Awkward F encounters
Feb 1, 2017, 2:05 pm
#31
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: EWR
Programs: UA 1k, AA EXP
Posts: 178
Hi all,
I meant to post about this a while ago (flight was >1yr ago) but it slipped my mind until a recent conversation with a friend..
My wife and I were on our first trip in BA F flying back from JFK-LHR a while ago on a 777. We were among the first to board the aircraft and were shown to our seats and served drinks etc.
Shortly after, passengers traveling in all classes (judging from the sheer volume of people) were boarded via the door at the front of the F cabin and then walking through F to get to their seats/cabins.
As it was our first visit to The Big Apple, I'm not sure how BA usually manage boarding there (perhaps there was a technical/logistical reason) but it made me feel quite awkward, sitting there in a spacious seat drinking champagne while people that were about to spent 7 hours cramped down the back walked past staring at us, with at least two mutterings of "Lucky gits" to be heard.
The queuing passengers were also stopped at the door several times and made to wait while the cabin crew served drinks to F passengers which made the situation feel even worse.
Perhaps I was just being overly sensitive but I wondered if other people had experienced similar situations and if they also felt a little awkward...
I meant to post about this a while ago (flight was >1yr ago) but it slipped my mind until a recent conversation with a friend..
My wife and I were on our first trip in BA F flying back from JFK-LHR a while ago on a 777. We were among the first to board the aircraft and were shown to our seats and served drinks etc.
Shortly after, passengers traveling in all classes (judging from the sheer volume of people) were boarded via the door at the front of the F cabin and then walking through F to get to their seats/cabins.
As it was our first visit to The Big Apple, I'm not sure how BA usually manage boarding there (perhaps there was a technical/logistical reason) but it made me feel quite awkward, sitting there in a spacious seat drinking champagne while people that were about to spent 7 hours cramped down the back walked past staring at us, with at least two mutterings of "Lucky gits" to be heard.
The queuing passengers were also stopped at the door several times and made to wait while the cabin crew served drinks to F passengers which made the situation feel even worse.
Perhaps I was just being overly sensitive but I wondered if other people had experienced similar situations and if they also felt a little awkward...
Feb 1, 2017, 2:18 pm
#32
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: PHX
Programs: AA ExPlat, United Gold, IHG Amb Plat, HHonors Diamond(Aspire), Bonvoy LT Plat, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 455
Feb 1, 2017, 3:01 pm
#35
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Mostly UK
Programs: Mucci Extraordinaire, Hilton Diamond, BA Gold (ex BD)
Posts: 11,209
Feb 1, 2017, 3:19 pm
#36
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: London, UK
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 2,287
This inevitably happens on AA's A321T where all boarding is always through L1 passing through F and J. I intentionally board that aircraft last in order to avoid being stared at. It's just a bit weird!
Feb 1, 2017, 3:30 pm
#37
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: UK - Hampshire & London
Programs: Mucci de Guardian des Celliers des Grands Crus 1e Classé, plus BAEC.
Posts: 2,738
I've had this in J on other airlines and it does feel a little odd to have people looking at you as you sip a pre-departure drink. Even more so when CC interrupt the flow of passengers to give you a top-up. I wonder if we feel it more because of hightened British class consciousness?
The last time it happened the boot was on the other foot. I was one of the Y pax walking through an already boarded CE cabin and felt rather sorry for the money/avios they'd paid for less legroom than I had in an exit row.
The last time it happened the boot was on the other foot. I was one of the Y pax walking through an already boarded CE cabin and felt rather sorry for the money/avios they'd paid for less legroom than I had in an exit row.
Feb 1, 2017, 3:45 pm
#38
Join Date: May 2010
Location: UK
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 1,144
I've had this in J on other airlines and it does feel a little odd to have people looking at you as you sip a pre-departure drink. Even more so when CC interrupt the flow of passengers to give you a top-up. I wonder if we feel it more because of hightened British class consciousness?
The last time it happened the boot was on the other foot. I was one of the Y pax walking through an already boarded CE cabin and felt rather sorry for the money/avios they'd paid for less legroom than I had in an exit row.
The last time it happened the boot was on the other foot. I was one of the Y pax walking through an already boarded CE cabin and felt rather sorry for the money/avios they'd paid for less legroom than I had in an exit row.
Feb 1, 2017, 3:51 pm
#39
Join Date: May 2016
Location: GLA
Programs: BAEC Bronze
Posts: 143
Feb 1, 2017, 4:16 pm
#40
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,808
In the US, the muttered phrase is "Must be nice..". I have been known to mutter "It is" in response a few times.
Feb 1, 2017, 4:46 pm
#41
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 852
To the OP, it's only awkward if you let it be.
Feb 1, 2017, 5:21 pm
#45
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: OSL
Posts: 2,647
If you want awkward. 6 years ago when me and my partner were hitting our late 20s we were sitting at NBO having arrived from DAR on Swiss (stopover). We were in C waiting when two women in their 60s walk past us and start talking to my partner in German in which he happens to be conversational. As they were queuing she went: "how do you afford sit here; you're so young - it shouldn't be possible". If you want awkward - please explain to 30-49 year old age difference how you can afford business. (My partner said we had been in DAR for business...