“Do You Know Who I Am?”: The Definitive Thread of DYKWIA Stories
Mar 24, 2014, 4:15 pm
#3166
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: MSP
Programs: Delta PM, Marriott Plat, Hertz Pres
Posts: 3,649
At the risk of appearing insensitive to DeltaWings' situation, I agree with CMK10. Op-Ups are given when DL needs to give them i.e., when Y is oversold and there is room in BE. The order in which they are given is defined by DL policy, according to status and fare within status. Asking the GA for an Op-Up is playing on their heartstrings to ask for something out of turn. If you're entitled to an Op-Up, you'll get an Op-Up. What you are asking is to get an Op-Up and have someone who would otherwise get an Op-Up not get an Op-Up. In other words, you are being a DYKWIA where the "WIA" in this case is a person with a medical condition asking to go ahead of somebody who either doesn't have a "competing" medical condition or who hasn't asked for the favor.
+1 here too. Please dont get me wrong, im sympathetic to your condition, but asking for something your not entitled to in any way, is basically the definition of a DYKWIA. I understand the need to make last min adjustments for customers who have medical conditions that prevent them from safely using their booked seats (IE a customer with large medical devices they have to be with taking up too much space or something). But in this case when its stated that you would be fine flying in coach, asking for an upgrade (and lets face it, using your disability to try to play on sympathy of the GA) really isnt right.
Per the comparison to Hilton and asking for better rooms. Thats something you are entitled to, as a frequent guest upgrades are a part of the program. If they didnt upgrade you at all, asking is well within your rights. If they only upgraded you a little, asking about higher is a gray zone, but as an upgrade is supposedly due id let it slide. For a flight asking about an op up when FO/GM/PM/DM is in no way entitled to intl upgrades....thats not ok. If it were....i do have rather severe back problems and sitting in coach for 6+ hours does mess up my back rather bad, but ive never asked for anything about it.....
What I hate most is pity. That's why I am incredibly happy with DL for not treating me as though I am an invalid. Beyond the need for an occasional door to be held, I'm independent and like it that way. The wheelchair and missing legs is a temporary setback.
When I ask about the possibility of an op-up I will not be throwing a pity party. If the GA is inclined to give me one, I will be most appreciative, but will otherwise be happy with the service I paid for.
When I ask about the possibility of an op-up I will not be throwing a pity party. If the GA is inclined to give me one, I will be most appreciative, but will otherwise be happy with the service I paid for.
Last edited by xolinlevh; Mar 24, 2014 at 4:31 pm
Mar 24, 2014, 4:23 pm
#3167
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 337
What I hate most is pity. That's why I am incredibly happy with DL for not treating me as though I am an invalid. Beyond the need for an occasional door to be held, I'm independent and like it that way. The wheelchair and missing legs is a temporary setback.
When I ask about the possibility of an op-up I will not be throwing a pity party. If the GA is inclined to give me one, I will be most appreciative, but will otherwise be happy with the service I paid for.
When I ask about the possibility of an op-up I will not be throwing a pity party. If the GA is inclined to give me one, I will be most appreciative, but will otherwise be happy with the service I paid for.
Your justification appears to be that "other people do it too", but I fail to see why DYKWIA behavior from others entitles you to the same bad behavior.
Mar 24, 2014, 4:28 pm
#3168
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: SLC
Programs: DL FO, KM, & 1.7MM; UA nothing; HH♦; National EE
Posts: 6,344
I can live with what I paid for. I'd be happier with a better seat. If I politely, cheerfully ask if something better is available, I don't see a problem. If I act like I'm entitled to something I'm not, and throw a fit when I don't get it, that's DYKWIA.
Mar 24, 2014, 5:00 pm
#3169
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Columbia, SC - USA
Programs: Delta PM; Marriott Gold; Hertz 5-Star Gold; National Executive; US Air Peon; Hilton Scrub
Posts: 50
Still not sure that you're in the wrong, though. You asked for something, and you got it. Not sure whose fault that is.
