Does how you’re dressed still matter?
Mar 15, 2020, 7:11 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2019
Posts: 46
Does how you’re dressed still matter?
I thought I’d ask a question on a much lighter subject given all the doom and gloom.. I’m watching a great BA documentary from the 90s (it’s on YouTube not sure if I’m allowed to post). They go into a lot of detail about overselling tickets and making people ‘suitable for upgrade’. This is 20+ years ago now... but they’re about to upgrade someone then see he’s wearing shorts and so proceed to pick someone else.
I can’t really remember what I was wearing the the last few times I’ve been upgraded but nowadays I generally just wear gap tracksuit bottoms and a pull over as then there’s no belt to remove and it’s comfortable on the flight (much to my girlfriend’s disapproval). I haven’t had any upgrades lately... I’m wondering if the two are linked
I can’t really remember what I was wearing the the last few times I’ve been upgraded but nowadays I generally just wear gap tracksuit bottoms and a pull over as then there’s no belt to remove and it’s comfortable on the flight (much to my girlfriend’s disapproval). I haven’t had any upgrades lately... I’m wondering if the two are linked
Mar 15, 2020, 7:30 am
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Brighton. UK
Programs: BA Gold / VS /IHG Diamond & Ambassador
Posts: 14,197
The whole way upgrades are handled has changed a lot since then.
It's all done my an algorythm and so predetermined - search for 'DUT' and you'll find threads on it - to remove subjective decisions based on being suitably dressed (or handing over a £50 note in your passport)
It's all done my an algorythm and so predetermined - search for 'DUT' and you'll find threads on it - to remove subjective decisions based on being suitably dressed (or handing over a £50 note in your passport)
Mar 15, 2020, 7:34 am
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2019
Posts: 46
The whole way upgrades are handled has changed a lot since then.
It's all done my an algorythm and so predetermined - search for 'DUT' and you'll find threads on it - to remove subjective decisions based on being suitably dressed (or handing over a £50 note in your passport)
It's all done my an algorythm and so predetermined - search for 'DUT' and you'll find threads on it - to remove subjective decisions based on being suitably dressed (or handing over a £50 note in your passport)
Mar 15, 2020, 7:35 am
#8
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: London
Programs: BAEC Gold (thanks to BOB), UA, Flying Blue, Miles & Smiles, Amex BAPP & Platinum
Posts: 392
No-one cares any more. When I took my first flight in 1959 aged five, I had to wear a jacket and tie and still do (voluntarily these days). I do personally draw the line at dirty feet in flip-flops, but airlines don’t.
Mar 15, 2020, 7:36 am
#9
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
It may not have appeared to follow a system, but it did.
Furthermore, the notion that in this day and age, BA would favor someone in white tie over someone in sweats is absurd. Torn jeans are not associated with poverty or money-losing customers. Quite the contrary.
Furthermore, the notion that in this day and age, BA would favor someone in white tie over someone in sweats is absurd. Torn jeans are not associated with poverty or money-losing customers. Quite the contrary.
Mar 15, 2020, 7:37 am
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2019
Posts: 46
Mar 15, 2020, 7:57 am
#11
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Plymouth, UK
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 1,159
I remember back in 1994 on my honeymoon, flying with Emirates to the Maldives, asking for an upgrade as it was our honeymoon. We were very casually dressed as you can imagine going to somewhere like that... only to be put right in my place by a very snooty check-in desk agent... "Not dressed like that!" - I never asked again since.