BA crew upgrading a passenger on board.
Apr 10, 2016, 6:08 am
#136
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Programs: Mucci des Hommes Magiques et Magnifiques
Posts: 19,094
I agree by answering questions we could possibly be making life more difficult for ourselves, for me when I read things that are untrue I have to correct them, but this should be a lesson to all of us.
Apr 10, 2016, 6:15 am
#137
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: UK
Programs: BA, U2+, SK, AF/KL, IHG, Hilton, others gathering dust...
Posts: 2,552
And as many have said before, we are very grateful that you and your colleagues do come here to provide valuable information and advice for the FT community's benefit.
Apr 10, 2016, 9:01 am
#139
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 83
You make it sound like people are stealing sweets from the shop counter! I don't know anyone and I'll bet you don't either, who if offered a free or discounted 'something', perfectly legitimate and legal (not a shady deal) would turn it down. What would be the point?
No. Normal business (and life) is made up of a myriad of opportunities, all of them legal, and if I can repay a kindness, then I do.
You really have a bee in your bonnet about this, don't you? It's too much apparently for you to just accept that some people have a connection here, or there, or wherever that might help them. A kid gets a job because his dad went to school with the boss. A bloke gets his car fixed at a discount because he knows the Ford sales director. A lady gets a cheap laptop because her brother works at PC World. You never have ever been in receipt of a favour from anyone, anytime that might have been a gesture of kindness?
Take a step back, breathe, and then realise that it really doesn't affect you or anyone else.
You really have a bee in your bonnet about this, don't you? It's too much apparently for you to just accept that some people have a connection here, or there, or wherever that might help them. A kid gets a job because his dad went to school with the boss. A bloke gets his car fixed at a discount because he knows the Ford sales director. A lady gets a cheap laptop because her brother works at PC World. You never have ever been in receipt of a favour from anyone, anytime that might have been a gesture of kindness?
Take a step back, breathe, and then realise that it really doesn't affect you or anyone else.
Really though, it's more akin to paying for a 32" television but taking a 65" set out of the store.
Apr 10, 2016, 9:21 am
#140
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,754
Only if the store manager gave you the 65" set. Otherwise, it's shoplifting.
Seriously, I cannot believe the BS I am reading here. I simply added what I think was a relevant anecdote to a thread. My posting was totally relevant to the OP and I thought I was adding some value to the discussion, given my experience. Instead I am being subjected to being called everything from a thief to a someone involved directly in corruption and collusion. What a massive over reaction in the most childish, and dare I say jealous way.
Those of you who are so holier than thou obviously have a massive chip on your collective shoulder and I feel so sorry for you.
I don't believe I deserve this sort of flaming on what I have often taken to be a friendly, useful and sometimes fun forum. Well thanks for removing all of that.
Seriously, I cannot believe the BS I am reading here. I simply added what I think was a relevant anecdote to a thread. My posting was totally relevant to the OP and I thought I was adding some value to the discussion, given my experience. Instead I am being subjected to being called everything from a thief to a someone involved directly in corruption and collusion. What a massive over reaction in the most childish, and dare I say jealous way.
Those of you who are so holier than thou obviously have a massive chip on your collective shoulder and I feel so sorry for you.
I don't believe I deserve this sort of flaming on what I have often taken to be a friendly, useful and sometimes fun forum. Well thanks for removing all of that.
Apr 10, 2016, 9:27 am
#141
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 83
Only if the store manager gave you the 65" set. Otherwise, it's shoplifting.
Seriously, I cannot believe the BS I am reading here. I simply added what I think was a relevant anecdote to a thread. My posting was totally relevant to the OP and I thought I was adding some value to the discussion, given my experience. Instead I am being subjected to being called everything from a thief to a someone involved directly in corruption and collusion. What a massive over reaction in the most childish, and dare I say jealous way.
Those of you who are so holier than thou obviously have a massive chip on your collective shoulder and I feel so sorry for you.
I don't believe I deserve this sort of flaming on what I have often taken to be a friendly, useful and sometimes fun forum. Well thanks for removing all of that.
Seriously, I cannot believe the BS I am reading here. I simply added what I think was a relevant anecdote to a thread. My posting was totally relevant to the OP and I thought I was adding some value to the discussion, given my experience. Instead I am being subjected to being called everything from a thief to a someone involved directly in corruption and collusion. What a massive over reaction in the most childish, and dare I say jealous way.
