DYKWIA Tales for 2018 on AA
Jun 14, 2018, 2:26 pm
#166
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: SNA
Programs: AA EXP, UA 1K (until it expires then never again), *wood Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 9,239
Boarded AA100 (JFK-LHR) yesterday, and most of the front J cabin on the 777-300 was taken.
I start to get comfortable in 3J, when the lady in 3G stares at me. I'm dressed ultra-casual for the overnight hop, and eventually sit down. 3G pops her head round again, and smiles. I smile back, being polite, but she takes this as a sign that I want to have a conversation with her.
She tells me she has a bad left leg, and thought she had picked 3D so she could put her leg in a more comfortable position. She tells me she would be more comfortable in my seat, and asks if I would switch. Now, after 4 days of solid flying (23 sectors), I'm in no mood to move, and tell her No thanks. She says'Don't worry, I wouldn't switch either if it was my seat'. What a charmer!
Fast forward to the end of boarding, and 3A is empty. 3G calls a Flight Attendant over, and says 'My right leg is very uncomfortable due to an operation. Could I move to 3A?'. Before she can answer, 3A boards, and 3G asks 'Could you see if she will switch?'. Needless to say everyone stayed put!
It get's better.
We land early, but due to a lack of available jetbridge at Terminal 3, we park up on a taxi way for about 15mins. 3G gets very anxious, and keeps saying 'I have a connecting flight. I'm going to be late. This is ridiculous'. I'm bored, so I continue listening to her diatribe.
The Head FA makes an announcement prior to us parking up, to ask passengers to let those with connections disembark first. Of course nobody listens, but 3G shouts 'I have a connection. I need to get off first'. However, I too have a connecting flight, and go ahead of her.
She tries to chastise me, but grins and says 'It doesn't matter. I have the AA 5 Star Service. They'll meet me at the plane and I'll be at Terminal 5 before you because they escort me. I take this flight every month'. I ask her what the service is, and when she starts explaining, I say 'Oh, it's similar to CK, but you actually pay for it'.
We disembark, and her escort is indeed at the door. He tells 3G that he will take over to Terminal 5 by bus.
A few feet ahead of the escort though, is a CK sign with my name on it. I smile, and ask loudly 'Will you be taking me to Terminal 5?' The guy responds, 'Yes of course MrMsm2000uk. I have a car downstairs for you'.
I turn to 3G, tell her to enjoy her bus ride, and walk off
Oddly, her legs seemed perfectly fine on rushing off the plane!
M
I start to get comfortable in 3J, when the lady in 3G stares at me. I'm dressed ultra-casual for the overnight hop, and eventually sit down. 3G pops her head round again, and smiles. I smile back, being polite, but she takes this as a sign that I want to have a conversation with her.
She tells me she has a bad left leg, and thought she had picked 3D so she could put her leg in a more comfortable position. She tells me she would be more comfortable in my seat, and asks if I would switch. Now, after 4 days of solid flying (23 sectors), I'm in no mood to move, and tell her No thanks. She says'Don't worry, I wouldn't switch either if it was my seat'. What a charmer!
Fast forward to the end of boarding, and 3A is empty. 3G calls a Flight Attendant over, and says 'My right leg is very uncomfortable due to an operation. Could I move to 3A?'. Before she can answer, 3A boards, and 3G asks 'Could you see if she will switch?'. Needless to say everyone stayed put!
It get's better.
We land early, but due to a lack of available jetbridge at Terminal 3, we park up on a taxi way for about 15mins. 3G gets very anxious, and keeps saying 'I have a connecting flight. I'm going to be late. This is ridiculous'. I'm bored, so I continue listening to her diatribe.
The Head FA makes an announcement prior to us parking up, to ask passengers to let those with connections disembark first. Of course nobody listens, but 3G shouts 'I have a connection. I need to get off first'. However, I too have a connecting flight, and go ahead of her.
She tries to chastise me, but grins and says 'It doesn't matter. I have the AA 5 Star Service. They'll meet me at the plane and I'll be at Terminal 5 before you because they escort me. I take this flight every month'. I ask her what the service is, and when she starts explaining, I say 'Oh, it's similar to CK, but you actually pay for it'.
We disembark, and her escort is indeed at the door. He tells 3G that he will take over to Terminal 5 by bus.
