FlyerTalk Forums - Looking 40 & Being Elite

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Quote:

Originally Posted by txl

"Pardon me, do you have a match?"

I use a lighter. Or used to, until the TSA took it from me.

And regarding those pedo-fists: if you really are elite, not while you're boarding; your toenails might put a run in the blue carpet.

Quote:

Originally Posted by xFF

I use a lighter. Or used to, until the TSA took it from me.

^
"Hawley's plan should be as succesful as his chess."
"It will be. I've anticipated every possible variation of countermove."

Quote:

Originally Posted by xFF

if you really are elite, not while you're boarding; your toenails might put a run in the blue carpet.

Better still! A run in the carpet is certainly unreasonable hardship for elites - next sixt months of correspondence with CO!

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigFly

I’m not even 40 yet and you should see the stares I already get. Unfortunately, I don’t dress like a “complete elite (John Phillips, London, I have two myself)”- I dress comfortably, usually anything from Claiborne does me good so that might explain some of my experiences. But when the GA announces boarding First Class and/or Elite Access, (BTW, the GA always seems to throw me a wink, like she can tell just by looking at me that I am First Class material) you can just see the jealousy oozing out of the people waiting… you know the ones, the ones that only fly once a year, that don’t even realize that frequent flyer programs exist and that think ‘why would anyone waste money on a first class seat when the flight is only an hour and a half long or why would anyone even want a job that keeps them away from home that much’. It’s obviously rudeness and jealousy on the face of that little old lady who is waiting first in line because she has never flown by herself, is slightly terrified and doesn’t even realize that there are people that exist in the world who’s greatest worry is getting their carry-on in an overhead before she has a chance to stow her knitting bag. Yes, it must be rudeness and jealously on her face as I stiff-arm her to the ground telling her through clenched teeth, “First Class and Elite Access ONLY, GRANDMA, HAHAHA!” The GAs and FAs always love it when I do that, because I think deep down inside, the only people they think deserve to ride in first class and board the plane before others are guys that obviously have earned it… .guys that wear business suits or casual Claiborne. Does it keep them up at night that a guy like me sometimes doesn’t the upgrade because some other punk BOUGHT a first class ticket?

You bet it does and we feel each other's pain.

I like the spoofs and the tongue and cheek comments. It brings back a recent trip I took to AMS. Just like BigFly, I always try to dress as comfortable as possible when I fly. I pack the suits and the ties in the suitcase and wear jeans, T-shirts and sneakers on the plane. Anyway, I am sitting by the gate waiting to board when this elderly couple elbows in front of me and with her nose up in the air she states: “EXCUSE ME, they are boarding first class!!” I said nothing, let them pass and tried not to gag on the fact that she was wearing a gallon of Channel #5. When I boarded the plane, a 767, they were in 3A-B and I was in 3D. Imagine her shock when she saw me there and the concierge approached me 1st and greeted me “Hello Mr. R*, nice to see you again! Would you be having your usual?” I guess being a CO* had something to do with it. Anyway there is no real “Elite look”. There are those who flaunt it and are obnoxious about it and complain that they did not get their usual cookie on the flight, and there are those who quietly enjoy the perks and have a great time.

re: What has been referred to as "Elite looks"

It has been stated in this thread that there wasn´t anything like an Elite physiognomy or distinguishing marks, seperating the plebs from the aristocracy of flying, if you will, thus enabling immediate recognition of those you are on par with. Quite the contrary!
In 1768 the Freemasons' United Grand Lodge of England, presided by Grand Master George Palms and Grand Secretary Thomas Williamson, commissioned the creation of guidelines for their 'chapter of peer recognition', later named the 'Palms-Williamson-guidelines', that were completed in August 1775, and have since proven to be a most reliable and practically infallible system in the distinction of standing. In the United States these guidelines were subsequently adopted by most of the Grand Lodges of the different states.
Mind you, airline airport-staff has virtually no access to these guidelines - so they can only serve as a means for fellow passengers (and some airline executives, of course). Well, I feel this clarifies matters.

Sometimes when I fly upfront I wear my Rolex on my left wrist and my Franck Mueller on my right one...

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigPoppaCO

Sometimes when I fly upfront I wear my Rolex on my left wrist and my Franck Mueller on my right one...

...because we elites need to be aware of multiple timezones.
;)

Okay, okay, slightly OT but couldn't resist... mid-July FLL-EWR wheelchair flight (yes, there were 10: I counted). Mr. and Mrs. 70's Show (her: Sally Struthers wild hair, him very large coke-bottle glasses, beard, mustache, and an afro-style do, both dressed like flower children) with their multiple suitcases and sherpa bag, blocking not just blue carpet lane but "regular" lane as well. Had to be asked to step aside to let the wheelchairs board. Once boarded, they had separate seats and a big to-do ensued, because 3E wouldn't switch with him (she had 3F; he was assigned 1F). Well about five people traded seats around, including me, trying to accommodate, all the while he was making audible remarks about the dude in 3E not wanting to switch. Finally they wound up with 1A/B with the little cubby in front for the cat. Everybody's happy now, right?

NOW this just had to be the day that the lovely lead FA chose to give the meal choices from the back to the front for a change... yup you guessed it - prompting pretty vociferous complaints when he arrived at seats 1 A/B because there was no "choice" left. No kidding, they were having this "discussion" with the lead FA about why did he have to do that, they're elite, it's unfair, blah blah blah - like a half an hour of this! Well this guy (his name was James and he was awesome by the way) went out of his way to try and make it up to him, and even went back to coach to see what he could put together to approximate another choice of meal. He paid them special attention and finally things quieted down.

Next thing I know, these people are pulling these huge hoagie sandwiches and large sodas out of their bags! All the folks seated in the vicinity were looking at them with incredulity... :rolleyes:

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigPoppaCO

Sometimes when I fly upfront I wear my Rolex on my left wrist and my Franck Mueller on my right one...

Rub it in!

Quote:

Originally Posted by wendyhamburger

this just had to be the day that the lovely lead FA chose to give the meal choices from the back to the front for a change

Old time elites (got to be over 40) remember when the start-at front/back was determined by the even/odd of the flight number. And real elites remember which was which.

Quote:

Originally Posted by xFF

Old time elites (got to be over 40) remember when the start-at front/back was determined by the even/odd of the flight number. And real elites remember which was which.

What if the flights a prime number? :p

-Vincent

Quote:

Originally Posted by vincom

What if the flights (sic) a prime number?

Those elites educated during an era of high educational standards would recognize it as "odd."

Even if they can't program the clocks on their VCRs.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPN Lifer

Those elites educated during an era of high educational standards would recognize it as "odd."

Unless, of course, there were a CO2. And we won't even touch that pun, will we?

Ah, the old game: give a wolf a taste and then leave him hungry. :(

Quote:

Originally Posted by txl

Ah, the old game: give a wolf a taste and then leave him hungry. :(

If you are referring to silence concerning the Palms-Williamson guidelines for identifying elites (and, when referring to Masons, the term is apt), I know nothing of them. Drovot, Carnehan, and Kipling seemed to be able to recognize each other, but to what end?

And as regards Hawley, I fear I don't recognize him, nor his chess abilities.