Are 1Ks the Worst Gate Lice? [Merged Threads]
Mar 27, 2008, 12:39 pm
#76
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: ORD
Programs: UA Plat, HH Gold, MR Gold
Posts: 164
I stay close to the boarding door if I have upgraded (and thus get to use the red carpet). Otherwise I can never get up to the boarding lanes.
Picture gates C29-C32 at ORD. If you're not close to the door and they start boarding, it's an endless stream of "excuse me" and getting evil looks. Just not worth fighting your way through the crowd.
Picture gates C29-C32 at ORD. If you're not close to the door and they start boarding, it's an endless stream of "excuse me" and getting evil looks. Just not worth fighting your way through the crowd.
Mar 27, 2008, 12:45 pm
#77
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: New England, USA
Posts: 686
Perfect!
Gate Lice: What a perfect description! Though I have my 'credentials' I can't help but agree with the image of the typical too-frequent flyer: bluetooth, gold boarding pass, belly-over-belt, over-stuffed Tumi briefcase, Dell laptop, Bose headphones, bored expression, smug 'the-rules-you-follow-don't-apply-to-me' attitude along with a general indifference towards other passengers and staff.
What the great unwashed don't realize is the MP 'caste system' was created to remind all non-elites that their presence on board is tolerated but the airline is for the pleasure and convenience of their [elite card-holder] betters and don't forget it.
What the great unwashed don't realize is the MP 'caste system' was created to remind all non-elites that their presence on board is tolerated but the airline is for the pleasure and convenience of their [elite card-holder] betters and don't forget it.
Mar 27, 2008, 1:02 pm
#78
Original Member, Ambassador: External Miles and Points Resources
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Digital Nomad Wandering the Earth - Currently in LIMA, PERU
Posts: 58,585
Gate Lice: What a perfect description! Though I have my 'credentials' I can't help but agree with the image of the typical too-frequent flyer: bluetooth, gold boarding pass, belly-over-belt, over-stuffed Tumi briefcase, Dell laptop, Bose headphones, bored expression, smug 'the-rules-you-follow-don't-apply-to-me' attitude along with a general indifference towards other passengers and staff.
What the great unwashed don't realize is the MP 'caste system' was created to remind all non-elites that their presence on board is tolerated but the airline is for the pleasure and convenience of their [elite card-holder] betters and don't forget it.
What the great unwashed don't realize is the MP 'caste system' was created to remind all non-elites that their presence on board is tolerated but the airline is for the pleasure and convenience of their [elite card-holder] betters and don't forget it.
The proper term for what you describe is 'status monkey.'
Mar 27, 2008, 1:33 pm
#79
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: IAD, DCA
Programs: UA-Plat, Marriott-Plat, AAI, AAII
Posts: 3,758
To be more precise it is now a three caste system with 1-3ps in the middle just above the untouchables.
Mar 27, 2008, 2:10 pm
#80
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: gggrrrovvveee (ORD)
Programs: UA Pt, Marriott Ti, Hertz PC
Posts: 6,091
Lower class: GM
Lower-middle class: 3P
Middle-middle class: 2P
Upper-middle class: 1P
Lower-upper class: 1K
Upper-upper class: GS
Mar 27, 2008, 2:49 pm
#81
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: IAD, DCA
Programs: UA-Plat, Marriott-Plat, AAI, AAII
Posts: 3,758
Something along those lines except that, now as I rethink the situation, I might put 3p in upper-lower class
Mar 27, 2008, 2:57 pm
#82
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Newport Beach, California, USA
Posts: 36,062
Upper class: 1K, GS
Lower class: Everyone else
If you doubt that, try getting anything as a 1P.
Mar 27, 2008, 3:31 pm
#83
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: NYC (formerly BOS/DCA)
Programs: UA 1K, IC RA
Posts: 60,745
Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8700/4.1.0 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/102 UP.Link/6.3.0.0.0)
I for one don't mind being in the upper class
.
I for one don't mind being in the upper class
.
Mar 27, 2008, 3:39 pm
#84
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Orange County, CA
Programs: UA 2MM Lifetime Plat, Marriott Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 1,681
Mar 27, 2008, 4:51 pm
#85
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: New England, USA
Posts: 686
1p
Truth be told, I've been given operational upgrades internationally several times as a 1P. I'm not sure the benefits offered 1k's are worth earning an extra 50k.
Mar 27, 2008, 5:02 pm
#86
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: NYC (formerly BOS/DCA)
Programs: UA 1K, IC RA
Posts: 60,745
Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8700/4.1.0 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/102 UP.Link/6.3.0.0.0)
pdx, same here. I got more op-ups as 1P than I have at 1K. Go figure.
pdx, same here. I got more op-ups as 1P than I have at 1K. Go figure.
Mar 27, 2008, 5:50 pm
#87
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: LAX and LHR. UA lifetime Gold 1.9MM 1K , DL Gold Medallion, HHonors Gold, Marriott Gold, Avis President's Club
Posts: 3,592
It's nothing to do with being upper class or having your ego stroked. It has nothing to do with gate lice, just practicalities.
I always travel in 1B domestically, so that I don't have anyone reclining into my face, have adequate footroom, and an aisle seat. However, row 1 on A319/A320/B737/B757 has (a) no under-the-seat-in-front-of-you storage space and (b) no overhead storage space, so I always try to be first on in order to stow my carry-on overhead either above 1CD or 2AB.
If UA wouldn't reserve the overhead storage space above 1AB for oxygen and other equipment, I'd be very happy to stand back. But they won't. So I won't.
I always travel in 1B domestically, so that I don't have anyone reclining into my face, have adequate footroom, and an aisle seat. However, row 1 on A319/A320/B737/B757 has (a) no under-the-seat-in-front-of-you storage space and (b) no overhead storage space, so I always try to be first on in order to stow my carry-on overhead either above 1CD or 2AB.
If UA wouldn't reserve the overhead storage space above 1AB for oxygen and other equipment, I'd be very happy to stand back. But they won't. So I won't.
Mar 27, 2008, 6:12 pm
#88
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
I think some of "us" forget what the boarding process was like before the red carpet, and how GAs ignored their own announcements to board GS, F, and 1K first. The red carpet process is in a GA's face and harder for a GA to ignore. I earned a shot at the overhead space. If you don't want it, good, more for me.
Mar 27, 2008, 6:16 pm
#89
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
I never let it get to that point ... I just open the red carpet lane.
Mar 27, 2008, 6:17 pm
#90
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: MBS/FNT/LAN
Programs: UA 1K, HH Gold, Mariott Gold
Posts: 9,630
No class: No MP account
Low Class: GM
Lower class: GM w/EPA
Lower-middle class: 3P
Middle-middle class: 2P
Upper-middle class: 1P
Lower-upper class: 1K
Upper-upper class: GS
