Semi-OT: Evil glares from other PAX while sat in CE
#91
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Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Earth
Programs: Proud owner of 3 Mucci's (yes, 3!) the latest being Chevaliere des Bains Chauds, BA Silver (6 yrs)
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2-year-olds on the prowl are good fun. You would have be an unbelievably miserable sod (in general, not being specific to you!) not to feel a little warm glow when my 2-year daughter with her big moon face and huge smile comes up to you and say Hello before toddling off.
Of course kids can be cute, especially to their parents, but not always to everybody else.
I'd rather have HIDDY as a grumpy old man!
Sorry Raffles
#92
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Join Date: May 2007
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 12,046
I really believe that shopping bags are a great way to carry your stuff if you do not have much. It allows you to keep using the bag (good for the environment), it has handy handles and it is just the right size for a couple of t shirts, some headphones, an iPod and amenity kit.
It also leaves off the annoying flappy bits on a back pack.
I like my yellow 'Food Palace' one.
For checked baggage I am sure nothing beats the old tyre stuffed with your stuff and wrapped in hessian. I have not done this yet although I want to one day when flying longhaul F. It is at the same time durable and unlikely to be pilfered by the baggage handlers. Also easy to transport as you just wheel it along. I have seen these being checked in at DOH, although admittedly not in the Premium Terminal.
It also leaves off the annoying flappy bits on a back pack.
I like my yellow 'Food Palace' one.
For checked baggage I am sure nothing beats the old tyre stuffed with your stuff and wrapped in hessian. I have not done this yet although I want to one day when flying longhaul F. It is at the same time durable and unlikely to be pilfered by the baggage handlers. Also easy to transport as you just wheel it along. I have seen these being checked in at DOH, although admittedly not in the Premium Terminal.
Last edited by Sixth Freedom; Dec 22, 2009 at 10:34 am
#93
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Queen Anne Hill, Seattle, USA
Posts: 523
Seeing as CE doesn't even have priority boarding, I have never noticed any glares. Or maybe that's because by the time I'm seated I've already hepped (sic) meself to the generous drinkies in the lounge.
#95
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#96
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Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Argentina
Posts: 40,211
#97
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Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Earth
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Posts: 10,985
#98
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: KRH
Programs: BA Gold (just!), BA Amex PP, Amex Plat, Accor Fav Guest, Priority Club Platinum
Posts: 796
Whilst I remember, the easily embarrassed should also avoid picking very lightly loaded flights. You will then avoid - as I experienced once - a pan-Gatwick tannoy announcement asking you to get your arse down to the gate because everyone else on the flight has turned up early and they want to get off. (This was Air Maroc and I was in the Priority Pass lounge.)
Had this for the first time since childhood (my Dad was always a "one last drink" type in airport bars) on my last flight, DUS-LGW with FlyBe 10 days ago or so. Four of us were getting our stuff together in the PP lounge (DUS Term C) and had made it to the foot of the stairs (less than 5 mins from the flight going green). Of course, with this being a lightly loaded Dash-8, there were only around 30-40 pax (not enough to make a single bus seem busy) and they held the bus for us.
#99
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Seat 1A, Juice pretty much everywhere, Mucci des Coins Exotiques
Posts: 34,339
In my experience, the best way to avoid embarrassment is to either:
a) convince yourself that you are better than other people and thus deserve to be up front, or
b) actually BE better than other people and thus deserve to be up front
It makes the whole process so much easier. Especially when you have push people out of the way to get to your designated check-in desk, boarding queue, security lane etc. If you treat them as equivalent human beings to yourself the whole process gets embarrassing ....
And if you have an issue with people looking at you, NEVER EVER book a LH First Class redemption. The look on the faces of the fellow passengers when a Porsche pulls up at the steps of the plane and a guy gets out holdings a board with your name on it, ready to whisk you and you alone off to the First Class Lounge whilst your fellow pax have to pile onto a bus, beats anything you will get in the front row of CE ....
Even worse (or better) is when you board a LH long-haul flight in F. They drive you across to the plane, and then ask you if they should stop the entire boarding of the plane so that you can get on, or if you want to wander to the back of the boarding queue. Choose the immediate boarding option and fellow pax will be held back whilst you board, with any hand luggage carried by a LH flunky who follows you up the stairs (assuming its a 747) and stows it away for you. Again, not for the easily embarrassed.
a) convince yourself that you are better than other people and thus deserve to be up front, or
b) actually BE better than other people and thus deserve to be up front
It makes the whole process so much easier. Especially when you have push people out of the way to get to your designated check-in desk, boarding queue, security lane etc. If you treat them as equivalent human beings to yourself the whole process gets embarrassing ....
And if you have an issue with people looking at you, NEVER EVER book a LH First Class redemption. The look on the faces of the fellow passengers when a Porsche pulls up at the steps of the plane and a guy gets out holdings a board with your name on it, ready to whisk you and you alone off to the First Class Lounge whilst your fellow pax have to pile onto a bus, beats anything you will get in the front row of CE ....
Even worse (or better) is when you board a LH long-haul flight in F. They drive you across to the plane, and then ask you if they should stop the entire boarding of the plane so that you can get on, or if you want to wander to the back of the boarding queue. Choose the immediate boarding option and fellow pax will be held back whilst you board, with any hand luggage carried by a LH flunky who follows you up the stairs (assuming its a 747) and stows it away for you. Again, not for the easily embarrassed.
#100
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Oxford, UK
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 109
I did get an evil glare the last time I was in CE. But then again, I was on my way to a trade show at FRA and it was from my loathed former employer who was shuffling down to the back. Made me all happy inside (or was that the champagne??).
#102
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: Battleaxe Alliance
Posts: 22,127
Never mind the evil glares. I really don't like it if I am sitting in the aisle seat up the front and people with a backpack carelessly stick it in my face. Worse than an evil glare.
#103
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 216
The lounge out of IST is pretty basic.
Hope you have a great time in Istanbul - we totally fell in love with it and the people were really nice too.
#104
Moderator: Flying Blue (Air France & KLM), France and TravelBuzz!
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Paris, France, AF F+ Rouge pour toujours, Flying Blue whatever, LH FTL, HHonors Gold, formerly proud SCC Executive, now IC Ambassador, BA down to nobody, Grand Voyageur Le Club
Posts: 12,404
#105
Moderator: Flying Blue (Air France & KLM), France and TravelBuzz!
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Paris, France, AF F+ Rouge pour toujours, Flying Blue whatever, LH FTL, HHonors Gold, formerly proud SCC Executive, now IC Ambassador, BA down to nobody, Grand Voyageur Le Club
Posts: 12,404