What are your feelings about off duty CC being upgraded to Club whilst you remain in
Aug 15, 2011, 11:18 am
#46
Fontaine d'honneur du Flyertalk
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Morbihan, France
Programs: Reine des Muccis de Pucci; Foreign Elitist (according to others)
Posts: 19,172
Actually what has surprised me with these responses is the generosity of spirit that is shown here. Now, we have all made some fairly whopping assumptions haven't we. This person was "obviously " crew. Indeed? I thought that people were innocent until proven guilty. There are several passengers who travel big time who we do see from time to time - indeed maybe once upon a time they were crew themselves. We do not know in this specific instance that this was a crew member we have assumed it. We have no idea what relationship he held with the Captain the CSD or the Directors of the Airline.
Furthermore - who knows how many other Golds were sitting in that cabin. We don't know. So often this ends up with a "why him/her and not me".
Without commenting further on the BA policy that has been explained here the only thing that was done wrong was moving this passenger to where he was still in eye shot of others. I would have moved them to First. What the eye does not see the heart does not grieve over. Better yet, I'd have stopped him at boarding and got him to wait in the galley until everyone was aboard and seated. I am not certain that this was crew at all.
Furthermore - who knows how many other Golds were sitting in that cabin. We don't know. So often this ends up with a "why him/her and not me".
Without commenting further on the BA policy that has been explained here the only thing that was done wrong was moving this passenger to where he was still in eye shot of others. I would have moved them to First. What the eye does not see the heart does not grieve over. Better yet, I'd have stopped him at boarding and got him to wait in the galley until everyone was aboard and seated. I am not certain that this was crew at all.
Aug 15, 2011, 11:25 am
#47
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Glasgow-ish, UK
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 297
Aug 15, 2011, 11:25 am
#48
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Argentina
Posts: 40,208
Yes I have read that it's common practice on US based airlines to upgrade everyone and their granny to the premium cabins if seats are free. At the moment we are the only two in the F cabin on a UA flight but I bet they'll fill it up with UA employees going on vacation.
Aug 15, 2011, 11:25 am
#49
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,663
Some good points from my colleagues above. The Captain is the only person who can authorize an upgrade once the doors are closed.
In doing so he/she will often check that the person is suitably dressed and that the upgrade is done with the minimum of fuss.
There are strict guidelines as to staff travel. All items such as washbags, pyjamas, etc should be quietly declined. The CC will obviously also take their meal orders after all commercial pax have had their choice.
The paying customer is always put first. If it is thought the upgrade would in any way disrupt their experience of a premium cabin, the Captain will leave them where they are.
All staff realise sitting in a premium cabin is a priviledge, not a right, and their presence should never affect those that have paid to sit there.
The postings on this site are my own and don’t necessarily represent British Airways’ positions, strategies or opinions
In doing so he/she will often check that the person is suitably dressed and that the upgrade is done with the minimum of fuss.
There are strict guidelines as to staff travel. All items such as washbags, pyjamas, etc should be quietly declined. The CC will obviously also take their meal orders after all commercial pax have had their choice.
The paying customer is always put first. If it is thought the upgrade would in any way disrupt their experience of a premium cabin, the Captain will leave them where they are.
All staff realise sitting in a premium cabin is a priviledge, not a right, and their presence should never affect those that have paid to sit there.
The postings on this site are my own and don’t necessarily represent British Airways’ positions, strategies or opinions
Aug 15, 2011, 11:28 am
#50
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 10,709
Aug 15, 2011, 11:31 am
#51
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 10,709
Aug 15, 2011, 11:54 am
#52
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Cham CH
Posts: 1,645
I have no problems with crew seated in the premium cabin, whether they are positioning, on personal travel, upgraded or whatever.
As BAPilotInsider mentions, and other BA staff concur, the staff in premium cabins know it is a privilege not a right, and behave with appropriate decorum, allowing fare-paying pax priority on limited items, such as menu choices.
That means they are most likely better co-travellers than the fare-paying premium cabin traveller
It doesn't deprive me of anything, whether I am in the premium cabin or down the back....I'm still getting what I paid for.
What I do object to is the upgrade of pax with young children...kids will be kids, they can not (apparently) be smothered when crying. It's a sensitive issue even when the family has paid for the premium cabin. So why upgrade such a traveller and its carer into an F cabin? this was not on BA.
As BAPilotInsider mentions, and other BA staff concur, the staff in premium cabins know it is a privilege not a right, and behave with appropriate decorum, allowing fare-paying pax priority on limited items, such as menu choices.
That means they are most likely better co-travellers than the fare-paying premium cabin traveller
It doesn't deprive me of anything, whether I am in the premium cabin or down the back....I'm still getting what I paid for.
What I do object to is the upgrade of pax with young children...kids will be kids, they can not (apparently) be smothered when crying. It's a sensitive issue even when the family has paid for the premium cabin. So why upgrade such a traveller and its carer into an F cabin? this was not on BA.
