Please don't page me at the gate to ...
Sep 18, 2014, 11:10 pm
#1
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Over the Bay Bridge, CA
Programs: Jumbo mas
Posts: 38,638
Please don't page me at the gate to ...
... see if I'll switch seats in F to accommodate an upgraded family that wants to sit closer together.
I was probably one of four or fewer paid fares for the cabin, based upon the seatmap before UG period started.
(1) In the rare event I'm ever paged at a gate, I think "oh eff, what happened?" It would be different if I were awaiting a seat assignment, UG, etc.
(2) I don't like my name blurted out over a loudspeaker if I can avoid it. This includes professional reasons.
(3) My first flight on the trip was already seat "mix and match" in F because of a similar amount of UGs. Fortunately, no one asked me.
(4) I pick my particular seats of choice for a reason.
(5) I don't mind people politely asking onboard and not being offended if refused. The lady next to me was very nice. The person that didn't get to sit next to her was glaring at me.
But back to 1 and 2, please don't page me for this.
Ok flame away.
I was probably one of four or fewer paid fares for the cabin, based upon the seatmap before UG period started.
(1) In the rare event I'm ever paged at a gate, I think "oh eff, what happened?" It would be different if I were awaiting a seat assignment, UG, etc.
(2) I don't like my name blurted out over a loudspeaker if I can avoid it. This includes professional reasons.
(3) My first flight on the trip was already seat "mix and match" in F because of a similar amount of UGs. Fortunately, no one asked me.
(4) I pick my particular seats of choice for a reason.
(5) I don't mind people politely asking onboard and not being offended if refused. The lady next to me was very nice. The person that didn't get to sit next to her was glaring at me.
But back to 1 and 2, please don't page me for this.
Ok flame away.
Sep 19, 2014, 1:08 am
#4
Join Date: Jul 2007
Programs: UA 1K MM, Alaska MVP Gold 75K, AA PLT
Posts: 1,082
+!
If the "family upgrading together" really wanted to sit together, they would have purchased the seats together, just like you did. When you get something for free...like a first class upgrade, just enjoy the seat and excellent AS service, look at your family member from the next row, and reunite in a couple of hours. It's not the end of the world to sit apart for a little while.
Most importantly, don't ask me to move from row 1 or 2, which I paid for and selected, to row 4, where they may be no divider and no choice of meals. I don't need to be put into a position to politely say no and then feel weird for the rest of the flight, because I was not "accommodating" to your upgrade success.
If the "family upgrading together" really wanted to sit together, they would have purchased the seats together, just like you did. When you get something for free...like a first class upgrade, just enjoy the seat and excellent AS service, look at your family member from the next row, and reunite in a couple of hours. It's not the end of the world to sit apart for a little while.
Most importantly, don't ask me to move from row 1 or 2, which I paid for and selected, to row 4, where they may be no divider and no choice of meals. I don't need to be put into a position to politely say no and then feel weird for the rest of the flight, because I was not "accommodating" to your upgrade success.
Sep 19, 2014, 1:49 am
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: QLA
Programs: SBUX Gold
Posts: 14,507
Another vote for discretion... and that was not discreet.
Reminds me of a story somewhere on the UA forum where a retired Mike Ditka (former coach for the Chicago Bears) flying out of ORD saw on the screen that he had been upgraded. He approached the counter just as the GA was about to make an announcement, making the call for upgraded pax to get their new BPs. Coach Ditka knew what was about to happen, and tried to get the GA's attention. Something along the lines of:
Coach: Excuse me, miss...
GA: Sir, please give me a second, I have to make an announcement.
Coach: I know, but...
GA: I'll be right with you.
Coach: But...
GA: ***PAGING PASSENGER DITKA... MICHAEL DITKA... PLEASE REPORT TO THE GATE COUNTER***
Gate Area: <crickets> ... <stampede>
(the above was a dramatization of events)
Reminds me of a story somewhere on the UA forum where a retired Mike Ditka (former coach for the Chicago Bears) flying out of ORD saw on the screen that he had been upgraded. He approached the counter just as the GA was about to make an announcement, making the call for upgraded pax to get their new BPs. Coach Ditka knew what was about to happen, and tried to get the GA's attention. Something along the lines of:
Coach: Excuse me, miss...
GA: Sir, please give me a second, I have to make an announcement.
Coach: I know, but...
GA: I'll be right with you.
Coach: But...
GA: ***PAGING PASSENGER DITKA... MICHAEL DITKA... PLEASE REPORT TO THE GATE COUNTER***
Gate Area: <crickets> ... <stampede>
(the above was a dramatization of events)
Sep 19, 2014, 7:16 am
#7
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: LON
Programs: AS MVPG, Marriott Titanium, UA Silver
Posts: 1,350
+!
If the "family upgrading together" really wanted to sit together, they would have purchased the seats together, just like you did. When you get something for free...like a first class upgrade, just enjoy the seat and excellent AS service, look at your family member from the next row, and reunite in a couple of hours. It's not the end of the world to sit apart for a little while.
Most importantly, don't ask me to move from row 1 or 2, which I paid for and selected, to row 4, where they may be no divider and no choice of meals. I don't need to be put into a position to politely say no and then feel weird for the rest of the flight, because I was not "accommodating" to your upgrade success.
