Plat in the Back
Feb 20, 2014, 4:08 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Dubai, UAE
Programs: BA Gold, GGL, Virgin Silver, Skywards Platinum, SPG VIP
Posts: 193
Plat in the Back
Hello everyone,
I took a trip in economy recently when the family and I were off on a week's ski vacation, flying out DXB - GVA and back (EK89/90). It was a shock to the system as to how quickly you can go from being recognised, smiled at and taken care of in Business class to a nobody when travelling in Economy regardless of my Platinum status. Probably something well worth reminding oneself of from time to time lest we forget in the cocoon on business class and first!
Admittedly, the outbound flight was marginally better than the return one because on the outbound one, I did have the purser stop by for the usual "welcome back..is there anything we can do for you" talk. No such luck on the way back.
On both sectors, it was very clear that the team in the cabin had no knowledge of status or had bothered to look through the passenger manifest to know what Plat/Gold/Silver members may be in the cabin. Service was just short of rude, rushed and asking for anything out of the ordinary was met with a look that basically said" how dare you? Why don't you just curl up and die?". A request for a bottle of water (we had our 3-month old with us and wifey was breast-feeding and that makes her thirsty) was met with "We don't have any". I stopped myself from asking why they could not just get me a small bottle from business class. I have in the past been offered a glass of champagne from business class so a bottle of water especially when it is clear why we are asking for it should have been a reasonable expectation?
No kids meal for our 2.5 year-old because "We ran out. You should have ordered one". A request for a decaf (again, because she was feeding) coffee from wifey was met with "You will have to wait till we finish the service for the whole cabin". To their credit, they did not forget and did bring it about 45 minutes later just as she was nodding off to sleep. But then it was black and when she asked for some milk in it, the same "I hate you " stare was received, followed by her bringing over some milk in a plastic glass to pour into the now stone-cold cup of decaf coffee. Is it really so hard to get such a simple request right and serve it with some degree of elegance?
There were various other similarly small things that all combined to make for a very forget-worthy flight experience.
Admittedly, all very first-world problems but served as a reminder to me (who sometimes entertains the notion that we may actually mean something to the airline as people given how loyal we are and how much money we shovel their way) just how much of a number we really are ...
I took a trip in economy recently when the family and I were off on a week's ski vacation, flying out DXB - GVA and back (EK89/90). It was a shock to the system as to how quickly you can go from being recognised, smiled at and taken care of in Business class to a nobody when travelling in Economy regardless of my Platinum status. Probably something well worth reminding oneself of from time to time lest we forget in the cocoon on business class and first!
Admittedly, the outbound flight was marginally better than the return one because on the outbound one, I did have the purser stop by for the usual "welcome back..is there anything we can do for you" talk. No such luck on the way back.
On both sectors, it was very clear that the team in the cabin had no knowledge of status or had bothered to look through the passenger manifest to know what Plat/Gold/Silver members may be in the cabin. Service was just short of rude, rushed and asking for anything out of the ordinary was met with a look that basically said" how dare you? Why don't you just curl up and die?". A request for a bottle of water (we had our 3-month old with us and wifey was breast-feeding and that makes her thirsty) was met with "We don't have any". I stopped myself from asking why they could not just get me a small bottle from business class. I have in the past been offered a glass of champagne from business class so a bottle of water especially when it is clear why we are asking for it should have been a reasonable expectation?
No kids meal for our 2.5 year-old because "We ran out. You should have ordered one". A request for a decaf (again, because she was feeding) coffee from wifey was met with "You will have to wait till we finish the service for the whole cabin". To their credit, they did not forget and did bring it about 45 minutes later just as she was nodding off to sleep. But then it was black and when she asked for some milk in it, the same "I hate you " stare was received, followed by her bringing over some milk in a plastic glass to pour into the now stone-cold cup of decaf coffee. Is it really so hard to get such a simple request right and serve it with some degree of elegance?
There were various other similarly small things that all combined to make for a very forget-worthy flight experience.
Admittedly, all very first-world problems but served as a reminder to me (who sometimes entertains the notion that we may actually mean something to the airline as people given how loyal we are and how much money we shovel their way) just how much of a number we really are ...
