“Do You Know Who I Am?”: The Definitive Thread of DYKWIA Stories
#4396
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
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I don't think so and I have to deal with this all the time at the G gates in MSP due to they way they are laid out. I had a very similar situation to yours last week where a group of people were completely blocking the boarding process. First class was called and the rush to the gate started but this group moved up and then stopped, blocking access to everyone behind them.
I asked one young man if he was boarding and he said yes. The guy next to him then said, "no, they are boarding first class". I then said, "thank you, will you excuse me?" and then squeezed past them. They did separate as I passed through and I don't think they did it intentionally.
I asked one young man if he was boarding and he said yes. The guy next to him then said, "no, they are boarding first class". I then said, "thank you, will you excuse me?" and then squeezed past them. They did separate as I passed through and I don't think they did it intentionally.
#4397
I had a worse one recently some months ago at MSP, IIRC also from a G gate. FC was boarding an no one was moving, just gate lice standing there blocking access to the SkyPriority lane. I said "excuse me" FOUR times, a bit louder each time to the group of kettles immediately in from of me. Then I tried "please move." Finally I said "if you're not boarding with first class, please get out of the way for those who are in first class." They finally moved a bit, while grumbling loudly about how rude I was.
#4398
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Pagus Bracbatensis, Kingdom of the Netherlands
Programs: DL SPlat, KLM Bump, Privium Plus, GOES
Posts: 2,066
Nevertheless not going to say 'excuse me' four times. If excuse me doesn't work with gate lice it's generally time for a more direct approach; excuse me may i ask why you are blocking this area? (toedeledoekie, verschwinden please...)
In the beginning you will you will feel very uncomfortable doing that but this is why it's great to have a JV with KLM and where your experience with KLM's idea of Sky Priority @AMS comes in handy (Please proceed directly to the front and let it to their FFs to fight their way through the row and endure comments/arguments with their fellow passengers without status).
For AMS, SOP for me; ignore G6a and go for G6b
#4399
Join Date: Sep 2013
Programs: DL PM, 1MM, DL SC, Kimpton Inner Circle
Posts: 2,416
SP boarding at AMS is "hold this SP boarding card above your head as you try to fight your way to the gate through the crowds of people standing around."
#4400
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Pagus Bracbatensis, Kingdom of the Netherlands
Programs: DL SPlat, KLM Bump, Privium Plus, GOES
Posts: 2,066
#4401
Join Date: Sep 2013
Programs: DL PM, 1MM, DL SC, Kimpton Inner Circle
Posts: 2,416
#4402
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,614
I had a worse one recently some months ago at MSP, IIRC also from a G gate. FC was boarding an no one was moving, just gate lice standing there blocking access to the SkyPriority lane. I said "excuse me" FOUR times, a bit louder each time to the group of kettles immediately in from of me. Then I tried "please move." Finally I said "if you're not boarding with first class, please get out of the way for those who are in first class." They finally moved a bit, while grumbling loudly about how rude I was.
In the alternative, a spoonful of sugar can do wonders.
#4403
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 436
Even though you might not have used the terms, it seems like you viewed these folks as nothing more than kettles and gate lice, and that came through in the way you spoke to them, so no wonder they weren't too quick to move out of your way.
In the alternative, a spoonful of sugar can do wonders.
In the alternative, a spoonful of sugar can do wonders.
#4404
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Paris, Chicago, Rome, London, St John
Programs: DeltaPrivateJet, Ritz PP, Delta 4 million miler - Flying Colonel; AA Exec Plat (3 million + USAir)
Posts: 796
After snaking my way through I finally got close to the entrance to the SKY lane and a group of 4 were literally standing shoulder to shoulder intentionally blocking others from passing by. I exclaimed in a slightly elevated and commanding voice "excuse me!" As I passed through I overheard "Oh Jesus" and "what's his problem?" I didn't reply to these remarks but my thoughts were call me mridley2 and and my problem is you will not get out of the damn way so those whose zone is being called are able to board.
This was after the GA made repeated announcements about the flight being full and those pax seated in Zones 2 & 3 would have to gate check their bags since there wouldn't be enough space to fit everyone's bag. I understand passengers want to stand near the gate to improve their chances of boarding at the beginning of their zone but it is inexcusable for passengers to block the gate area entirely. Partly I blame the GA's for causing such a panic but I understand that since it does alert passengers to remove imperative items from their bags in case they are required to check. But the GA should also announce & enforce the unspoken rule of those in the gate area to clear a path so passengers can board without hassle or delay.
Were my comments selfish or DYKWIA behavior? I do not think so but it did get quite the response from the east team in their fictitious game of red rover red rover.
Maybe "these lice" had never flown before
#4405
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: USA
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I am taken a bit by "I exclaimed in a slightly elevated and commanding voice". When confronted with similar situations I've generally found that a kindly "Excuse me, folks" is sufficient.
#4406
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2008
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#4407
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
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Haven't developed the appropriate cajones to try that one out yet.
#4408
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: PIT
Programs: US Gold | DL Gold
Posts: 25
In a somewhat related matter, I was flying out of the MSP F gates on Sunday evening, seated alongside the boarding area with my backpack beside me right next to the garbage can. I hear "excuse me" from behind me, and it is one of the flight crew asking to get through between the garbage can and my seat. So of course I move my backpack, thinking it was weird that he was squeezing through there. I look back and see the entire width of the boarding area blocked 2 or 3 people deep with no way for anyone to get through. All I could do was shake my head...
#4409
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: IND
Programs: Hilton Dia, Hyatt Glbl, Marriott Lftm Plat, National EE
Posts: 316
Just look around during the boarding announcement for the the dozen or so pax who obviously travel rarely. Observe their asking each other "what did she say?" and "Who are they boarding now?". OF COURSE they will crowd the GA trying to figure out what they are being asked to do.
Try to have a little empathy...
/RANT
#4410
Join Date: Dec 2011
Programs: DL PM, AA Gold, UA Silver, EI Silver
Posts: 2,036
This is exactly the problem why people crowd the gate area. The GA starts a long convoluted speech that mentions everybody's zone at some point. The PA systems are poorly designed and cannot always be heard beyond 20-30 feet from the GA. Add in the continuous "Attention airport security alert" and "Hello I am mayor Greene" airport announcements, plus the extraordinarily loud BEEP BEEP of the electric carts. Oh and maybe 2 other gates in the area also loading pax.
Just look around during the boarding announcement for the the dozen or so pax who obviously travel rarely. Observe their asking each other "what did she say?" and "Who are they boarding now?". OF COURSE they will crowd the GA trying to figure out what they are being asked to do.
Try to have a little empathy...
/RANT
Just look around during the boarding announcement for the the dozen or so pax who obviously travel rarely. Observe their asking each other "what did she say?" and "Who are they boarding now?". OF COURSE they will crowd the GA trying to figure out what they are being asked to do.
Try to have a little empathy...
/RANT
There is really little call for getting snippy when boarding. Yes, it's annoying to have to get through the crowds, but most people don't care about our silly elite stuff, they just want to get on the plane. A cheery "Excuse me!" usually works just fine, the friendlier the better. The only exception to my placid attitude toward this is when the crowds won't yield to the pre-boarding wheelchairs or other people who are struggling.