“Shena”: The Definitive “Shenanigans” Thread
Oct 13, 2011, 11:31 am
#228
Join Date: May 2011
Programs: Delta Diamond Medallion 1MM, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold, National Car Executive Elite
Posts: 550
A nice beginning to a long work week.
Last edited by KDS; Oct 13, 2011 at 11:47 am
Oct 29, 2011, 4:47 pm
#229
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: DTW, LAX, MBJ
Programs: AA, Delta Kryptonium (DM) Hyatt Diamond IHG Fake Plat (Ambassador), HH Gold
Posts: 832
Shena? No Shena! Shena?
Need guidance from FT'ers to help me understand what I saw and what I should do if anything. I apologize in advance for the length of the post.
Background
I'm on a traditionally medallion heavy DTW-ATL flight today. I have a few of my team members with me. I'm 2 of 26 for 6 available up front. My companion is 24 of 26. My upgrade clears - and I give my seat to another one of my team members that has never flown in F.
I was surprised by the number of Pilots and FA's on this flight
I sit back in Y with the team member that I requested the companion UG. I see two people I know that were 7 and 10 on the list. I was also surprised by the number of Pilots and FA's on this flight
Shena appears?
There was a FA sitting in our row who just came back from working a flight to Asia. Before take off one of the working FA's whispers something to her. She can't understand him. Ask him to repeat. He says loud enough for us to hear, we have an open seat up front do you want it?
Shena is Stopped?!?
She declines the offer to move up front. I smile at what I see as a display of integrity
Don't ever underestimate Shena!?!
Another working FA brings a different Delta deadheading FA up to sit in the "open seat" in F.
My first thought is to write Delta and compliment the FA that turned down the "open" seat in F. You would have had to be there to understand, but I wish I had a JWD cert -I would have given it to her.
Here's where I need help.
1. Are there some rules that allow FA's the discretion to bring FA's or Pilots up front?
2. Was the FA who "whispered" "you want to move up front to an open seat" a Shena issue or was he being discrete?
3. How much of this, if anything is on the gate agent?
4. If this was Shena what, if anything, should I share with Delta?
I didn't lose anything and not looking for compensation just want to have the right thing done... or at least learn what is correct. If I share what I saw with the other PM's and GM's I saw back in Y they will make be pissed.
I want to be accurate... or shut up
Background
I'm on a traditionally medallion heavy DTW-ATL flight today. I have a few of my team members with me. I'm 2 of 26 for 6 available up front. My companion is 24 of 26. My upgrade clears - and I give my seat to another one of my team members that has never flown in F.
I was surprised by the number of Pilots and FA's on this flight
I sit back in Y with the team member that I requested the companion UG. I see two people I know that were 7 and 10 on the list. I was also surprised by the number of Pilots and FA's on this flight
Shena appears?
There was a FA sitting in our row who just came back from working a flight to Asia. Before take off one of the working FA's whispers something to her. She can't understand him. Ask him to repeat. He says loud enough for us to hear, we have an open seat up front do you want it?
Shena is Stopped?!?
She declines the offer to move up front. I smile at what I see as a display of integrity
Don't ever underestimate Shena!?!
Another working FA brings a different Delta deadheading FA up to sit in the "open seat" in F.
My first thought is to write Delta and compliment the FA that turned down the "open" seat in F. You would have had to be there to understand, but I wish I had a JWD cert -I would have given it to her.
Here's where I need help.
1. Are there some rules that allow FA's the discretion to bring FA's or Pilots up front?
2. Was the FA who "whispered" "you want to move up front to an open seat" a Shena issue or was he being discrete?
3. How much of this, if anything is on the gate agent?
4. If this was Shena what, if anything, should I share with Delta?
I didn't lose anything and not looking for compensation just want to have the right thing done... or at least learn what is correct. If I share what I saw with the other PM's and GM's I saw back in Y they will make be pissed.
I want to be accurate... or shut up
Oct 29, 2011, 4:56 pm
#230
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: on the path to perdition
Programs: Delta, United
Posts: 4,786
At this point unless an insider looks in to it all you are going to get is idle speculation.
My suggestion would be, if you think there is shenanigans going on, ask immediately. For instance, had it been me I would of immediately asked the FA why is there an open FC seat when not all upgrades cleared. Next walk up to the pilot or lead FA and ask for the GA to come on board and straighten out the mess.
Disclaimer - it could have been a case where there was an open FC seat and everyone on the UG list boarded thus removing themselves from the UG list. Then technically there was an open FC seat. Then it becomes a question of why was the seat open.
My suggestion would be, if you think there is shenanigans going on, ask immediately. For instance, had it been me I would of immediately asked the FA why is there an open FC seat when not all upgrades cleared. Next walk up to the pilot or lead FA and ask for the GA to come on board and straighten out the mess.
