Originally Posted by
s0ssos
As I read through the forums, I don't think I am alone in my sense of entitlement.
I guess people by now are asking what is the point. Maybe this is obvious to everybody already, the fact people want to get elite status so they can feel better than everybody else stuck in that "cattle class". Even though they sit in cattle class themselves as well, they get to board early, choose "premium" economy seats, check-in free luggage, wait in the "first-class" line.
I feel the real difference is that there isn't (as far as I know) an etiquette class for how to behave when you have status. And thus there is a wide range of behaviors. For upper-class families, the parents have taught their kids (or nannies or butler) how to behave. Not to flaunt their wealth. To be discreet. To be polite, always smile. What words to choose to not be thought of as condescending.
But (and I have been guilty of this myself) I still believe people should manners, etiquette, and be polite to all people, not look down at those lowly people with no status who fly in Y.
Elite status isn't the cause of your feelings, that's your personal psyche, ego, pride, etc. Describing coach passengers as "lowly people" shows that.
I don't think most people are after elite status in order to "feel better than everybody else stuck in that "cattle class"", though some do apparently. If someone needs to have special status with an airline in order to boost their feelings of self-worth, then they have some internal issues that they need to work on. Anyone who acts like they are better than others, for whatever reason - airline status or anything else - is to be pittied.
I used to have status in 2 airlines (all earned BIS) before work assignments reduced my travel. Never once did I feel or think any differently because of it. Certainly I didn't seek status in order to feel better than anyone else. I enjoyed the benefits while I had them, but they are fleeting things. Some elite benefits used to be free to all (checked bag) and no some of them are attainable by simply signing up for a credit card.
I would definitely disagree that "upper class" people are more likely to be polite, kind, and not flaunt their wealth.