Sneaking into Club and getting away with it..
Jul 10, 2019, 3:22 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2018
Programs: BA Gold; Surrey CCC
Posts: 97
Sneaking into Club and getting away with it..
Did any of you see the article in the telegraph article about the WT passenger sneaking into Club (appears to be the SIN-SYD sector) and getting away with it? (https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/comment/how-i-sneaked-into-business-class-from-economy-true-story/)
I’ve heard of this happening before on the domestic flights into CE, but never heard of it before in long-haul Club. I was always under the impression that there are strict security procedures around checking and double-checking the right number of passengers in each cabin, but maybe I’m wrong. Also I would have thought the iPad would have said the seat in question was empty, maybe they didn’t check.
Grudging respect for trying (and getting away with it!) or out-of-order (especially when a lot of people in that cabin would have paid thousands for their tickets)? Never thought I would see this happening on BA.
I’ve heard of this happening before on the domestic flights into CE, but never heard of it before in long-haul Club. I was always under the impression that there are strict security procedures around checking and double-checking the right number of passengers in each cabin, but maybe I’m wrong. Also I would have thought the iPad would have said the seat in question was empty, maybe they didn’t check.
Grudging respect for trying (and getting away with it!) or out-of-order (especially when a lot of people in that cabin would have paid thousands for their tickets)? Never thought I would see this happening on BA.
Jul 10, 2019, 3:28 pm
#2
Join Date: Nov 2017
Programs: BA, Hilton
Posts: 2,091
It's been noted in the main Media thread, where I expect your post will be merged to soon 
BA in the media 2019
BA in the media 2019
Jul 10, 2019, 3:32 pm
#4
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: London, ARN, HEL, ..... or MAN
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I was on a domestic last week where a couple clearly tried to sneak into CE and were send back to their proper seats by the SCCM. The frustrating thing here is that there doesn't seem to be a sanction against these people. If the worst that can happen is being sent back to your assigned seats, then there is no reason not to try it on every flight. If they were asked to pay the fare difference, or repeat offenders charged with fraud, then it may be a different matter.
Jul 10, 2019, 3:34 pm
#5
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: LHR/ATH
Programs: Amex Platinum, LH SEN (Gold), BA Bronze
Posts: 4,489
I was on a domestic last week where a couple clearly tried to sneak into CE and were send back to their proper seats by the SCCM. The frustrating thing here is that there doesn't seem to be a sanction against these people. If the worst that can happen is being sent back to your assigned seats, then there is no reason not to try it on every flight. If they were asked to pay the fare difference, or repeat offenders charged with fraud, then it may be a different matter.
What do you suggest the sanction to be then? I think you are seriously exaggerating, making it sound like a criminal offence! God forbid I sit in another empty seat if I don't like my assigned one and there is a better one empty because I did not pay for it, I am in trouble?
If the OP story person got away with it, good for them! The worst thing that should happen is they are sent back to their seats, it's up to crew to enforce this and that's that.
Jul 10, 2019, 3:39 pm
#6
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: London, ARN, HEL, ..... or MAN
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Are you serious? Is that the worst thing that you think should happen? So therefore it's OK for everyone to sit where they want and the biggest sanction is to be sent back to the seat you have paid for?
Jul 10, 2019, 3:43 pm
#7
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: LHR/ATH
Programs: Amex Platinum, LH SEN (Gold), BA Bronze
Posts: 4,489
Absolutely. And that's why BA has common sense, and just looks to enforce the rule, not arrest them for 'fraud'. If the passenger refuses to move and becomes aggressive, then that's another matter, but the charge there would then be refusing to follow the crew's instructions if anything else, a much bigger allegation than sitting in a seat you are not supposed to!
Jul 10, 2019, 3:49 pm
#8
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: London, ARN, HEL, ..... or MAN
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Posts: 5,901
The action of the passenger as it happens neatly matches the definition of fraud under Section 11 of the Fraud Act 2006, based on the premise that the passenger knew that they were sitting in a higher class than that paid for, with no intention of paying the due fare for that cabin. In the case I described, based on the Gold tags on the passenger's case, it was not an innocent mistake.
Somewhere between the position of "it's OK, let everyone sit where they want, irrespective of the class of service they've paid for" and "arrest every passenger who innocently sits in the wrong seat" is probably the right approach.
Somewhere between the position of "it's OK, let everyone sit where they want, irrespective of the class of service they've paid for" and "arrest every passenger who innocently sits in the wrong seat" is probably the right approach.
Jul 10, 2019, 3:54 pm
#10
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: City of Kingston Upon Hull
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Jul 10, 2019, 4:03 pm
#11
Join Date: Jul 2019
Programs: BAEC: Silver
Posts: 2
A penalty fare of double the business class one way fare from SIN to SYD could prove very costly indeed!
Jul 10, 2019, 4:13 pm
#12
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: London Stratford, E7
Programs: BAEC Gold! Thanks to FT
Posts: 3,380
This isn’t the case (in the UK at least). The very minimum you will have to pay is a Penalty Fare which is £20 or double the First Class single fare to the next station. Whatever is highest. Of course if you wished to continue your journey, you’d then have to purchase a separate ticket to your final destination. In many cases, if the inspector suspects you were trying to avoid paying the fare due, the case will be processed for prosecution.
A penalty fare of double the business class one way fare from SIN to SYD could prove very costly indeed!
I dont think this happened as there are inconsistencies with the seat number and food described but for chan Ed’s maybe cancellation of their BAEC membership or a demotion of tiers might prevent others from trying.
Jul 10, 2019, 4:17 pm
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist, Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Jun 2008
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Fraud? Are you serious?
What do you suggest the sanction to be then? I think you are seriously exaggerating, making it sound like a criminal offence! God forbid I sit in another empty seat if I don't like my assigned one and there is a better one empty because I did not pay for it, I am in trouble?
If the OP story person got away with it, good for them! The worst thing that should happen is they are sent back to their seats, it's up to crew to enforce this and that's that.
What do you suggest the sanction to be then? I think you are seriously exaggerating, making it sound like a criminal offence! God forbid I sit in another empty seat if I don't like my assigned one and there is a better one empty because I did not pay for it, I am in trouble?
If the OP story person got away with it, good for them! The worst thing that should happen is they are sent back to their seats, it's up to crew to enforce this and that's that.
Jul 10, 2019, 4:18 pm
#14
Join Date: Apr 2017
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 1,387
What’s this crazy talk? This is FT. ;-)
Jul 10, 2019, 5:05 pm
#15
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 1,281
They will just say the seats look the same so they didn't see why anyone would mind.