Disclaimer - it could have been a case where there was an open FC seat and everyone on the UG list boarded thus removing themselves from the UG list. Then technically there was an open FC seat. Then it becomes a question of why was the seat open.
Oct 29, 2011, 8:27 pm
#231
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: OHIO - CVG,DAY
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Plat, DL DM MM. National Exec... and my CC qualified for Plat. Status!
Posts: 469
Shena is everywhere!!!
In this case, I think that it could have been handled better by the Gate Agent and get the upgrade to the right person.
If the door was almost closed and they had their paperwork, I don't know if the FA could have done anything differently except point out the empty seat and delay the flight.
Happy Travels!
In this case, I think that it could have been handled better by the Gate Agent and get the upgrade to the right person.
If the door was almost closed and they had their paperwork, I don't know if the FA could have done anything differently except point out the empty seat and delay the flight.
Happy Travels!
Oct 29, 2011, 9:12 pm
#232
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: ATL
Programs: Delta DM, 4MM, SC, AmEx Reserve, UA Plat, SPG/Marriott Platinum, Hertz Gold
Posts: 2,383
These are tricky issues and there are many, many posts on this board about this exact situation. If the boarding door is closed and there is an empty seat, the FA has the authority to move someone up and this happens with deadheading DL personnel all the time. If the boarding door is not closed and you ask for the GA to come aboard and "straighten out this mess" your request will likely be denied as it risks delaying the flight which DL corporate goes nuts about. When I have noticed this happening, I have asked the FA "if you have an open seat in F, could you please move up whomever was next on the UG list?" Sometimes this is met with "I don't know who was next on the UP list," in which case they go about moving up whomever they wanted anyway. It's certainly worth an e-mail to DL where they have the report in writing and maybe you get some token sky pesos for it.
Oct 29, 2011, 9:53 pm
#233
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 159
One time when I was on a RJ that had just had first class added, after boarding, we were ready for pushback, but some DYKWIAs complained to the flight attendants (standbys were in the 1st class seats), who got the gate agent, who then did the weirdest attempt at following status ever, and we were late leaving.
Oct 29, 2011, 11:59 pm
#234
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 360
1. Does housekeeping at the Four Seasons get to sleep in the unsold suite? No.
2. Do members of the wait staff of nice restaurants eat in the main dining room during prime dining hours? No.
FAs and pilots, deadheading or not, hold fly in the back row of coach.
I'm completely over the upgrade entitlement mentality and am a proponent of Monetize First Class.
"Delta First. No employees. No upgrades. Just first class fare paying passengers."
2. Do members of the wait staff of nice restaurants eat in the main dining room during prime dining hours? No.
FAs and pilots, deadheading or not, hold fly in the back row of coach.
I'm completely over the upgrade entitlement mentality and am a proponent of Monetize First Class.
"Delta First. No employees. No upgrades. Just first class fare paying passengers."
Oct 30, 2011, 1:01 am
#235
Join Date: Jun 2008
Programs: TK*G (E+), IHG Plat Ambassador
Posts: 7,884
With DL all NRSA travel is in F or C if seats are available.
Last edited by TPJ; Oct 31, 2011 at 2:11 am
Nov 8, 2011, 12:51 pm
#236
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Behind The Orange Curtain
Programs: Delta DM, Global Entry, SPG Platinum, SSG Platinum, Tuborg Gold
Posts: 93
Shena Caught Red Handed (Coated)
Barely made my connection in ATL yesterday. Already had my upgrade confirmed out of ATL but, as I hustled to the connection, I had this strange feeling that I would somehow lose it...
When I got on the plane, FC was full. I worried about finding some overhead space first and, with the help of a redcoat FA, was able to get my carry-on squared away.
I pulled my boarding pass out of my pocket to confirm which seat I was assigned (4B), at which point I confidently walked up to the gentleman (Delta pilot in uniform) in my seat and said politely, "excuse me, sir, I believe you are in my seat."
He stood up and said, "Sorry about that, she was just trying to do me a favor." ("She" being the redcoat FA.)
I got my upgrade, so I didn't bother making any smart ... comments. But I did think that on a flight out of ATL, on a full 757, the odds of there being at least one Medallion on that plane who was entitled to that upgrade (assuming I didn't show) was, well...right, approximately 100%.
Seems as though if a FA is going to pull a passenger from Y to F, they should bring up a valuable customer instead of doing a "favor" for a Delta employee.
Is she Shena or were all bets off because everyone had already boarded? And should she have waited until it was certain that I wouldn't be on the plane before effectively giving away my seat? (The pillow was damp with his back sweat when I sat down).
"She was just trying to do me a favor."
When I got on the plane, FC was full. I worried about finding some overhead space first and, with the help of a redcoat FA, was able to get my carry-on squared away.
I pulled my boarding pass out of my pocket to confirm which seat I was assigned (4B), at which point I confidently walked up to the gentleman (Delta pilot in uniform) in my seat and said politely, "excuse me, sir, I believe you are in my seat."
