American Crew Not Great? (Poor intl. cabin crew experience)
#61
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: California
Programs: AA EXP; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite
Posts: 1,954
This happens to me on HKG-LAX and NRT-LAX as well. Maybe not interviews, but pre-boarding inspection of carry ons and documents in the jet bridge after passing the gate.
#62
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: AS 100K, AA EXP, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 293
I fly LHR->LAX and LHR->DFW fairly often, and have never gotten pre-boarding interviews. Random bag checks happen but always just a handful of people.
#63
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#64
Join Date: Jan 2012
Programs: AY+ Plat, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 2,846
Although I've experienced the "pre-boarding" screening questions at airports besides LHR, LHR is by and large the airport at which I've experienced the strictest security in general (strict scrutiny of liquid amounts, pat downs, etc.). This is probably more a LHR thing than a US-flight thing, though.
#65
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 361
OP's behavior very easily could have ended up with a removal from the flight, especially out of a security heightened location such as LHR. I'm honestly surprised it didn't at a minimum turn into a conversation of some sort about his staying on the flight though maybe it did.
#66
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: AS 100K, AA EXP, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 293
Strange. On pretty much every US-bound flight I've flown (from LHR or elsewhere), there is usually a series of questions you have to answer before being admitted into the boarding area. At LHR, I've had questions at check-in, and they'll put a little sticker on the back of your passport (although it's been a while since I've checked in at the check-in desks at LHR, so not sure if they still do this).
Although I've experienced the "pre-boarding" screening questions at airports besides LHR, LHR is by and large the airport at which I've experienced the strictest security in general (strict scrutiny of liquid amounts, pat downs, etc.). This is probably more a LHR thing than a US-flight thing, though.
Although I've experienced the "pre-boarding" screening questions at airports besides LHR, LHR is by and large the airport at which I've experienced the strictest security in general (strict scrutiny of liquid amounts, pat downs, etc.). This is probably more a LHR thing than a US-flight thing, though.
#67
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 1,107
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#68
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: San Diego, CA
Programs: AS 75k, Hyatt EXPL, *all* the CC statuses
Posts: 78
On the other hand, the "SSSS" designator that brings extra bag checks is supposedly random.
#69
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: The FT AA forum, until it no longer wants me.
Programs: CK or bust
Posts: 1,913
Clip-on USB fan
One of the best things you can add to your travel pack. Sitting on the ground and the air isnt on? Bam! Air circulation.
Hotel a bit warm, even with the air turned down? Boom!
These little 6-inch fans are a life saver across so many scenarios. Cant imagine not having one any more. I even have a little rechargeable power pack that I use with it when an outlet isnt readily available.
They arent going to blow your hat off, but they sure do make a nice, comfortable breeze.
Edit: note the link is reference only, not sponsored or an affiliate link of any kind.
#70
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2014
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Everybody is supposed to go through that, it doesn't have anything to do with GE or SSSS.
#71
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: London
Programs: Executive Club - Gold, HH - Gold, Marriott - Gold
Posts: 369
I apologise to anyone I have offended or upset by standing by the door - I will be sure to never do it again.
As far as questioning goes I was questioned at the first class check in about my job and what I do for work, who I work for, Where I work, who my boss is etc. As first I wasn’t sure what exactly the point of these questions were for but once I did I gave her way more information than was needed and she stamped my boarding pass.
I was never question at BA first check in or any of the other times I have flown to the US in the last year; none in business class on BA, none on Norwegian to JFK either. I agree that LHR seems to have super zealous security checks with every fluid you have in the bag and on display and random bag checks which I did see when I was boarding (except when flying BA first it seems as they didn’t even seem to care if I opened my bag or not).
By contrast the TSA here at O’Hare didn’t ask me to open my bag, didn’t check the liquid sizes etc; just put it through the x-ray machine and were done.
As far as questioning goes I was questioned at the first class check in about my job and what I do for work, who I work for, Where I work, who my boss is etc. As first I wasn’t sure what exactly the point of these questions were for but once I did I gave her way more information than was needed and she stamped my boarding pass.
I was never question at BA first check in or any of the other times I have flown to the US in the last year; none in business class on BA, none on Norwegian to JFK either. I agree that LHR seems to have super zealous security checks with every fluid you have in the bag and on display and random bag checks which I did see when I was boarding (except when flying BA first it seems as they didn’t even seem to care if I opened my bag or not).
By contrast the TSA here at O’Hare didn’t ask me to open my bag, didn’t check the liquid sizes etc; just put it through the x-ray machine and were done.
#72
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: AS 100K, AA EXP, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 293
They have a special "enhanced questioning" room somewhere at the terminal connecting corridors leading to T3 departures where they try to lure you in, which is best to ignore, and you get a shorter interview at the gate, usually. This is how they used to do it for a while, not sure if it has changed lately.
Everybody is supposed to go through that, it doesn't have anything to do with GE or SSSS.
Everybody is supposed to go through that, it doesn't have anything to do with GE or SSSS.
This usually happens at check in. Do you have TSA Precheck? If your KTN is on your reservation and the carrier participates, they will not ask you any additional questions on international flights bound for the US. If not, it depends.
On the other hand, the "SSSS" designator that brings extra bag checks is supposedly random.
On the other hand, the "SSSS" designator that brings extra bag checks is supposedly random.
#73
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Join Date: Aug 2014
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I can confirm this, it is a thing.
#74
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Join Date: May 2002
Location: NC
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I fly weekly on long haul AA and can say, as a CK, AA crew are among the worst. They are indifferent in service and dress (yesterdays flight attendant has such a poorly trimmed beard you couldnt see his mouth and had
no idea if he were talking to you). Uniforms run the gamut from old US pieces to something they think looks similar but is really just white and blue). For the price point, its embarrassing. To find one that likes their job or at least delivers a pleasant service is a needle in a haystack. Sadly, domestic service is often better because they are new hires.
no idea if he were talking to you). Uniforms run the gamut from old US pieces to something they think looks similar but is really just white and blue). For the price point, its embarrassing. To find one that likes their job or at least delivers a pleasant service is a needle in a haystack. Sadly, domestic service is often better because they are new hires.
#75
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: The FT AA forum, until it no longer wants me.
Programs: CK or bust
Posts: 1,913
I fly weekly on long haul AA and can say, as a CK, AA crew are among the worst. They are indifferent in service and dress (yesterdays flight attendant has such a poorly trimmed beard you couldnt see his mouth and had
no idea if he were talking to you). Uniforms run the gamut from old US pieces to something they think looks similar but is really just white and blue). For the price point, its embarrassing. To find one that likes their job or at least delivers a pleasant service is a needle in a haystack. Sadly, domestic service is often better because they are new hires.
no idea if he were talking to you). Uniforms run the gamut from old US pieces to something they think looks similar but is really just white and blue). For the price point, its embarrassing. To find one that likes their job or at least delivers a pleasant service is a needle in a haystack. Sadly, domestic service is often better because they are new hires.