Feb 20, 2014, 6:18 am
#2
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Ĺhus, KID/CPH
Programs: EK Platinum, Hertz President's Circle, IHG Spire Elite Royal Ambassador
Posts: 204
Yes, there is a big difference in Y and J. I guess that in one third of all the flights that I take in Y, no-one comes and welcomes me. The staff in Y are less senior and lack the experience of the J and F staff, and it shows.
The children's meal always has to be ordered in advance, so you can't fault them there. If you had ordered it, then you would have received one.
If and when the purser comes around, I do always ask for something when they ask... usually I ask if they can bring my meal as a special meal with a bottle of red wine. This usually works but sadly, a large percentage of the time they forget to do even this.
It all depends on the crew lottery... sometimes you win, sometimes you lose!
The children's meal always has to be ordered in advance, so you can't fault them there. If you had ordered it, then you would have received one.
If and when the purser comes around, I do always ask for something when they ask... usually I ask if they can bring my meal as a special meal with a bottle of red wine. This usually works but sadly, a large percentage of the time they forget to do even this.
It all depends on the crew lottery... sometimes you win, sometimes you lose!
Feb 20, 2014, 8:11 am
#3
Join Date: May 2010
Location: BOM
Programs: EK Plat, HHonors Gold
Posts: 2,883
I've traveled a fair bit in Y in both short haul and ulh. I've lowered my expectations in Y specially as it is quite crew dependent. Not that its anything special in J - nowadays it feels more like a chore than a welcome, and they are eager to finish it and be on their way....
Feb 20, 2014, 8:16 am
#4
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Ĺhus, KID/CPH
Programs: EK Platinum, Hertz President's Circle, IHG Spire Elite Royal Ambassador
Posts: 204
I have just booked 4 trips in Y... a total of 16 individual flights with EK (plus 2 on QF and 2 on Jetstar). I will keep a note of how many times I was welcomed back etc. Should be interesting... I will start a new thread tomorrow after the first flight.
Feb 20, 2014, 9:33 am
#5
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 545
I for one can not wait to be told that on X number flights someone who was busy stopped by and made you feel better and how you will never fly EK again because they didn't stop past and dust the dandruff from your collar with a real panda paw that was padded with real Canadian fur seal pups fur.
Ya get what you pay for and get over it. If your that much of a high flyer with a gazzilion company spend what ya doing in Y?
Feb 20, 2014, 1:11 pm
#6
Join Date: Aug 2010
Programs: Skywards Gold, Etihad Gold
Posts: 462
On a recent flight from Perth to Dubai I was sitting in the bulk head seat just behind the business class section. I did get my normal gold meet and greet from the purser. During my flight I reclined my seat, unfortunately for me the guy behind became very aggressive so I was forced to move. On approaching DXB it was nice that the staff did take time out to hunt me down to give me fast track pass, so they do care sometimes. My own experience is on the A380 I have never been greeted and on the 777ER I have always been greeted.
Feb 20, 2014, 2:42 pm
#7
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 9,307
Didn't you realise the age of the kid and the condition of your wife before you flew, and think what you might do different from usual to make their travel more comfortable?
The 4th gripe was that a total stranger never stopped to talk to you.
Maybe public transport isn't for you.
Feb 20, 2014, 2:51 pm
#8
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: 30,000ft
Programs: EK, BA, EY, SQ, IHG, HH, SPG
Posts: 670
Plat in the Back
This is a funny thread! As the OP said first world problems. I think it is good for soul to be ordinary and not be fussed over occasionally. We can all forget myself included that humility is the best human characteristic and if an occasional lack of recognition happens well never mind. I travel in Y from time to time. I actually like to have a low expectation trip. Even as an io have had one or two occasions of being treated normally at least until I got off. I actually enjoyed it. One day we will be older and lose whatever status we have so may as well not take it too seriously and just enjoy the perks when they come. Then again...
Feb 20, 2014, 6:32 pm
#9
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 545
On a recent flight from Perth to Dubai I was sitting in the bulk head seat just behind the business class section. I did get my normal gold meet and greet from the purser. During my flight I reclined my seat, unfortunately for me the guy behind became very aggressive so I was forced to move. On approaching DXB it was nice that the staff did take time out to hunt me down to give me fast track pass, so they do care sometimes. My own experience is on the A380 I have never been greeted and on the 777ER I have always been greeted.
