I'd be scared if EK knew, as I've certainly never told them

I'm sure they're very capable of knowing who is who.

100%. I've accidentally posted screenshots of my account with my name not blanked out until someone else pointed it out and I edited the post, I've sent EK links to FT threads with suggestions for improvements via Twitter DM, I've shared specific flight and seat numbers which would allow EK to just look at a manifest. But I doubt they're proactively doing this, thus I doubt there is any actual link recorded on EK systems. It's something I've wondered about many times.

As to how many CPT based Golds who fly mostly Y, probably more than a handful. Also I was based in HYD for a long time buying tickets originating from there, and have also bought lots of ex-JNB tickets, so that might throw them off.

What if you fly using a non-Skywards number? Guessing no notes for me? Or is there an alternate way to identify people?

Notes are for (at least) ALL EK status flyers

Unlikely. The offers EK sends to my email address registered for my skywards account are economy (befitting what is now blue status). They seem oblivious to my frequent travels on EK in first and business under QF and other FFPs.

In your account preferences you can specify your preferred class of service. It's probably as simple as being based on that.

Notes are for everyone - but the Purser tablet is only really going to have Skywards pax on it and even then, it may not have the full "pax special profile" on it :D

Are those notes supposed to be confidential, or can it be given to pax ?

Supposed to be confidential, I would expect - but given EK and the UAE's attitude toward information security you'd probably only get it clamped down on after a few firings...

Notes are for ALL passengers, regardless of whether Skywards members and/or with or without status.

If a pax (no skywards / no status) is difficult or has a problem on a flight / has a birthday / loses something etc etc then notes can be added and attached to that passenger to forewarn others about behaviour and/or give chance for service recovery. Your behaviour will follow you.... and crew can determine when such notes expire.

EK is not alone in implementing this system.

The majority of passengers (and Skywards members) seldom have many notes unless they're complete .......s or unless they've suffered a service issue. Things like drink preference etc and aisle / window preference are all recorded in Skywards account page.

Omg, I would hate to see my husbands. He is the King of Complaints. Yikes! He literally moans if it takes them over 10 mins to bring his water. I'm cringing thinking about it.

It would be great if the notes contained a running total of the amount of flights you have taken. That way when some obnoxious z begins his complaint even before take off with the usual "do you know how many times I have flown with EK?" the FA can calmly reply with "yes, this is only your second time and we know you are flying on a cheap email upgrade...."