A few feet ahead of the escort though, is a CK sign with my name on it. I smile, and ask loudly 'Will you be taking me to Terminal 5?' The guy responds, 'Yes of course MrMsm2000uk. I have a car downstairs for you'.
I turn to 3G, tell her to enjoy her bus ride, and walk off
Oddly, her legs seemed perfectly fine on rushing off the plane!
M
Jun 14, 2018, 7:39 pm
#167
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: SAN
Programs: AA CK, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 839
Back in the 90’s when I was a company grade officer on active duty in the Army, I would often get a complimentary upgrade to F on Delta, flying out of ATL. On several occasions, a senior officer, in uniform would board and upon seeing me in F would hand my his boarding pass in Y and I was forced to relinquish my seat and move to the back. A few weeks ago, now a long retired Lieutenant Colonel, I was killing time in the Marco Polo Lounge at VCE when general officer sat next to me and noticed an old Army unit insignia I had on my backpack. We struck up a conversation and I let him know I was retired from the Army. Later at the gate, when boarding was called, we both boarded together but I took a left turn into J and he turned right into Y. Nothing was said and I was left to wonder how awkward it would have been if I hadn’t mentioned to him that I was a civilian and he had attempted to pull rank on me.
Jun 15, 2018, 5:16 am
#168
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Boston, USA
Programs: AA EXP, TK Elite, HH Gold, SPG/Marriott Gold
Posts: 939
Back in the 90’s when I was a company grade officer on active duty in the Army, I would often get a complimentary upgrade to F on Delta, flying out of ATL. On several occasions, a senior officer, in uniform would board and upon seeing me in F would hand my his boarding pass in Y and I was forced to relinquish my seat and move to the back. A few weeks ago, now a long retired Lieutenant Colonel, I was killing time in the Marco Polo Lounge at VCE when general officer sat next to me and noticed an old Army unit insignia I had on my backpack. We struck up a conversation and I let him know I was retired from the Army. Later at the gate, when boarding was called, we both boarded together but I took a left turn into J and he turned right into Y. Nothing was said and I was left to wonder how awkward it would have been if I hadn’t mentioned to him that I was a civilian and he had attempted to pull rank on me.
like you believe in it and should have offered your J seat :-)
Last edited by flyalways; Jun 15, 2018 at 6:52 am
Jun 15, 2018, 8:01 am
#169
Moderator: Qatar Airways
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: LHR/NCE/MIA
Programs: BAEC GfL & GGL, SQ Gold, Amex Centurion, Mucci des Chevaliers des Bons Mots et Qui Savent Moucher
Posts: 8,949
He had served many active tours, and had many many badges.
He spent the whole time taking photos on the E190 aircraft, and gratefully appreciated it.
M
Jun 15, 2018, 8:35 am
#170
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2004
Location: DFW/DAL
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, AS MVPG, HH Diamond, NCL Platinum Plus, MSC Diamond
Posts: 21,422
For 3 class, perhaps MOH or Navy Cross/DSC/DFC in First.....etc
Last edited by mvoight; Jun 15, 2018 at 9:05 am
Jun 15, 2018, 8:38 am
#171
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
The poster, now retired from a military career, mentioned when he was serving senior officers pulled rank on him and took his upgrade. He did not state he believed military members should be upgraded. (I can understand how someone who never served in uniform might misunderstand the post - it’s about a senior officer pulling rank on a lower grade officer, a military form of DYKWIA.)
Jun 15, 2018, 10:36 am
#172
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: SAN
Programs: AA CK, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 839
Jun 15, 2018, 10:45 am
#173
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: OKA
Programs: AA Gold, UA 1K, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 467
More of a bad behavior post and not a DYKWIA,
I've gotten used to the "I have a connection" types who, when flying into a hub, seem to believe they are the only ones who need to connect and feel the need to try to push their way off a flight. I used to get really irritated at these folks, but now I believe I have perfected the deadpanned "we all have connections" response along with an absolute refusal to yield to their bullying.
However I experienced a new one lately...can't remember where I was flying but a passenger behind me had no carry-on luggage. As soon as we parked at the gate he was up and nearly running to the front of the plane. I got out of my seat to retrieve my bag from the overhead and he glared at me, pretty menacingly. If I were smaller, I'm pretty sure he would have tried to push past me. I asked him if he had a problem and he said "I don't have any bags so I should be able to get off first". A bit more loudly and a bit more angrily than I would have liked, I said, "See all these people seated towards the front? They would like to get off the plane as well. You are not more special than them." It got really quiet and stayed that way until we were off the aircraft.
