DYKWIA | 2019 edition
Jul 3, 2019, 1:29 am
#286
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Gold, IHG Diamond
Posts: 356
In my early 30's find myself still getting accused of being in the wrong place at first check-in, priority security, at the old BA lounge RIP.
Jul 3, 2019, 1:48 am
#287
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: UK
Programs: BAEC Silver
Posts: 153
I think this might be a YYZ thing, last month I went up to a completely empty CW check desk and I got barked for not using the machines. I just replied I'd rather check in here, cue much huffing and puffing from the check in assistant. This followed by a negation with the security to allow me through fast track. Didn't make the experience feel very premium.
Jul 3, 2019, 1:55 am
#288
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 950
I think this might be a YYZ thing, last month I went up to a completely empty CW check desk and I got barked for not using the machines. I just replied I'd rather check in here, cue much huffing and puffing from the check in assistant. This followed by a negation with the security to allow me through fast track. Didn't make the experience feel very premium.
It wasn't something which particularly bothered me but also something to stand your ground over.
Jul 3, 2019, 1:58 am
#289
Join Date: May 2019
Posts: 34
However, the gatekeeper's first response should have been more like "Can I help you?" or "Can I see your boarding pass?", and less like "Go away".
Jul 3, 2019, 2:19 am
#290
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold / OW Emerald
Posts: 753
That certainly would have been easier, but I was exhausted and also slightly concerned that the desk might have been closed, and so had I said "I'm in first" it might have caused an accidental DYKWIA moment...
However, the gatekeeper's first response should have been more like "Can I help you?" or "Can I see your boarding pass?", and less like "Go away".
However, the gatekeeper's first response should have been more like "Can I help you?" or "Can I see your boarding pass?", and less like "Go away".
My answer would have been "I know where I'm going thanks." keep walking and present my passport at the counter for check-in.
Jul 3, 2019, 2:33 am
#291
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Leicestershire / Dubai
Programs: BA Silver, Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite & Lifetime Gold, Heathrow Rewards Premium, Tesco Clubcard
Posts: 663
Once a T5 CW/CE gatekeeper asked me "Travelling in business today sir?". I said "No, I'm in WTP but I'm a mere Bronze".
"Come right through" was his response.
Polite and does the job, which should have been the case by Charlie120's gatekeeper IMO.
"Come right through" was his response.
Polite and does the job, which should have been the case by Charlie120's gatekeeper IMO.
Last edited by Paren; Jul 3, 2019 at 10:44 am
Jul 3, 2019, 5:35 am
#292
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: UK
Programs: Lemonia. Best Greek ever.
Posts: 2,274
A bit of charm from staff is very nice. It makes such a difference to the journey.
Jul 3, 2019, 6:00 am
#293
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: UK - Hampshire & London
Programs: Mucci de Guardian des Celliers des Grands Crus 1e Classé, plus BAEC.
Posts: 2,737
Whenever I’m dressed casually for a flight (somewhere hot and invariably for a holiday) I have my Panama with me. If I detect a furrowed brow or a questioning look as I approach, a quick flourish of the hat does the trick and I’m ushered into Premium checkin/security/boarding etc. Very DYKWHTI! (Do you know what hat this is).
Jul 3, 2019, 10:24 am
#294
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Surrey, UK
Programs: BA Gold, *A Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 654
Had a similar experience myself with F check in at YYZ many years back. He soon changed his tune when he saw on the system that not only was I gold, but had also been upgraded.
Jul 3, 2019, 11:07 am
#295
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: トロント
Programs: IHG Gold
Posts: 4,820
That certainly would have been easier, but I was exhausted and also slightly concerned that the desk might have been closed, and so had I said "I'm in first" it might have caused an accidental DYKWIA moment...
However, the gatekeeper's first response should have been more like "Can I help you?" or "Can I see your boarding pass?", and less like "Go away".
However, the gatekeeper's first response should have been more like "Can I help you?" or "Can I see your boarding pass?", and less like "Go away".
Jul 3, 2019, 12:16 pm
#296
Join Date: May 2019
Posts: 34
I think BA needs to retrain this person and if it's not successful, then they need to review his position. Grossly inappropriate behaviour by the staff member IMO. A lot of F pax dress pretty appallingly anyway, so he might be offending a lot of people.
Having said that, the first response from me to his challenge would have been "Even though we are in first class?" which hopefully would have put the matter beyond doubt.
"Whichever you wish!" is the answer.
Having said that, the first response from me to his challenge would have been "Even though we are in first class?" which hopefully would have put the matter beyond doubt.
"Whichever you wish!" is the answer.
Jul 3, 2019, 12:38 pm
#297
Join Date: Jun 2016
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 1,166
your situation could just have been handled a lot better..."can I see your boarding pass, to make sure I send you to the right place"; "hello sir, are you travelling with us in first class this evening?" etc. - almost anything other than the 'you belong over there' attitude...which is frankly appalling for those passengers who are actually travelling in First (however they appear to be dressed...) and to be honest very rude even to those passengers who are in economy with no status and simply may not know where to go
it's rare, but I really hate that attitude; even when I'm the 'right' side of the dividing line the agent is seeking to enforce so aggressively, it makes me very uncomfortable that anyone should behave like this to other passengers even if it's ostensibly 'for my benefit'
it's rare, but I really hate that attitude; even when I'm the 'right' side of the dividing line the agent is seeking to enforce so aggressively, it makes me very uncomfortable that anyone should behave like this to other passengers even if it's ostensibly 'for my benefit'
Jul 3, 2019, 1:21 pm
#298
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Anywhere
Posts: 6,576
I would’ve asked the person back, “Hmm... what do you see on my boarding pass?”
Jul 3, 2019, 3:18 pm
#300
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 92
In hindsight, of course a sassy response would’ve been good. But in all seriousness, I think it’s a must to put these people in their place. No one deserves such treatment, even if they’re a lost economy passenger approaching the First queue by mistake. I would’ve probably asked for his name and supervisor, although experience has taught me that this normally doesn’t work at airports because the army closes its ranks if you want to make a complaint.