't allow for *A lounge privileges" "100,000 miles! It means nothing apparently. This is ridiculous! 100,000!!" Buddy, we get it, you flew 100K miles. But still no dice. Read the rules.
Moral of the story: Read the rules of the lounge. Or join flyertalk. That'll put your 100,000 miles a year in check
Please share your stories of how your fellow elites behave badly!
Story #1:
I was sitting across the United Club in Terminal 7 at LAX today at 4:30am patiently waiting for the club to open at 5:00am, where it's posted clearly in front of the club. Along comes 2 guys at 4:40am walking towards the door and guffaw like frat boys when the door doesn't open. Then, they peep into the glass doors and rap the glass. When that doesn't work, they go to buzz the bell, long ones. You know, like how the delivery guy buzzes when you don't get to the door fast enough? They alternate between door rapping and buzzing. Then, when all else fails, they actually YANK THE GLASS DOORS OPEN and charge in. I was hit with the Bystander Effect, doing nothing and just watching in horror across the hall. But then a minute later, I felt a delightful sense of schadenfreud when the agent promptly kicked the 2 guys out and made them wait outside in shame until the club opened
Moral of the story: Always read the club hours posted in front of the club
Story #2:
Shortly after I entered the club at 5:00am, a return to the attendant for a wi-fi card. The attendant is talking to a tall, broard, sweatered, nordic looking guy with a deep, scary voice and intimidating accent. "So flying 100,000 miles a year means nothing anymore?!??!" "Sir, you're flying domestic which doesn't allow for *A lounge privileges" "100,000 miles! It means nothing apparently. This is ridiculous! 100,000!!" Buddy, we get it, you flew 100K miles. But still no dice. Read the rules.
Moral of the story: Read the rules of the lounge. Or join flyertalk. That'll put your 100,000 miles a year in check
Please share your stories of how your fellow elites behave badly!
Nov 4, 2011, 9:22 am
#3
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Wilmington, NC
Posts: 504
Nov 4, 2011, 9:26 am
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: SJC, SFO, YYC
Programs: AA-EXP, AA-0.41MM, UA-Gold, Ex UA-1K (2006 thru 2015), PMUA-0.95MM, COUA-1.5MM-lite, AF-Silver
Posts: 13,437
Very annoying as I often have just 10 minutes to spare, and these yahoos waste my time while I have to wait for the drama to play out.
Suggestion: have a separate line for UC members.
Nov 4, 2011, 11:11 am
#5
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: LAX
Programs: AAdvantage EXPLAT, Hilton Diamond, SPG/Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum, Citi Exec MC, Amex Plat
Posts: 1,443
There is something about the lounge that brings out some really nasty behavior in our mostly genteel group of elite members. Is it the wood paneling? The free muffins? Or the general sense of superiority that comes with entering frosted-glass doors? Whatever it is, let's learn from their mistakes and not be that jackass that we all talk about in forums.
Story #1:
I was sitting across the United Club in Terminal 7 at LAX today at 4:30am patiently waiting for the club to open at 5:00am, where it's posted clearly in front of the club. Along comes 2 guys at 4:40am walking towards the door and guffaw like frat boys when the door doesn't open. Then, they peep into the glass doors and rap the glass. When that doesn't work, they go to buzz the bell, long ones. You know, like how the delivery guy buzzes when you don't get to the door fast enough? They alternate between door rapping and buzzing. Then, when all else fails, they actually YANK THE GLASS DOORS OPEN and charge in. I was hit with the Bystander Effect, doing nothing and just watching in horror across the hall. But then a minute later, I felt a delightful sense of schadenfreud when the agent promptly kicked the 2 guys out and made them wait outside in shame until the club opened
Moral of the story: Always read the club hours posted in front of the club
Story #2:
Shortly after I entered the club at 5:00am, a return to the attendant for a wi-fi card. The attendant is talking to a tall, broard, sweatered, nordic looking guy with a deep, scary voice and intimidating accent. "So flying 100,000 miles a year means nothing anymore?!??!" "Sir, you're flying domestic which doesn't allow for *A lounge privileges" "100,000 miles! It means nothing apparently. This is ridiculous! 100,000!!" Buddy, we get it, you flew 100K miles. But still no dice. Read the rules.
Moral of the story: Read the rules of the lounge. Or join flyertalk. That'll put your 100,000 miles a year in check
Please share your stories of how your fellow elites behave badly!