If the "family upgrading together" really wanted to sit together, they would have purchased the seats together, just like you did. When you get something for free...like a first class upgrade, just enjoy the seat and excellent AS service, look at your family member from the next row, and reunite in a couple of hours. It's not the end of the world to sit apart for a little while.
Most importantly, don't ask me to move from row 1 or 2, which I paid for and selected, to row 4, where they may be no divider and no choice of meals. I don't need to be put into a position to politely say no and then feel weird for the rest of the flight, because I was not "accommodating" to your upgrade success.
Sep 19, 2014, 9:07 am
#10
Join Date: Jun 2010
Programs: AS
Posts: 51
Not to be the contrarian, but I'd much rather have a AS staff person make this request of me (either the FA or the gate agent) as opposed to another passenger. It's a lot easier to explain why I don't want to move to an employee as opposed to a high strung passenger who is emotionally invested in where they site.
My only concern about gate announcements is that I'm probably not going to be at the gate much in advance of when it's time to board, so I'm not sure how effective of a communication strategy this even is.
My only concern about gate announcements is that I'm probably not going to be at the gate much in advance of when it's time to board, so I'm not sure how effective of a communication strategy this even is.
Sep 19, 2014, 9:17 am
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SEA, but up and down the coast a lot
Programs: Oceanic Airlines Gold Elite
Posts: 20,392
+!
If the "family upgrading together" really wanted to sit together, they would have purchased the seats together, just like you did. When you get something for free...like a first class upgrade, just enjoy the seat and excellent AS service, look at your family member from the next row, and reunite in a couple of hours. It's not the end of the world to sit apart for a little while.
Most importantly, don't ask me to move from row 1 or 2, which I paid for and selected, to row 4, where they may be no divider and no choice of meals. I don't need to be put into a position to politely say no and then feel weird for the rest of the flight, because I was not "accommodating" to your upgrade success.
If the "family upgrading together" really wanted to sit together, they would have purchased the seats together, just like you did. When you get something for free...like a first class upgrade, just enjoy the seat and excellent AS service, look at your family member from the next row, and reunite in a couple of hours. It's not the end of the world to sit apart for a little while.
Most importantly, don't ask me to move from row 1 or 2, which I paid for and selected, to row 4, where they may be no divider and no choice of meals. I don't need to be put into a position to politely say no and then feel weird for the rest of the flight, because I was not "accommodating" to your upgrade success.
Sep 19, 2014, 9:22 am
#12
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: GEG
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Platinum, Hilton Diamond, Lifetime SkyClub, AS MVP
Posts: 2,410
I don't have a problem with AS having a policy (which I don't think they do) of not asking folks to move around in the F cabin to take care of those being upgraded at the last minute.
Either take the upgrade(s) with the seats that are available or keep your seats in coach.
Sep 19, 2014, 9:27 am
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Over the Bay Bridge, CA
Programs: Jumbo mas
Posts: 38,638
Not to be the contrarian, but I'd much rather have a AS staff person make this request of me (either the FA or the gate agent) as opposed to another passenger. It's a lot easier to explain why I don't want to move to an employee as opposed to a high strung passenger who is emotionally invested in where they site.
My only concern about gate announcements is that I'm probably not going to be at the gate much in advance of when it's time to board, so I'm not sure how effective of a communication strategy this even is.
My only concern about gate announcements is that I'm probably not going to be at the gate much in advance of when it's time to board, so I'm not sure how effective of a communication strategy this even is.
An AS staff person asking me isn't the issue. An AS staff person paging me on a loudspeaker is.
And, I don't need to explain why I don't want to move. I'm not a high strung passenger. I'll most likely switch to any aisle in rows 1 through 3. I will not switch to an AS window, where I'll be trapped. I also want a decent shot at my meal choice.
Sep 19, 2014, 9:28 am
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Bay Area, CA
Programs: UA Plat 2MM; AS MVP Gold 75K
Posts: 35,068
I think the reason for it may be a factor. A couple or family sitting together, let's work it out on the plane.
I was paged a couple months ago for a disability pax to swap (he needed the other side aisle because of an injured leg, and they wanted to preboard him into the ideal seat (mine)).
No problem with the swap and the page there, that's more out of necessity, IMO.
I was paged a couple months ago for a disability pax to swap (he needed the other side aisle because of an injured leg, and they wanted to preboard him into the ideal seat (mine)).
No problem with the swap and the page there, that's more out of necessity, IMO.
Sep 19, 2014, 9:41 am
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Over the Bay Bridge, CA
Programs: Jumbo mas
Posts: 38,638
I think the reason for it may be a factor. A couple or family sitting together, let's work it out on the plane.
I was paged a couple months ago for a disability pax to swap (he needed the other side aisle because of an injured leg, and they wanted to preboard him into the ideal seat (mine)).
No problem with the swap and the page there, that's more out of necessity, IMO.
I was paged a couple months ago for a disability pax to swap (he needed the other side aisle because of an injured leg, and they wanted to preboard him into the ideal seat (mine)).
No problem with the swap and the page there, that's more out of necessity, IMO.