Those of you who are so holier than thou obviously have a massive chip on your collective shoulder and I feel so sorry for you.
I don't believe I deserve this sort of flaming on what I have often taken to be a friendly, useful and sometimes fun forum. Well thanks for removing all of that.
You have been receiving something you haven't paid before simply because a friend of yours had a word with someone else.
You haven't earned the upgrades through loyalty nor by flying on the plane captained by your mate.
I'm with Globaliser on this one.
The analogies you offered only work if they are a one off event.
Apr 10, 2016, 9:37 am
#142
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Home: East Mids UK - Work (Base): Accra, Ghana.
Programs: BAEC: Silver - Marriott: Titanium
Posts: 12,086
On a flight to EWR last November, there was a family of 3 (maybe 4) in WT, I was in WT+. Half way through the flight the Mother and Daughter got moved to CW - no idea why and there were plenty free seats in WT+. BingBongBoy was working on the flight in CW, maybe he can shed some light on that situation. The daughter looked absolutely delighted - as she should - WT on a 787 looked absolutely horrendous. Unfortunately they didn't all get moved, and the waited at the end of the air bridge for the rest of the family after disembarking.
However, it was a pleasure to meet you.
Apr 10, 2016, 9:40 am
#144
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 83
Apr 10, 2016, 11:19 am
#148
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: London & Surrey
Programs: BA Blue, Virgin Flying Club, Hertz #1 Gold, Avis Preferred, National Emerald, Dr. Oetker Speciale
Posts: 455
To see the difference, imagine that you've scrimped and saved for a long time to be able to afford to buy a WT+ ticket for the first time, instead of your usual discount economy. You get to the check-in desk and the check-in agent says "Would you like to upgrade to Club World for £500?" You can't afford that amount of money, so you decline - and you're sitting in the WT+ seat that you paid for. So far, so good.
Now add this hypothetical: Suppose the check-in agent then says, "Oh, it's a great shame that you aren't Joe Bloggs, the CSD's next-door neighbour who's on this flight, because the CSD is giving all his mates upgrades for free. But please don't tell the company, because the company wouldn't approve of that."
Don't you see how that could cause understandable (and IMHO justifiable) grievance or resentment?
Now add this hypothetical: Suppose the check-in agent then says, "Oh, it's a great shame that you aren't Joe Bloggs, the CSD's next-door neighbour who's on this flight, because the CSD is giving all his mates upgrades for free. But please don't tell the company, because the company wouldn't approve of that."
Don't you see how that could cause understandable (and IMHO justifiable) grievance or resentment?
I would at that point claim to be the First Officer's Labrador
Apr 10, 2016, 11:56 am
#149
Join Date: Oct 2013
Programs: BA Gold GGL
Posts: 1,068
His junior colleague's friend's partner worked at Heathrow or something and he wanted to make sure he got the 'guaranteed' upgrade
Apr 10, 2016, 12:15 pm
#150
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: London Town
Programs: BA Silver, AF Silver
Posts: 465
I find this thread fascinating, especially having just returned from a multi-leg jaunt around the US on AA, and experiencing the diametrically-opposed approach to upgrades that AA and BA take. I was in F or J on every flight in the US, and without exception the premium cabins were full on every flight - basically because there is an upgrade waitlist made up of FFs offering miles for better seats, and at the bottom end there are always standby passengers, who will enable status passengers to move up in front of the curtain. Example - when I flew LAX-HNL, only 8 of the 16 seats were filled with revenue passengers. The other 8 were all occupied with upgrades, which enabled a bunch of standby people to fly. The difference here seems to be that the rules are really clear and everyone understands them - upgrades are a perk of loyalty, and the most loyal get first dibs. If there are any underhand mates' deals going on, they are clearly happening well under the radar. With BA, everyone expects (mostly) that upgrades will not happen, except the occasional OpUp - but the rules seem much less clear, hence the uncertainty. As for the upgrade for the captain's mother-in-law's neighbour's milkman's best friend, of course this is going to happen - but it should always be done out of earshot of any other paying passengers, especially those of us who've been lining the airline's pockets for years.