Mar 24, 2014, 5:26 pm
#3170
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Columbia, SC - USA
Programs: Delta PM; Marriott Gold; Hertz 5-Star Gold; National Executive; US Air Peon; Hilton Scrub
Posts: 50
Man, I'm learning a lot from this thread.
So even though I'm allowed to bring 2 personal items on board, putting both items in the overhead bins is frowned upon?
So even though I'm allowed to bring 2 personal items on board, putting both items in the overhead bins is frowned upon?
Mar 24, 2014, 5:36 pm
#3171
Join Date: Dec 2011
Programs: DL DM PM
Posts: 2,035
Correct. If, when everyone has boarded, there is still room in the bins, by all means put your stuff up there, but not til then. I feel quite bad for people who bring one small carry-on on-board and then have to put it under their seat because people who boarded earlier hogged the bins. I'm not in that position, never checking luggage. I put up my rollaboard and then put my large purse (with laptop in it) under the seat, always. If I had checked my rollaboard I would put the purse in the bin. It's only fair.
Mar 24, 2014, 5:58 pm
#3172
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: MCO
Programs: AA EXP, United PS, Hyatt Explorist, Marriott Titanium, Wyndham Gold, Club Carlson Gold, Amtrak
Posts: 1,254
Based on some of the comments above, it seems worse for a person with some form of disability to ask about an op-up, but fine for one who is completely healthy, because the disability might sway the GA. But what about a healthy, charming person, or a flirty, pretty gal who asks a male GA?
I feel like what we wear, the diction we employ, our attitudes, everything about us comes into play anytime we're dealing with front line staff anywhere -- even the drive thru.
Mar 24, 2014, 6:08 pm
#3173
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: South Florida
Programs: DL GM, SPG GOLD, UA DIRT, AA PLAT, US (RIP), Hilton HHonors
Posts: 705
Correct. If, when everyone has boarded, there is still room in the bins, by all means put your stuff up there, but not til then. I feel quite bad for people who bring one small carry-on on-board and then have to put it under their seat because people who boarded earlier hogged the bins. I'm not in that position, never checking luggage. I put up my rollaboard and then put my large purse (with laptop in it) under the seat, always. If I had checked my rollaboard I would put the purse in the bin. It's only fair.
Mar 24, 2014, 6:15 pm
#3174
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: MCO
Programs: DL-DM/1MM, HILTON-DIA, .HYATT-DIA/GLOB , IHG-PLT,HERTZ 5*, NATIONAL ES
Posts: 8,691
Mar 24, 2014, 6:30 pm
#3175
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Atlantic Beach, Florida, USA
Posts: 1,000
Mar 24, 2014, 7:52 pm
#3176
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2008
Location: CHA, MAN;
Programs: Delta DM 1 MM; Hz PC
Posts: 11,169
Mar 24, 2014, 7:53 pm
#3177
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Brooklyn, NYC
Programs: DL DM
Posts: 785
Mar 24, 2014, 8:07 pm
#3178
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: 대한민국 (South Korea) - ex-PVG (上海)
Programs: UA MM / LT Gold (LT UC), DL SM, AA PLT (AC), OZ, KE; GE and Korean SES (like GE); Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,995
I use a cane. Usually, it's a problem since I cannot get exit row seats. When asked by GAs if I need to board early, I always say "No" since I can get to my seat, stow my handcarry and cane, and sit down in the same time it takes others (sometimes even faster 
).
For the overhead hog: luggage lout?
).For the overhead hog: luggage lout?
Mar 24, 2014, 8:13 pm
#3179
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 127
This one 
Anymore, I just plan to stash my backpack under the seat. I usually have to check equipment anyway, so I check my luggage as well. Now that I no longer try to put my backpack in the overhead, I hold off on boarding to be one of the last onboard. The stress level plummets.
Anymore, I just plan to stash my backpack under the seat. I usually have to check equipment anyway, so I check my luggage as well. Now that I no longer try to put my backpack in the overhead, I hold off on boarding to be one of the last onboard. The stress level plummets.