Aug 15, 2011, 12:01 pm
#53
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: A metal nomad
Programs: Mucci des Delices Exotiques,Order of the Platinum Hairbrush,Her Royal Diamond
Posts: 23,724
It happens in every industry... just the perks.. Would I be upset, no.
Have been at events where I paid big money and a friend of a friend gets to get a better seat...
It happens ALL the time at my favourite hotel, do I mind, no, they work hard for it... and good for them.
I find that lots of people are green eyes... how about at YOU work, if you give your buddy leg up.. Same..
Have been at events where I paid big money and a friend of a friend gets to get a better seat...
It happens ALL the time at my favourite hotel, do I mind, no, they work hard for it... and good for them.
I find that lots of people are green eyes... how about at YOU work, if you give your buddy leg up.. Same..
Last edited by Yahillwe; Aug 15, 2011 at 12:07 pm
Aug 15, 2011, 12:03 pm
#54
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: SE1, London
Posts: 23,432
I would have no issues with off-duty CC being seated in Club/First.
I would hope however that it is done discreetly without making it obvious to the "left-over pax behind the curtain".
And of course, once upgraded, I assume that any off-duty CC will follow the behaviour standards that BA expects them to, and the crew on duty will ensure that cabin-ticketed pax get first choice of meals etc.
I would hope however that it is done discreetly without making it obvious to the "left-over pax behind the curtain".
And of course, once upgraded, I assume that any off-duty CC will follow the behaviour standards that BA expects them to, and the crew on duty will ensure that cabin-ticketed pax get first choice of meals etc.
Aug 15, 2011, 12:18 pm
#56
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: A metal nomad
Programs: Mucci des Delices Exotiques,Order of the Platinum Hairbrush,Her Royal Diamond
Posts: 23,724
They get to go to their other hotels within the same brand...So for example the NY ones get to stay free at the ones in Paris or Florence... and have seen them..
What is the big deal..
This lady who worked in one place while her hubby worked for another chain, they stayed at the Dorchester/Plaza from his part and other wonderful places from her part... good for them
What is the big deal..
This lady who worked in one place while her hubby worked for another chain, they stayed at the Dorchester/Plaza from his part and other wonderful places from her part... good for them
Aug 15, 2011, 12:19 pm
#57
Join Date: May 2005
Location: UK
Programs: BAEC (Gold), Hilton (Gold)
Posts: 4,168
I agree with the other posters - this is simply a perk of the job. As long as you're in the cabin you've paid for you've not lost out in any way.
Most people have perks of some sort in their own jobs - mine is classical music tickets; I can pretty much get a pair of tickets for anything I like with zero trouble and no cost because of where I work. I'm sure it drives other people mad, but it's a perk of my job and I don't actually use it that often.
My company also monitors it carefully and if you ask for tickets and don't use them yourself the cost of the tickets is deducted from your salary unless there is a good reason you didn't go.
BAH
(Please, no PM's asking for tickets for Glyndebourne, Last Night of the Proms et al - not going to happen people !)
Most people have perks of some sort in their own jobs - mine is classical music tickets; I can pretty much get a pair of tickets for anything I like with zero trouble and no cost because of where I work. I'm sure it drives other people mad, but it's a perk of my job and I don't actually use it that often.
My company also monitors it carefully and if you ask for tickets and don't use them yourself the cost of the tickets is deducted from your salary unless there is a good reason you didn't go.
BAH
(Please, no PM's asking for tickets for Glyndebourne, Last Night of the Proms et al - not going to happen people !)
Aug 15, 2011, 12:31 pm
#58
Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 10,140
Agree that if there is space for off duty cc, they are well behaved (and not UTI), it is done very discreetly, doesnt affect other passengers food choices etc I can't see the harm. I don't think it should be a free for all though, groups, friends, family, 8th cousins, etc.
The CC, especially the MF crews, are hardly paid a fortune and if it happens it happens. I wouldnt be miffed if I saw someone being moved. None of my business and wouldnt dream of asking the reasons, why not me etc. A small perk IMHO.
The CC, especially the MF crews, are hardly paid a fortune and if it happens it happens. I wouldnt be miffed if I saw someone being moved. None of my business and wouldnt dream of asking the reasons, why not me etc. A small perk IMHO.
Aug 15, 2011, 12:44 pm
#59
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: A metal nomad
Programs: Mucci des Delices Exotiques,Order of the Platinum Hairbrush,Her Royal Diamond
Posts: 23,724
To the OP... what would you do IF... finally you got some seats at a much sought after concert... Ok seat ain't that good, still you have one, then a buddy of your your who works the venue sees you and beckons you to follow him to better seat, what would you do?
Aug 15, 2011, 1:10 pm
#60
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 3,513
We get free tickets for the rugger & cricket, invites to the squadron, pads and phones, etc, and quite often I get upgraded on flights. Lucky me, perks of the job. If, and that seems to be a big if based on staff responses, staff get a freebee then good luck to them. It's almost a shame that some felt they had to explain the very sensible controls BA has in place.