Michael Roberts

Spot on - the sheer number of times people cut in front of me because I look scruffy in airports - doesn't particularly bother me, wait and smile - we all get on the plane in the end

lorcancoyle

beachmouse

I follow assorted athletes on twitter, and there are many a story of an athlete headed off to a world championships or other big meet who manages to escape cattle class on that ticket only to have someone make assumptions them for looking scruffy in a track suit .

HarbourGent

Bedint. A blazer and club tie would be in order.

Globaliser

"Clearly not, when they allow people like you to fly in Club."

OverTheHorizon

Sometimes we just can't escape our upbringing...

I recently rolled up at JFK T7 for an F flight home and there was quite a line for the security.

As a GGL, I was offered the option of being taken to the front of the line, but my British "not wanting to make a fuss" gene kicked in so I politely declined.

I then stood there quietly seething as a number of other people gladly accepted a similar offer and made me wait 5 minutes longer than I otherwise would have

Once I got into the CCR and had a nice glass of bubbly though, all was soon right again with the world

RollAnotherFatOne

I do find it amazing how many d***eys seem to think they're in group 1. Staff need to 'police' this better.
I've almost had my very own DYWIA moments when these people are blocking my path. It's so disorderly, unsightly and improper.
Instead one of these days I'll just shout 'group 1 coming through' with people stepping aside.

CKBA

Indeed... a while ago waiting for a check-in desk - I clearly waited a few seconds longer than is acceptable, someone raced in front to the desk. Somewhat aghast I turned to the person behind saying something along the lines of "he must be in a hurry!" a reply came in a very strong German accent "no - he is just very rude!" :-)

RollAnotherFatOne

I experienced a remarkable DYKWHI (Do You Know Who He is) moment when I traveled WAW-AMS on LO J a few years back. A couple hundred people held back until I boarded first, having approached from the lounge. Never seen anything quite like it - someone had obviously radioed ahead as I was the only person in business that day. That felt pretty special. Similarly in AUH-CMB EY J passing through the special entrance and staff taking luggage through security past queues flowing onto outside, was a very good situation as well. I prefer to sit back and see these priveleges rather than request them. A bit of decorum serves well obviously.

But I don't like when people, assume no one else is priveleged and rush past. I have many similar experiences to those mentioned above by others. If I'm with a travel companion we can obviously have a little joke about it.

fluffymitten

I recall travelling in F DXB-LHR and they do proper fast track of premium passengers. You get assigned a dedicated person who essentially speed marches you though every process - it's quite a challenge to keep up!

The bit I liked best was being given a buggy after all the security / passport checks and being asked if I wanted to go shopping or straight to the lounge. I said lounge (in hindsight I should have seen if they would drive me around all the shops or just drop me off in the IDL). Cue all these people staring at me in a "who the heck is she getting her own buggy ride" manner. Great fun!

OverTheHorizon

Are you sure about that ?

I have a feeling this service may have been discontinued, at least for BA F pax. When I came back from DXB recently it was a nightmare getting through the queues and even though I checked in a case there was no suggestion at the desk of any assistance

Still, at least now I don't feel bad about never going to Dubai again

fluffymitten

It was a couple of years ago. Maybe it has been discontinued. I haven't been back for a good while because the friend I used to visit (my only reason for setting foot in the place) has moved back to the UK.

flyer0123

On my recent LHR-JFK flight, the policing was very strict and they did not allow anyone other than Group 1 to use group 1 lane. Many people tried and Group 1 line at one point seemed very long, but most were sent back to the lanes they actually belonged. It was very interesting to watch how some people act ignorant, some act entitled to group 1 line in spite of their BP saying otherwise. For the record, I was in my Group 2 lane as per my BP, even though my final BP was for Group 1 . Always wonder, why we wait and spend so much time in the airport at checkin, security, lounge etc but can't wait few more seconds to board

lorcancoyle

Proudelitist

I was once dressed to the 9's for a meeting I had to be at after my flight. The plan was to go from the plane to the meeting, and I had no time to change. So I was in a full suit and tie.

I was actually flying in regular old Y that day, on a flight of no more than an hour. When I got into the line at PHX for security, an old TSA woman pulled me out of line and told me that "First Class is over here, Sir". So I went into the F line . The agent working the desk rolled his eyes when he saw my BP, but he also saw the woman pull me out of line so he didn't send me back.

Only in PHX...where a full suit is as rare as a pink sapphire. Had I been dressed as a local...wife beater, ed hardy shirt, De-Walt wrap around glasses..I would have not been pulled out.