Exactly; however, that is why I get more ticked off when I see that kind of behavior in FC. I've upgraded to get away from it. You expect a little of it in Coach, but I hate wasting my miles to upgrade and then have some screaming baby or loud slob be right behind me.

This is why the F/C cabin is oft referred to as "Twelve Angry Men"! The level of self importance is staggering.

As a US CP I often use my 6'2", 265lb body to block the ET's (Elite Turds) from trampling the women, children, old and infirm. I have verbally confronted and physically blocked ET's clamoring that they a "Gold" and need to cut into line.
last time in ATL, guy is trying to cut in front of about 40 elites say "they told to come up here I'm a Gold!" I smiled and stepped directly between him and the G/A and smiled "Well I'm a Chairman so you'll just have to step aside" The G/A clutches my hand and mouthes "Thank You" as I pass. Well turns out because of me he boarded next to last and boy was he hot. He called me a name and the whole F/C cabin laughed at him. Should I have done that? I don't know but it felt really good at the time! Especially since beating him up wasn't an option LOL

This is really a gate agent thing. Many of these people have decided that with the front cabin full of upgrades, they deserve no special handling. The companies feed this notion, by openly complaining to the help that their volume customers (that's us) don't pay enough, and that's why they're losing their jobs. Two observations. Aircraft boarding has become a little like the buffet brunch, where the crowd acts like the stuff will run out. Secondly, this whole business of preboarding lends itself to abuse. On flights to Florida, sometimes half the plane gets on ahead of everybody (including the front cabin). A lot of times, stuff seems to have found its way into the First Class overheads. When the process occurs in a hub, where everything but the water cooler has some sort of elite status, it's a stampede. If the gate folks won't sort it out, you'll always have this, until they pull all the First Class seats. With all these guys downsizing to RJ's and lowfare subsidiaries (like"Song"), this thread will soon become unnecessary anyway.

Exactly, if the gate agents actually took control over the boarding area, problem would be 95% solved.

But I'm sure its not in their union job descriptions

<<As a US CP I often use my 6'2", 265lb body to block the ET's (Elite Turds) from trampling the women, children, old and infirm.>>

A rollaboard also works well to slow the crush down when you have someone trying to walk with a cane or assistence from being stampeded http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif. Simply position it at an angle and unless the fool climbs over it drawing more attention to themselves, or they bump into it when you can politely and sarcasticly say "Excuse me?" which usually puts them back on their heels.

A couple of nits to add to what has already been pointed out in this thread include:

1. Dont use the FC cabin as a conf. room or chat room. There are others probally trying to work, relax, or sleep. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

2. Look before you slam your seat back to the fully recline position and recline sloowwlllyy so as to not hit a sudden "thump" and stop. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

3. Keep your kids under control or on a leash and the aisle is not a play pen. THe first time or it might be cute, however having small children running up and down the aisle of any cabin is not only not pleasent its unsafe. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

4. If the cabin is full, dont be a bin hog by laying flat "designer" breif cases and jackets in the overhead bin, use the space under your seat. I would hate to have to accidentaly place my roller board or other bag on top of them. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

5. If you really want to see what Im working on or doing, dont keep leaning over and snooping, simply ask! You might not like the answer I give you http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif.

6. Thank you, eye contact, and appropriately using the FAs name can go a long way.

I hope none of these points step on any ft'ers toes, feets, or emotions and so, oh well, have a good flight anyway http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif.


BTW - If someone does want to cut in front, them anty up and play a quick hand of seat number cards. IIf you have 2A, on domestic there are only four seats with a better number other than the crew!

Relax, be polite, use common sense, and enjoy your next flight...

I'm not sure. Using someone's name seems to me like it assumes a level of familiarity that is uncomfortable and perhaps inappropriate. Remembering, of course, that employees typically do not choose to wear name tags.

Personally, I think sir/ma'am is more appropriate. You can recognize me on a plane (in a grocery store/department store/etc) pretty easily. I'm the one who's first contact with am employee sounds something like, "Good morning, sir. How are you doing today?" and "I'm well, thank you." Of course, I was raised down south. Some people would probably say I'm too formal, but I can't help it.

For the experts, my question is slightly related and I was curious when I saw it happen on recent flights.

Is it proper for coach passengers use the FC restroom?

I would have never considered that when traveling in coach--only in an emergency situation--and what I saw wasn't emergency.

No. I've seen people in the first row or two of coach use them, and that doesn't bother me; if the roles were reversed I'd much rather take the 10-foot walk to the lav than hike to the back of the plane. However, it's the line of other coach passengers that starts queuing up in the FC cabin that does bother me.... they all figure if it was okay for the first guy, it's okay for them, even though they're seated in 27F. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

<<I'm not sure. Using someone's name seems to me like it assumes a level of familiarity that is uncomfortable and perhaps inappropriate. Remembering, of course, that employees typically do not choose to wear name tags.>>
The key word is "appropriate". Use what is appropriate however treat with respect. You can always write the complaint letter latter if needed http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

Not only is it against regs not to wear a name tag - I also have a theory that those FA that don't are usually the most impolite!

Please see these progressively-more-angry recent threads from the AS forum. After weeks of debate the consensus was yes if you are a person who usually flies coach and no if you are usually an FC traveller. According to the airline (AS) it is not appropriate.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum8/HTML/001132.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum8/HTML/001144.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum8/HTML/001294.html


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-alan in sitges, home of Si-Do

Here again, it's the airlines. They insist on using planes designed to go 600 miles on trips of 2500 miles. It's a law of physics. 3 cans for 150 people over 5 hours equals a line in the First Class aisle.

Unless he or she have four stripes on their shoulder boards. That person should be addressed as captain.

Trying to push your way in front of the handicaps is definitely rude and out of line. Most airlines I see, though, try to avoid this by boarding the wheelchair passengers and unaccompanied minors before they make any announcements.

With families, though, there's confusion over what counts and, frankly, an entitlement mentality among some that I think leads to conflict with the entitlement mentality with FCs and elites. It doesn't make for a good mix.

None of which excuses blatantly rude behavior; it just points to the need for a better way of handling things. Or being clearer and more consistent with the way you've got.

one of my favorite little victories:

i was at the end of the preboard group, when some guy came pushing his way through the line. he cut in front of me, saying "get out of my way, i'm an elite." then he paused, turned to me and asked "wait... are you an elite?" i just nodded, and he sheepishly went to the back of the line.