He stood up and said, "Sorry about that, she was just trying to do me a favor." ("She" being the redcoat FA.)
I got my upgrade, so I didn't bother making any smart ... comments. But I did think that on a flight out of ATL, on a full 757, the odds of there being at least one Medallion on that plane who was entitled to that upgrade (assuming I didn't show) was, well...right, approximately 100%.
Seems as though if a FA is going to pull a passenger from Y to F, they should bring up a valuable customer instead of doing a "favor" for a Delta employee.
Is she Shena or were all bets off because everyone had already boarded? And should she have waited until it was certain that I wouldn't be on the plane before effectively giving away my seat? (The pillow was damp with his back sweat when I sat down).
"She was just trying to do me a favor."
Nov 8, 2011, 12:58 pm
#237
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Iowa, USA
Programs: Delta KM, United 1K, SPG plat
Posts: 415
If you boarded within the last 15 minutes, consider yourself darned lucky that you kept your upgrade. Your point about there probably being another medallion the in back is a good one, except again they are not obligated to upgrade someone who has boarded and thus implicitly accepted their seat.
Nov 8, 2011, 12:59 pm
#238
Join Date: Mar 2011
Programs: DL ♦, Marriot Plt, NATL EE
Posts: 526
He stood up and said, "Sorry about that, she was just trying to do me a favor." ("She" being the redcoat FA.)
(SNIP)
Seems as though if a FA is going to pull a passenger from Y to F, they should bring up a valuable customer instead of doing a "favor" for a Delta employee
(SNIP)
Seems as though if a FA is going to pull a passenger from Y to F, they should bring up a valuable customer instead of doing a "favor" for a Delta employee
As for your second comment FAs have no list showing them who is in what order on the manifest they are handed. The FAs have no way of knowing that you beat your seatmate in priority or if your seatmate might beat you. FAs who upgrade specific revenue PAX have done so because the GA has told them who to upgrade.
Nov 8, 2011, 12:59 pm
#239
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: CMH
Programs: DL GM, HH Diamond
Posts: 390
Barely made my connection in ATL yesterday. Already had my upgrade confirmed out of ATL but, as I hustled to the connection, I had this strange feeling that I would somehow lose it...
When I got on the plane, FC was full. I worried about finding some overhead space first and, with the help of a redcoat FA, was able to get my carry-on squared away.
I pulled my boarding pass out of my pocket to confirm which seat I was assigned (4B), at which point I confidently walked up to the gentleman (Delta pilot in uniform) in my seat and said politely, "excuse me, sir, I believe you are in my seat."
He stood up and said, "Sorry about that, she was just trying to do me a favor." ("She" being the redcoat FA.)
I got my upgrade, so I didn't bother making any smart ... comments. But I did think that on a flight out of ATL, on a full 757, the odds of there being at least one Medallion on that plane who was entitled to that upgrade (assuming I didn't show) was, well...right, approximately 100%.
Seems as though if a FA is going to pull a passenger from Y to F, they should bring up a valuable customer instead of doing a "favor" for a Delta employee.
Is she Shena or were all bets off because everyone had already boarded? And should she have waited until it was certain that I wouldn't be on the plane before effectively giving away my seat? (The pillow was damp with his back sweat when I sat down).
"She was just trying to do me a favor."
When I got on the plane, FC was full. I worried about finding some overhead space first and, with the help of a redcoat FA, was able to get my carry-on squared away.
I pulled my boarding pass out of my pocket to confirm which seat I was assigned (4B), at which point I confidently walked up to the gentleman (Delta pilot in uniform) in my seat and said politely, "excuse me, sir, I believe you are in my seat."
He stood up and said, "Sorry about that, she was just trying to do me a favor." ("She" being the redcoat FA.)
I got my upgrade, so I didn't bother making any smart ... comments. But I did think that on a flight out of ATL, on a full 757, the odds of there being at least one Medallion on that plane who was entitled to that upgrade (assuming I didn't show) was, well...right, approximately 100%.
Seems as though if a FA is going to pull a passenger from Y to F, they should bring up a valuable customer instead of doing a "favor" for a Delta employee.
Is she Shena or were all bets off because everyone had already boarded? And should she have waited until it was certain that I wouldn't be on the plane before effectively giving away my seat? (The pillow was damp with his back sweat when I sat down).
"She was just trying to do me a favor."
Btw, 'Tuborg Gold' ... love it
Nov 8, 2011, 1:04 pm
#240
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Behind The Orange Curtain
Programs: Delta DM, Global Entry, SPG Platinum, SSG Platinum, Tuborg Gold
Posts: 93
No such thing as a redcoat FA so I'm not sure who you are referring to.
And since you weren't there, it really doesn't surprise me that you are not sure to whom I was referring.