“Do You Know Who I Am?”: The Definitive Thread of DYKWIA Stories
Sep 17, 2013, 5:28 pm
#2581
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Was on the LAX-JFK redeye on AA. For some reason, they boarded extremely early (50 minutes out), and so when I got to the boarding gate +25 minutes, there was no one there. Very full flight and they made all of us "stragglers" gate-check our bags.
One of the passengers started railing saying, "I'm a Gold member! I fly 25,000 miles a year with you and I've never had to check my bags, this is ridiculous!" The GA ignored him until she started tagging my bag with my EXP nametag and said loudly, "Please, sir. This young man flies over 100,000 miles a year and he's being very reasonable about the situation."
I felt a little uncomfortable being singled out like that, but as Omar from the Wire aptly said, "It's all in the game, yo".
One of the passengers started railing saying, "I'm a Gold member! I fly 25,000 miles a year with you and I've never had to check my bags, this is ridiculous!" The GA ignored him until she started tagging my bag with my EXP nametag and said loudly, "Please, sir. This young man flies over 100,000 miles a year and he's being very reasonable about the situation."
I felt a little uncomfortable being singled out like that, but as Omar from the Wire aptly said, "It's all in the game, yo".
Sep 17, 2013, 5:47 pm
#2582
Join Date: Nov 2012
Programs: Delta DM, SPG Plat, Marriott Plat, IHG Spire
Posts: 1,021
Sigh, I won't lie I tried that line once. I was among the last to board (I got on the wrong plane first actually, but that's another story) and I asked if I could put my bag in the F class closet. The FA said no because if they let me do it they would have to let everyone do it (an argument I hate) so I said "I don't suppose the fact that I flew 56,000 miles on your airline helps?". I feel like such a s-word now for saying it.
Of course the overheads were all full, and I argued with FA about not gate-checking my 20" rollerboard, as it fits under the seat. Once she saw I was right, the FA put my backpack, which I was shoving in next to it, into the closet.
Not sure if this makes me a DYKWIA or not?
I sent a compliment to Delta both for them getting me on the flight last minute and for the FAs finding a way to accommodate my bag, although not mentioning the closet as to not get them in trouble.
Sep 17, 2013, 6:55 pm
#2583
Join Date: May 2012
Location: ORD
Programs: DL PM, HH Diamond
Posts: 51
+100. Even landing at D12 gives me awful flashbacks to the boarding process there.
Sep 18, 2013, 12:10 am
#2584
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: South Central US
Programs: UA Lifetime GS, AA EXP 1 MM, Delta Diamond, Hilton Diamond, SPG Plat, Hyatt Gold, Hertz 5Star PC
Posts: 181
I overheard this gem coming from a woman who appeared to be trying out for a "bag lady" part in a bad off-Broadway melodrama to the gate agent refusing to permit her Zone 3 BP to go before first class: "Why should I board with this riff raff?"
OMG. It's 1954.
GA told her to wait in line.
OMG. It's 1954.
GA told her to wait in line.
Sep 18, 2013, 5:51 am
#2585
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: STL
Programs: DL DM; HH gold
Posts: 554
I wish airlines would put a placard in the first bin saying it is reserved for the bulkhead passengers. The bulkhead passengers need the additional space for their personal item and since I am required to put my ipad and headphones in the bin for takeoff in a bulkhead seat I like being able to just reach up in the bin and grab those as soon as they can be used.
Sep 18, 2013, 7:07 am
#2586
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
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Location: Yiron, Israel
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Posts: 68,927
Sep 18, 2013, 12:25 pm
#2587
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, MM, NR; HH Diamond, Bonvoy LT Gold, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Diamond, others
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I overheard this gem coming from a woman who appeared to be trying out for a "bag lady" part in a bad off-Broadway melodrama to the gate agent refusing to permit her Zone 3 BP to go before first class: "Why should I board with this riff raff?"
OMG. It's 1954.
GA told her to wait in line.
OMG. It's 1954.
GA told her to wait in line.
Sep 18, 2013, 1:22 pm
#2589
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: ATL
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Yes, by virtue of them being EC or preferred seats.
I do think it'd be a nice touch to have the first bin on either side reserved for bulkhead pax. I often travel with just my briefcase, and in any non-bulkhead seat I'd need zero OH bin space at all.
Only two issues are:
1) It gives the FAs one other thing to police (or not)
2) On some equipment those bins are already taken up with O2 tanks, first aid, or all manner of other stuff anyway...
I do think it'd be a nice touch to have the first bin on either side reserved for bulkhead pax. I often travel with just my briefcase, and in any non-bulkhead seat I'd need zero OH bin space at all.
Only two issues are:
1) It gives the FAs one other thing to police (or not)
2) On some equipment those bins are already taken up with O2 tanks, first aid, or all manner of other stuff anyway...
Sep 18, 2013, 6:31 pm
#2590
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: SEA
Programs: AS 75k
Posts: 922
I've had a short connection where I was the last EC on board and I had to swim upstream 4 or 5 rows after we landed. People being people, at least 40 or 50 will deplane before finally being able to get back far enough. Only hope is someone with empty hands grabbing it for you.
Sep 18, 2013, 6:57 pm
#2591
Join Date: Nov 2010
Programs: WN peon (was A+), IHG Plat Hilton HHonors Gold DL SkyPesos PM (still a peon) US Chmn, Hawaiian Haole
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3) ... I've had a short connection where I was the last EC on board and I had to swim upstream 4 or 5 rows after we landed. People being people, at least 40 or 50 will deplane before finally being able to get back far enough. Only hope is someone with empty hands grabbing it for you.
Sep 18, 2013, 7:43 pm
#2592
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, MM, NR; HH Diamond, Bonvoy LT Gold, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Diamond, others
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That can take even longer (or they can lose it). Just ask someone to get it for you, people usually will. I've seen items passed up 6 rows because someone asked politely.
Sep 19, 2013, 5:44 am
#2593
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jun 2004
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Sep 19, 2013, 6:44 pm
#2594
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: SEA
Programs: AS 75k
Posts: 922
I've learned that lesson for 757s. I didn't expect to see EC already full when I boarded, and didn't feel like gate checking my bag (with some valuables) after I was already on board.
Sep 20, 2013, 4:28 pm
#2595
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: missing YX more every day
Programs: Delta KM/PM/MM, Nexus, CLEAR, Sharriott Plat, IHG Plat, Hilton Gold, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,105
crate you up
I overheard this gem coming from a woman who appeared to be trying out for a "bag lady" part in a bad off-Broadway melodrama to the gate agent refusing to permit her Zone 3 BP to go before first class: "Why should I board with this riff raff?"
OMG. It's 1954.
GA told her to wait in line.
OMG. It's 1954.
GA told her to wait in line.