Tips on how to convince a lounge dragon...
#91
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: NAP
Programs: LH, BA, TK
Posts: 2,394
I can't help but just sympathize with the OP.
May have something to do with the fact at 16yo I didn't even know the existence of airport lounges, let alone flying the world on such nonchalance tiptoe style, mileage runs, and the likes.
You do have good point Ahmed777, I perfectly see your right to enjoy the lounge benefits, minus the booze. Now just let the dust settle (this thread on first page won't help you) and play the 'customer' card, writing a nice letter to EK.
Even big corporation like EK with consistent process can have gray areas yet to address, due the small volume some issue generally draws.
A young customer with a shiny flying future in the sky could be worth a further attention.
May have something to do with the fact at 16yo I didn't even know the existence of airport lounges, let alone flying the world on such nonchalance tiptoe style, mileage runs, and the likes.
You do have good point Ahmed777, I perfectly see your right to enjoy the lounge benefits, minus the booze. Now just let the dust settle (this thread on first page won't help you) and play the 'customer' card, writing a nice letter to EK.
Even big corporation like EK with consistent process can have gray areas yet to address, due the small volume some issue generally draws.
A young customer with a shiny flying future in the sky could be worth a further attention.

#92
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Durban, South Africa | LHR
Programs: Emirates Skywards Gold | South African Airways Voyager Gold
Posts: 863
I can't help but just sympathize with the OP.
May have something to do with the fact at 16yo I didn't even know the existence of airport lounges, let alone flying the world on such nonchalance tiptoe style, mileage runs, and the likes.
You do have good point Ahmed777, I perfectly see your right to enjoy the lounge benefits, minus the booze. Now just let the dust settle (this thread on first page won't help you) and play the 'customer' card, writing a nice letter to EK.
Even big corporation like EK with consistent process can have gray areas yet to address, due the small volume some issue generally draws.
A young customer with a shiny flying future in the sky could be worth a further attention.
May have something to do with the fact at 16yo I didn't even know the existence of airport lounges, let alone flying the world on such nonchalance tiptoe style, mileage runs, and the likes.
You do have good point Ahmed777, I perfectly see your right to enjoy the lounge benefits, minus the booze. Now just let the dust settle (this thread on first page won't help you) and play the 'customer' card, writing a nice letter to EK.
Even big corporation like EK with consistent process can have gray areas yet to address, due the small volume some issue generally draws.
A young customer with a shiny flying future in the sky could be worth a further attention.
I will try writing to EK in the near future. I hope that I am able to inspire some change.


#93
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: TLV
Programs: UA Platinum, Avis Chairman, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold, GA Pilot
Posts: 3,216
Because the whole point of a bulletin board like FT is to talk with like minded people about specific issues they raise, and then provide helpful comment and advice. There are other specific forums within FT (like Omni/Omni PR) where you can in essence, knock yourself out with all the analogies you like. But not here.

#94
Ambassador: Emirates Airlines
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Manchester, UK
Posts: 17,197
So you're telling me that if someone is subject to age discrimination by an airline and I suggest that this would be similar to racial discrimination by that airline, that I need to have that discussion on OMNI/PR instead of on the forum about that particular airline that is doing the discriminating?
Great analogy, we'll done. ^

#95
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 16
Tips on how to convince a lounge dragon...
I think a lot of you are being harsh on Ahmed's 'whining'. This is FT and a lot of the posts are complaining about one thing or the other.

#96
Join Date: Sep 2013
Programs: BAEC Gold, EK Skywards (enhanced Blue !), Oman Air Sindbad Gold
Posts: 5,859

#98
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Auckland NZ
Programs: SQ TPPS, EK Gold, IHG RA, Marriott Gold Hyatt Diamond, HHonors Gold, UA Premier Gold, TG Silver
Posts: 1,092
So you're telling me that if someone is subject to age discrimination by an airline and I suggest that this would be similar to racial discrimination by that airline, that I need to have that discussion on OMNI/PR instead of on the forum about that particular airline that is doing the discriminating?

#99
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Durban, South Africa | LHR
Programs: Emirates Skywards Gold | South African Airways Voyager Gold
Posts: 863

#100
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 42,162
Your complaint is a reasonable one imo and this thread better than those around on fora of people trying to abuse the guest facilities by posting requests for someone to take them into a lounge as a guest

#101
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Oxon, UK
Programs: Mucci des canapes, Skywards Gold, BAEC Gold, IC Plat Amb, Accor Gold
Posts: 1,913
This is something that you have written / complained about in the past and EK have been consistent in the application of this rule in DXB in your case. It seems certain that they are not about to change their approach on this one. It clearly bothers you (and I have some sympathy with the issue if not with the exagerated language).
I believe that much of your travel is between SA and the UK. Have you checked if either BA or SAA has the same lounge policy? If they don't maybe you should give them a try until you reach 18 (or at least until the EK lounge supervisors have forgotten you).
Last edited by pomkiwi; Oct 24, 14 at 1:20 am

#102
Join Date: Sep 2013
Programs: BAEC Gold, EK Skywards (enhanced Blue !), Oman Air Sindbad Gold
Posts: 5,859
The complaint - in itself - is reasonable.
I think what so many people here have found less reasonable is Ahmed's general attitude ("I demand a shower" ), along with his repeated refusal to accept EK's enforcement of access restrictions, due to policy as advised to him personally by lounge staff (and as stated on the official EK website)
As to your view that the thread is "better than those around on fora of people trying to abuse guest facilities ........ "
Hmm. Well at least we don't see Ahmed trying to do anything similarly inappropriate/undesirable, do we....?
Oh, hang on a minute ......apart maybe from :
- risking the jobs of EK personnel by means of hard cash ("it was a half-bribe, half-tip" Ahmed tells us flippantly)
- telling lies ("pretending that my parents were inside")
- looking for new ways to circumvent the rule ("maybe it would be a good idea to go down to the gate and find a random to take in")
ft101 - your post (6.25am) is very, very funny, and requires me to promptly revise my previous decision re Post-of-the-Thread Award .....!!
(I have a hunch, just a hunch, that even Ahmed himself will find some amusement in it .....


#104
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Auckland NZ
Programs: SQ TPPS, EK Gold, IHG RA, Marriott Gold Hyatt Diamond, HHonors Gold, UA Premier Gold, TG Silver
Posts: 1,092
But you haven't been discriminated against or threatened, have you? It seems you simply don't agree with the airline's rules and have tried several unethical/bullying ways to get around them. Unacceptable behaviour from a person of any age. And it's a continuing theme in your posts. If you were as mature as you appear to think you are, you would heed the messages being given to you and take personal accountability for adjusting your behaviour.

#105
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Near Boulder, CO
Posts: 3,456
Final Mod Comment
Folks, this is getting close to the line now (eg thread closure). The OP has the same right as anyone else on FT to express an opinion. What we need to be mindful of is the subsequent discussion is getting personal. Remember, focus on the topic not the individual.
If we were all sitting around having a coffee, how would the conversation continue? As a series of personal attacks or as a lively debate?
If we were all sitting around having a coffee, how would the conversation continue? As a series of personal attacks or as a lively debate?
