One Mile at a Time [OMaaT] discussions [merged]
Aug 1, 2016, 5:57 am
#2342
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: DCA/IAD/WAS
Programs: MAR AMB, WOH Explorist, AA EXP, UA 2P
Posts: 2,138
I can say that, without a doubt, Lucky receives special treatment on Etihad. I flew the inaugural AUH-> JFK A380 flight on a paid first class ticket in the Apartment immediately behind Lucky's.
From the very beginning, he received special treatment--they had a reserved area for him in the lounge, and he had a handler of sorts that hovered and ensured that his champagne glass was never empty. Meanwhile, I never got so much as a greeting.
On board, the flight crew spent easily 3x the time in his Apartment than they did in that of anyone else on board (aside from the person staying in the Residence, of course). They were constantly chatting him up and were far more proactive than I've ever seen on Etihad. Meanwhile, my service was the same prompt, polite, but indifferent and reactive service that is a hallmark of my EY first class experiences.
I'm not upset about it--my flight was still great, and the level of attention that Lucky received would have even made me uncomfortable (although he seemed to love it), but after reading the write-up on his blog later, it was even more clear that we had wildly different experiences despite being literally right next to each other on the same flight, in the same class of service. I still enjoy his blog, but I read knowing that his experiences might not reflect those of the average traveler.
From the very beginning, he received special treatment--they had a reserved area for him in the lounge, and he had a handler of sorts that hovered and ensured that his champagne glass was never empty. Meanwhile, I never got so much as a greeting.
On board, the flight crew spent easily 3x the time in his Apartment than they did in that of anyone else on board (aside from the person staying in the Residence, of course). They were constantly chatting him up and were far more proactive than I've ever seen on Etihad. Meanwhile, my service was the same prompt, polite, but indifferent and reactive service that is a hallmark of my EY first class experiences.
I'm not upset about it--my flight was still great, and the level of attention that Lucky received would have even made me uncomfortable (although he seemed to love it), but after reading the write-up on his blog later, it was even more clear that we had wildly different experiences despite being literally right next to each other on the same flight, in the same class of service. I still enjoy his blog, but I read knowing that his experiences might not reflect those of the average traveler.
Aug 1, 2016, 9:25 am
#2343
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Omaha, NE
Programs: Marriott Gold, Delta, AMEX Membership Rewards
Posts: 140
Aug 1, 2016, 3:51 pm
#2346
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: DFW
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold, Admirals Club, Global Entry
Posts: 1,141
Remember when I said a few posts up that those weird "jealous of Ben" comments had essentially disappeared? Well, one of you has proven me wrong. Great. I mean, really, why even bother with that sort of thing?
Anyway, on to (yet) another One Mile at a Time post that's noteworthy, this time about Saudia.
I don't even know where to start. And the comments are even more eye-opening than the original post.
Even Ben's usual No. 1 troll was reduced to being serious for once: "This is how they treat women in front of well educated well paying travelers. Think how they treat maids from Phillipines, and India and Indonesia etc."
I'll just say that my eyes have been opened considerably.
Anyone read Voltaire's Candide? Well, this is real life.
http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.c...807.1459012379
Anyway, on to (yet) another One Mile at a Time post that's noteworthy, this time about Saudia.
I don't even know where to start. And the comments are even more eye-opening than the original post.
Even Ben's usual No. 1 troll was reduced to being serious for once: "This is how they treat women in front of well educated well paying travelers. Think how they treat maids from Phillipines, and India and Indonesia etc."
I'll just say that my eyes have been opened considerably.
Anyone read Voltaire's Candide? Well, this is real life.
http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.c...807.1459012379
Aug 1, 2016, 4:40 pm
#2348
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: DL PM; IHG PlatAmb; Hilton Dia; Marriott Plat; Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 7,326
Remember when I said a few posts up that those weird "jealous of Ben" comments had essentially disappeared? Well, one of you has proven me wrong. Great. I mean, really, why even bother with that sort of thing?
Anyway, on to (yet) another One Mile at a Time post that's noteworthy, this time about Saudia.
I don't even know where to start. And the comments are even more eye-opening than the original post.
Even Ben's usual No. 1 troll was reduced to being serious for once: "This is how they treat women in front of well educated well paying travelers. Think how they treat maids from Phillipines, and India and Indonesia etc."
I'll just say that my eyes have been opened considerably.
Anyone read Voltaire's Candide? Well, this is real life.
http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.c...807.1459012379
Anyway, on to (yet) another One Mile at a Time post that's noteworthy, this time about Saudia.
I don't even know where to start. And the comments are even more eye-opening than the original post.
Even Ben's usual No. 1 troll was reduced to being serious for once: "This is how they treat women in front of well educated well paying travelers. Think how they treat maids from Phillipines, and India and Indonesia etc."
