canadiancow

On connecting itineraries, why would I change out of the pajamas just to change back into them after a 1 hour lounge visit? The airlines offer pajamas in F, so it definitely shouldn't surprise them when passengers choose to wear pajamas in F.

Like AC.

codfather

I don't think it was appropriate for the FA to behave in this manner (as many others have noted above), but the OP should have spoken up sooner.

Whenever I am in J, I frequently get looks as if I don't belong because I am a 20-year old with somewhat of a babyface No FAs have ever been that rude to me (yet), but my reaction, if they did, would be very standoffish to say the least.

yyckerr

You catch more flies with honey.

Being standoffish should be a second or third reaction when the honey doesn’t stick.

InTheAirGuy

And as I remember it, he took it into a lounge after a dare on this board.

codfather

I should have edited my post immediately after I sent it! Neglected to add this.

Yes, I would only get standoffish if s/he proceeded to ignore me after my initial requests to let me through as a J passenger.

NWplatinum

Thats fine. The guy didn’t change on the 10 hour flight. He was seated across on the other aisle. He wore the suit all the way to London, and then got off with it on. I suppose he didn’t want to change? I don’t know... That’s why the incident stood out. I should’ve been more clear.

Davvidd

I have seen passengers in economy wearing suits for 10 hours or more.

Dorian

This was the trial run @ home.

DrunkCargo

This would be my question.

First mistake: Holding back J pax
Race, apparent gender, clothing, socioeconomic stature, all irrelevant. If the blocking FA failed to block PY or released PY too soon, the issue isn't with the ignorant pax edging to deplane, the issue is with the FA on the G/K side: Person in galley implies entitlement to deplane. I expect this from an airline who is forcing everyone to disembark from a single hole, door 2L. On some types, blocking PY might be more difficult because J/PY boundary doesn't coincide with a galley, however on a 789 this mitigating excuse doesn't exist. This alone would not anger me, despite being denied actual entitlement to deplane.

Second mistake: Being rude to any customer about anything other than an immediate safety or security concern
No words other than "Merci de voler avec Air Canada" or "感谢您乘坐加拿大航空" should be spoken, unless something more gracious can be conjured up. This second mistake would earn a retort of equal verbal escalation, and apparently from pax stuck behind the OP as well. OP did say she was discreet about the correction, which is way more patience than I would have been.

I didn't read the FT post as venting; more asking for advice on further escalation or leaving it alone. As I'm somewhat known for not leaving things alone, I'd recommend leaving this one alone.

I am a bit curious how OP knew she was the only "young(ish) female looking pax" in J... when I sit in J, being superiorly elite, I'm so self-absorbed I generally never notice other pax unless they make themselves noticeable. Maybe those who feel judged are projecting? Also I apologize in advance if "she" isn't the correct pronoun... "female looking" is ambiguous.

Sean Peever

Well gosh, I didn't know we were name dropping! My bad. My yellow shoes are arc'teryx, my cap is a custom made flexfit and my shorts are icebreaker. :P

But fun aside, fair post.

MaxFlying

I haven't read the whole thread. But, I would say look at such interactions through a systemic lens as discourses that frame individual actions, often historically rooted, are the ones that matter and merit a response. Intersectionality is also important.

theOtherHolmes

I generally get to see everyone in the cabin when I stand up to queue. And I observe out of boredom.

Now that I think about it, was it PY on the other side of the galley? Perhaps not. I thought they were. I didn’t make note of them until I was in the galley waiting for my turn.

Some folks questioned why there were other people holding up the queue behind me and said that makes my story less plausible. Of course there were other pax behind me! I was in a queue and there were other J pax behind me in the very same queue who were equally as confused as to why I was stopped by the FA.

I honestly couldn’t have made this up.

I wasn’t venting. It’s an interesting story I occasionally tell. Note that I didn’t object to being blocked right away. Note that I didn’t complain officially after. I really don’t get worked up about it, but thought here would be a place to tell this bemusing tale.

As to those who implied or outright expressed that I ought to dress the part, act the part, or speak the part, whatever. Nah. I have enough self esteem and self respect — that grooming up for flying isn’t what I care for. I happen to have a job that deals with way too many elites (myself included), that I don’t particularly enjoy acting elite.

The one thing I didn’t like about the FA was her rude attitude, not that she didn’t “respect” me or anything, but that she had the guts to lecture me, mistaking me for someone who has a questionable morale. I happen to be a very easy going and polite person, thank you very much.

Gaikhao

I understand and personally agree with you, but I trust you understand that we must deal with reality and that just isn't the case outside of certain regions. For example, we still have airlines with discriminatory labour practices. May I remind you that FT members still complain about about the age, size and beauty of FAs, so we see a double standard here.

Much of what we do is influenced by our perceptions. Sometimes we start with a disadvantage in life and adjust. For example, taller and more physically attractive people tend to be given better treatment in social interactions. It is not fair, but is our social reality. Many instinctively compensate for these features, either through clothing or cosmetics or accoutrements and how they carry themselves. You perceive yourself one way, and a fatigued, perhaps socially unaware FA perceived you in a different manner. One can ''blame" the FA, and initiate the should have, could have argument, but, this suggests that one lost control of the situation. The FA may not be able to meet your requirement of advanced sentient ability.

I have read all the comments about pajamas, ball caps, gym clothes etc. This seems to be a very North American behaviour, and is unusual elsewhere. Yes, people can dress as they wish, but they are delusional if they believe that their expectation of being treated consistently as high end customers will be met. It defies human behaviour and is not going to happen unless they are physically attractive and have a seductive smile. The academic studies are there and one can argue the issue sideways until Fort William FC wins a cup, but the reality is that people will be influenced by physical appearance.

This was a flight to PVG. As a practice, Asians (from Asia) in J dress respectively when flying in premium classes. Only westerners dress in their sandals, camping gear etc. Show up at the immigration kiosk looking like that and you will be closely scrutinized. That is reality. Westerners don't want to hear about this, but this is how it works. Not everyone in the world accepts this western driven shaving off of attire standards and there will sometimes be "misunderstandings". One will have sympathy on a western forum, but try this on Wechat, Pantip, Weibo etc. and I expect that the OP would be mercilessly shredded.

theOtherHolmes

A good friend of mine who’s from China and born with, dare I say, a diamond spoon, never dressed up for F cabin. Of course, half of the time it’s his own (or his dad’s) plane.

Whenever I see people who dress to the nines to fly, I’m reminded of junior associates in my firm who just ignores casual Friday’s and wears a three piece every day. Yup I was that person eight years ago. Nowadays I don’t need to wear a suit to prove myself anymore. Hooray!

tcook052

This thread stopped being useful so will be closure to it.

tcook052
AC forum moderator