Feb 20, 2014, 9:51 pm
#10
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: JP & UK
Programs: EK Skywards, JL Mileage Bank
Posts: 81
Gold in the back.
Not a Plat, and as far as I can see, never will be, but maintain Gold comfortably. Pay for my own tickets and travel both Y and J, always MAN-DXB-TYO. Generally get very good service in Y - agree that, on average it's better in 777 than 380 and that it is also very crew dependant. But usually very good in Y on both planes - comfortable seat reassignments when available, bottled water and treats on request. I only once had some really bad service (777 as it happens), rude and unhelpful, and asked the FA to call the purser. (Purser had also forgot meet-and-greet).
I was my usual polite and smiling self, taking care to apologise for calling the purser from her more pressing duties, but had firm words and - Magic - suddenly I was beset with politeness, care and consideration for the remainder of the flight ... and bottled water and chocolate from J.
I find that travel in Y sometimes is good for the soul (if not the bum) as it makes flying in J (and occasional upgrades to F) all the more pleasurable. Not sure if I'd have the moral fibre to travel Y if I could always afford J, though.
One of my Japanese friends is a senior manager with a major Japanese telecom outfit, which has a company policy of Y travel for staff (but not for directors.) He tells me that he must travel in Y and that his CEO makes a point of always travelling in Y even though company rules would allow him J or F.
I was my usual polite and smiling self, taking care to apologise for calling the purser from her more pressing duties, but had firm words and - Magic - suddenly I was beset with politeness, care and consideration for the remainder of the flight ... and bottled water and chocolate from J.
I find that travel in Y sometimes is good for the soul (if not the bum) as it makes flying in J (and occasional upgrades to F) all the more pleasurable. Not sure if I'd have the moral fibre to travel Y if I could always afford J, though.
One of my Japanese friends is a senior manager with a major Japanese telecom outfit, which has a company policy of Y travel for staff (but not for directors.) He tells me that he must travel in Y and that his CEO makes a point of always travelling in Y even though company rules would allow him J or F.
Last edited by Tokyobuta; Feb 21, 2014 at 2:03 am Reason: typo
Feb 20, 2014, 10:42 pm
#11
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 5,454
Hello everyone,
I stopped myself from asking why they could not just get me a small bottle from business class. I have in the past been offered a glass of champagne from business class so a bottle of water especially when it is clear why we are asking for it should have been a reasonable expectation?
Admittedly, all very first-world problems but served as a reminder to me (who sometimes entertains the notion that we may actually mean something to the airline as people given how loyal we are and how much money we shovel their way) just how much of a number we really are ...
I stopped myself from asking why they could not just get me a small bottle from business class. I have in the past been offered a glass of champagne from business class so a bottle of water especially when it is clear why we are asking for it should have been a reasonable expectation?
Admittedly, all very first-world problems but served as a reminder to me (who sometimes entertains the notion that we may actually mean something to the airline as people given how loyal we are and how much money we shovel their way) just how much of a number we really are ...
Feb 21, 2014, 1:36 am
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Dubai, UAE
Programs: BA Gold, GGL, Virgin Silver, Skywards Platinum, SPG VIP
Posts: 193
Feb 21, 2014, 1:37 am
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Dubai, UAE
Programs: BA Gold, GGL, Virgin Silver, Skywards Platinum, SPG VIP
Posts: 193
I find that travel in Y sometimes is good for the soul (if not the bum) as it makes flying in J (and occasional upgrades to F) all the more pleasurable. Not sure if I'd have the moral fibre to travel Y if I could always afford J, though.
of always travelling in Y even though company rules would allow him J or F.
Feb 21, 2014, 1:54 am
#14
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: London
Posts: 610
6 years of living in Atlanta and flying Delta cured me of all expectations. I am grateful I earn enough to afford taking the family on international vacations. And yes, I agree that flying Y at least once in a while is necessary for a reality check.
Feb 21, 2014, 2:24 am
#15
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 5,454
Last edited by eternaltransit; Feb 21, 2014 at 2:29 am