I'll just say that my eyes have been opened considerably.
Anyone read Voltaire's Candide? Well, this is real life.
http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.c...807.1459012379
I agree that the service Ben seems to have had was subpar. But the strange part is how shocked he is. Does he really think cheap business class fares that he finds are all going to be "oh thank you mr. Ben."? He's so used to being served that he takes it for granted.
And omg the Hyatt thought the American tourist who didn't leave the hotel even for dinner might want some local flavor!
(If his reservation wasn't flagged by Hyatts PR team to be given extra treatment.)
Aug 2, 2016, 5:36 am
#2349
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: DFW
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold, Admirals Club, Global Entry
Posts: 1,141
Adam: Yes, at first, but then I added the word "Voltaire" and the stylistic effect was unfortunately mostly ruined; but I've slowly figured out that there are some folks around here who didn't exactly major or minor in, or even study, English (or rather French) . . . if you know what I mean.
More to the point, the most recent blog post in our series is on Saudia's on-board prayer room. The comments are really something to see. Trust me.
In my humble opinion, this series is one of the blog's most entertaining ever. Don't miss it (or the comments)!
More to the point, the most recent blog post in our series is on Saudia's on-board prayer room. The comments are really something to see. Trust me.
In my humble opinion, this series is one of the blog's most entertaining ever. Don't miss it (or the comments)!
Aug 2, 2016, 7:41 am
#2350
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: DC
Posts: 360
But the strange part is how shocked he is. Does he really think cheap business class fares that he finds are all going to be "oh thank you mr. Ben."?
Scheduling is already complicated as it is.
And this particular Saudia flight was cheap because they started their trip in Sri Lanka, if they had it started anywhere else it would have been much more expensive. Would the crew have a "cheat sheet" with the name of passengers who paid more or less and then treat them accordingly? Yeah right.
Aug 2, 2016, 8:09 am
#2351
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: DL PM; IHG PlatAmb; Hilton Dia; Marriott Plat; Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 7,326
I would find it very surprising that airlines go to such troubles as to appoint crappy crews to the cheapest flights.
Scheduling is already complicated as it is.
And this particular Saudia flight was cheap because they started their trip in Sri Lanka, if they had it started anywhere else it would have been much more expensive. Would the crew have a "cheat sheet" with the name of passengers who paid more or less and then treat them accordingly? Yeah right.
Scheduling is already complicated as it is.
And this particular Saudia flight was cheap because they started their trip in Sri Lanka, if they had it started anywhere else it would have been much more expensive. Would the crew have a "cheat sheet" with the name of passengers who paid more or less and then treat them accordingly? Yeah right.
Yes, service varies based on routes.
But that's not what I was talking about. This flight was cheap not just because of it being Colombo-based, but because it was Saudia. One should not expect the same service on Saudia as they do on Cathay. I just picked a random date in September for CMB-CMN in business class. Saudia was $512 one way; every other carrier was over $1500. Emirates is $1800. So, yes, Ben should not expect his Saudia flight to be similar in service as a flight that would cost 3.5x as much.
This shows more in his second Saudia post, which wasn't a Colombo flight, but still was full of complaints about "inefficiency."
Last edited by Adam1222; Aug 2, 2016 at 8:21 am
Aug 2, 2016, 8:31 am
#2352
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Virginia, USA
Posts: 4,511
I thought the first Saudia post was really interesting-especially the part about the male FAs goofing off and partying. Clearly, those weren't "real" FA jobs and the men occupying those positions knew it. Sort of like labor unions padding constructions jobs with "workers" sitting around watching the action.
Aug 2, 2016, 8:45 am
#2353
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: DC
Posts: 360
I think you may be surprised, then.
Yes, service varies based on routes.
Yes, service varies based on routes.
But you were not saying that, you were saying that service varies based on pricing of a particular flight, which is quite different. That would implicate that a JFK-LHR flight would have different service if the customer bought the ticket last minute or on a promotion 5 months before the flight.
Aug 2, 2016, 9:15 am
#2354
Original Member, Ambassador: External Miles and Points Resources
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Digital Nomad Wandering the Earth - Currently in LIMA, PERU
Posts: 58,626
I thought the first Saudia post was really interesting-especially the part about the male FAs goofing off and partying. Clearly, those weren't "real" FA jobs and the men occupying those positions knew it. Sort of like labor unions padding constructions jobs with "workers" sitting around watching the action.
Then again it's tough to have a champagne party on a dry airline (which is one reason I will never, ever fly Saudia).
Aug 2, 2016, 9:29 am
#2355
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 48,187
He also mentioned some FAs patting him down in CMB. On my recent flights to/from URC on 3U and CZ we also had 2-3 sky marshalls in FA uniform sitting in the F and Y cabin pretending to be regular passengers but in uniform. @:-)