Story #1:
I was sitting across the United Club in Terminal 7 at LAX today at 4:30am patiently waiting for the club to open at 5:00am, where it's posted clearly in front of the club. Along comes 2 guys at 4:40am walking towards the door and guffaw like frat boys when the door doesn't open. Then, they peep into the glass doors and rap the glass. When that doesn't work, they go to buzz the bell, long ones. You know, like how the delivery guy buzzes when you don't get to the door fast enough? They alternate between door rapping and buzzing. Then, when all else fails, they actually YANK THE GLASS DOORS OPEN and charge in. I was hit with the Bystander Effect, doing nothing and just watching in horror across the hall. But then a minute later, I felt a delightful sense of schadenfreud when the agent promptly kicked the 2 guys out and made them wait outside in shame until the club opened
Moral of the story: Always read the club hours posted in front of the club
Story #2:
Shortly after I entered the club at 5:00am, a return to the attendant for a wi-fi card. The attendant is talking to a tall, broard, sweatered, nordic looking guy with a deep, scary voice and intimidating accent. "So flying 100,000 miles a year means nothing anymore?!??!" "Sir, you're flying domestic which doesn't allow for *A lounge privileges" "100,000 miles! It means nothing apparently. This is ridiculous! 100,000!!" Buddy, we get it, you flew 100K miles. But still no dice. Read the rules.
Moral of the story: Read the rules of the lounge. Or join flyertalk. That'll put your 100,000 miles a year in check
Please share your stories of how your fellow elites behave badly!
In the 100K mile case, UA could do better in communicating the lounge rules. The question is, why are GS members not given complimentary memberships? Furthermore, full fare domestic F pax (F,A,XF only) should receive lounge access with their tickets! If someone is willing to actually pay for F fares, they outta get lounge access thrown in with the ticket!
Nov 4, 2011, 11:51 am
#7
Join Date: Mar 2011
Programs: UA 1K, FPC Premier
Posts: 293
Come on, you're not the only GS/1K around, you know. And just because you're one doesn't mean you have to be an ... about it!
Nov 4, 2011, 1:11 pm
#8
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: CHI
Programs: UA 1K, MR Titanium, IHG Gold, National Exec
Posts: 3,841
I always get really amused when I see the DYKWIA types: for some strange reason they seem to believe that acting that way will get them somewhere.
Come on, you're not the only GS/1K around, you know. And just because you're one doesn't mean you have to be an ... about it!
Come on, you're not the only GS/1K around, you know. And just because you're one doesn't mean you have to be an ... about it!
Nov 4, 2011, 1:24 pm
#9
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: DFW, ORD, IND
Programs: AMEX PL, Avis First, AA GLD
Posts: 249
Back in August, I was at ORD about to walk into the UC club near my gate. When a guy just walked out of the UC all mad and was cussing in Greek. I thought nothing of it, that is when I walked in and saw a tipped over flower plant. The agent looked at me and started to apologize. I told her it's okay and if she needed help. She said no, but told me what happened when she was checking me in. She tells me that the guy who walked out, was very mad because he was flying in F to some domestic place and was very mad that he couldn't get in. Started to throw a hissy fit, throw the plant, and looked at the gate agent and said, "You going to call the cops?" And that's when he stormed out. Silver lining of this story, the agent let me in for free since I listened to her vent.
Nov 4, 2011, 1:47 pm
#10
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 57,595
Back in August, I was at ORD about to walk into the UC club near my gate. When a guy just walked out of the UC all mad and was cussing in Greek. I thought nothing of it, that is when I walked in and saw a tipped over flower plant. The agent looked at me and started to apologize. I told her it's okay and if she needed help. She said no, but told me what happened when she was checking me in. She tells me that the guy who walked out, was very mad because he was flying in F to some domestic place and was very mad that he couldn't get in. Started to throw a hissy fit, throw the plant, and looked at the gate agent and said, "You going to call the cops?" And that's when he stormed out. Silver lining of this story, the agent let me in for free since I listened to her vent.
Being nice does have its rewards.
Nov 4, 2011, 1:58 pm
#11
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: CHI
Programs: UA 1K, MR Titanium, IHG Gold, National Exec
Posts: 3,841
Nov 4, 2011, 4:34 pm
#12
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: CO hublette
Programs: UA AU MM,HH Diamond,Hyatt Globalist , Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,281
Nov 4, 2011, 5:04 pm
#13
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Boulder, Colorado
Programs: UA 1K (MM), MR Plat Prem, Hertz Pres
Posts: 1,164
Then there are times like this...
I'm sitting in the United Club[tm] in EWR this evening. I am sitting in the carrels to get some work done. For the past hour+ there is a member of the serving staff who has been speaking in a high-pitched voice in Spanish clearly wanting to complain to the other staff member next to her. Out in the open by the food, but loud enough that it travels back into the multiple rows of carrels...!
Strange.
No, I don't feel entitled, but quiet is one of the reasons I pay for access to the Club...
I'm sitting in the United Club[tm] in EWR this evening. I am sitting in the carrels to get some work done. For the past hour+ there is a member of the serving staff who has been speaking in a high-pitched voice in Spanish clearly wanting to complain to the other staff member next to her. Out in the open by the food, but loud enough that it travels back into the multiple rows of carrels...!
Strange.
No, I don't feel entitled, but quiet is one of the reasons I pay for access to the Club...
Nov 4, 2011, 5:27 pm
#15
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: DFW, ORD, IND
Programs: AMEX PL, Avis First, AA GLD
Posts: 249