I've gotten used to the "I have a connection" types who, when flying into a hub, seem to believe they are the only ones who need to connect and feel the need to try to push their way off a flight. I used to get really irritated at these folks, but now I believe I have perfected the deadpanned "we all have connections" response along with an absolute refusal to yield to their bullying.
However I experienced a new one lately...can't remember where I was flying but a passenger behind me had no carry-on luggage. As soon as we parked at the gate he was up and nearly running to the front of the plane. I got out of my seat to retrieve my bag from the overhead and he glared at me, pretty menacingly. If I were smaller, I'm pretty sure he would have tried to push past me. I asked him if he had a problem and he said "I don't have any bags so I should be able to get off first". A bit more loudly and a bit more angrily than I would have liked, I said, "See all these people seated towards the front? They would like to get off the plane as well. You are not more special than them." It got really quiet and stayed that way until we were off the aircraft.
Jun 15, 2018, 2:48 pm
#174
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: PHX, SEA
Programs: Avis President's Club, Global Entry, Hilton/Marriott Gold. No more DL/AA status.
Posts: 4,422
Back in the ‘80’s and early ‘90’s before today’s elite status programs, Delta had a program called Flying Colonels for the super elites of the time. The program was retired in the ‘90’s. I was then and am still today a Flying Colonel (2M miles) and on the few occasions I fly with DL today, the flight attendants acknowledge it. My upgrades back then had nothing to do with my military status but rather my status with the airline.
Jun 15, 2018, 4:37 pm
#176
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: SFO/STS
Programs: AA EXP, HH Diamond
Posts: 396
Jun 18, 2018, 1:59 am
#177
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Paris, Chicago, Rome, London, St John
Programs: DeltaPrivateJet, Ritz PP, Delta 4 million miler - Flying Colonel; AA Exec Plat (3 million + USAir)
Posts: 796
Back in the ‘80’s and early ‘90’s before today’s elite status programs, Delta had a program called Flying Colonels for the super elites of the time. The program was retired in the ‘90’s. I was then and am still today a Flying Colonel (2M miles) and on the few occasions I fly with DL today, the flight attendants acknowledge it. My upgrades back then had nothing to do with my military status but rather my status with the airline.
Jun 18, 2018, 2:57 am
#178
Join Date: Jun 2015
Programs: AA LP pleb, QR Plat., Bonvoy Ti, IHG Diamond Amb, Foolish Hoarder of Miles, Fid. Def.
Posts: 125
Back in the 90’s when I was a company grade officer on active duty in the Army, I would often get a complimentary upgrade to F on Delta, flying out of ATL. On several occasions, a senior officer, in uniform would board and upon seeing me in F would hand my his boarding pass in Y and I was forced to relinquish my seat and move to the back. A few weeks ago, now a long retired Lieutenant Colonel, I was killing time in the Marco Polo Lounge at VCE when general officer sat next to me and noticed an old Army unit insignia I had on my backpack. We struck up a conversation and I let him know I was retired from the Army. Later at the gate, when boarding was called, we both boarded together but I took a left turn into J and he turned right into Y. Nothing was said and I was left to wonder how awkward it would have been if I hadn’t mentioned to him that I was a civilian and he had attempted to pull rank on me.
Signed,
A civilian officer who blessedly never has to worry about that sort of thing
Jun 18, 2018, 5:31 am
#179
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: DCA/IAD
Programs: AA EXP; 1W Emerald; HHonors Diamond; Marriott Gold; UA dirt
Posts: 7,816
I've heard, I forget where, that these days the DoD has put the kibosh on officers flying premium class in uniform *at all*, even if they paid for it with their own money. Enlisted are okay, but apparently the optics of "brassiest-brassy-brass on the plane gets to fly first" (as you describe) got to be a bit too much for the people who have to hear from the taxpayers about where their money's going.
Signed,
A civilian officer who blessedly never has to worry about that sort of thing
Signed,
A civilian officer who blessedly never has to worry about that sort of thing
Jun 25, 2018, 5:58 am
#180
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Paris, Chicago, Rome, London, St John
Programs: DeltaPrivateJet, Ritz PP, Delta 4 million miler - Flying Colonel; AA Exec Plat (3 million + USAir)
Posts: 796