First class lack of courtesy....
 

On a recent flight from BUF-DTW the GA called a preboard for people needing assistance and families with infant children. There were 2 wheelchairs and 4 families with kids under 2 boarding this flight. The first wheelchair and 1 family made it past the ticket counter before it was flooded with FC cabin passengers, some of whom obviously "cut" in front of the second wheelchair bound passenger.

I was appalled at this behavior. By the time the GA called for first class pax to board, there were only 2 of us left. Is the overhead space really at such a premium that we have to bully our way in front of people in wheelchairs and those carrying infant children? Or maybe it was the rush for the pre-flight drink...

Being one of the last FC pax on board in a cabin that was at best 50% full, I found plenty of overhead and was still offered a drink, even after letting the rest of the preboards on ahead of me.

Is it just me, or are the FC cabin pax getting pushier and pushier in boarding these days?

There is never a good reason or acceptabe basis to be rude, inconsiderate of others and behave as described above in this topic.

The fact that a pax has status on Northwest or any other airline does not give them permission to be obnoxious or inconsiderate to other pax.

Those of you that disregard the welfare or other pax have lost your American values/common decency or compassion for pax that have disabilities or handicaps,

Try and show common curtesy.

rc

I never cease to be amazed at the rudeness of fellew pax - cutting in front at the gate (all those elites) - hitting you on the head with the shoulder bag as they pass on the plane, to standing in front of you as you wait for your luggage.

As someone who operated a wheelchair for my mother-in-law for 13 years, I know how they hurt when rammed into the back of some rude jerk's heels http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

The NW agent should have politely but firmly told those clowns to hold up a minute.

It could be worse, we had to wait a LONG time to board in Kona because HA had to bring some kind of modified forklift up to the plane to get the wheelchair passengers off before they could push up the walkway.

Also, I'm not sure why airlines don't allow families to pre-board much anymore. It only makes sense since children are the most difficult (sometimes) to get on a plane. If they'd get the hard ones out of the way first, the rest would go easy.

I don't know what it is with airports...It's like people check their brains to their final destination at the counter.

Maybe they should bring back secondary at the gate screening again. Nobody wanted to rush to get in line right away when they were doing that. Of course I'm just kidding, but I too think we should wait until called and if they call special needs first then they should go first. However, I usually notice NW agents boarding psgrs. in wheelchairs before any announcements are made. Which is good.

I've noticed the preboard begins with those customers in wheelchairs or with walkers, etc. (I think their politically correct verbiage is "those needing extra time or assistance in boarding".)

I believe only families with infants are included in preboarding as they need time to get baby's car seat set up, etc. (The families that barge up with 10-17 year olds amaze me). Then they move to First class, exit rows, then NW, KL, CO and DL Elites, then general boarding.

I think it's pretty cool the way they include "NW, KL, CO and DL Elites" in the preboard announcement. Anyone know if CO or DL make reference to the other "Alliance Partner Elites" in their preboards?

Edited to add more/clarify info

[This message has been edited by supercalifragilistic (edited 08-24-2003).]

One of the "problems" in pre-boarding is the way the various GA handle the situation. In NRT it seems very dis-organized....and in some areas, a GA is more forceful in expressing her/him self in such a manner as to aleviate some of the difficulties. If the GA "whispers" and simply walks around holding up a small cardboard sign...it seems to signal some rude people to "charge ahead"...I think their script should be uniform and stated more forcefully: i.e. "WE ARE NOW PREBOARDING THOSE IN NEED OF EXTRA ASSISTANCE - OTHER PASSENGERS ARE REMINDED TO AVOID BLOCKING THE GATE AREA....ETC. ETC. ETC." Some GA simply whisper the details and go through it so fast - I sometimes wonder what language they were speaking! The GA need a little refresher and some uniformity... (just my opinion and observations)

The best way to pre-board wheel chair pax's is with no announcement. The GA quietly approaches them before hand and lets them board 5 minutes before any announcement over the public address system.

SunLover

I don't think this is even an airline issues. Americans, more or less, have lost all respect for their fellow citizens. People basically treat each other like dirt most of the time now.

My personal "favorite": Taking off their shoes and resting their feet up on the bulkhead in front of row 1. Did someone's mommy actually teach them that at home?

If people wouldn't stand (read crowd the jetway entrance) in front of the jet way and let other through, a lot of this could be solved, I think these people who are not currently boarding are as rude as the ones who cut the line

While there are certainly disgustingly rude first class and elite travelers, as described above and as I have also seen myself, let's not get carried away assuming this trait is limited to or even more prominent in these groups, compared with non-elite coach travelers. The biggest reason I try and fly up front whenever possible is because I find the people up front generally MORE polite and courteous, e.g., they are less rowdy, less likely to put smelly feet up on the back of your seat or let their kids kick it, and less likely to be sloppy in the bathrooms.

And as for Americans getting more impolite, they may be getting ruder on an objective scale, but relative to some other airline travelers, e.g., from Asia or some third world countries, I'm not so sure Americans are worse. Ever see a boarding scene on a wide-body flight headed for China, where it seems everyone feels they have to instantly crowd around the gate to press on board even though only special needs and first class have been called? Or how about the crowds in some Mexican cities, where even the concept of a "line" appears to be a foreign concept?

To me, the key benefit of accruing miles is to help get away from a lot of the rudeness and crudeness often (though not always) seen in coach.

Funny how things change so quickly...

I remember after 9/11 when the airlines were finally free to fly the skies again how courteous, friendly and polite everyone was, even for several months after the attacks...I thought IF there was anything good to come from the tragedy...we had become better people, looking out for our fellow citizen...now it's back to the "all about me" attitude. I see the same thing in deplaning an aircraft and was actually screamed at a couple of weeks ago when I asked a lady to wait a moment when stepping off the aircraft so that we could get a wheelchair passenger turned around and headed up the jetway...I was dumbfounded someone would be so inconsiderate.

Welcome to the (Rude and )Lazy States of Amerika

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.

How is that possible? A plane designed to go 600 miles will run out of fuel long before you reach 2500 miles.

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"Where's my money?" -- Pizza the Hutt

yeah yeah.

I had an impossibly loud, honking, drunk Canadian woman/bimbo behind me on the way home from YWG tonight, who made instant bestest-ever friends with aonther impossibly loud, honking, drunk older woman of indeterminate citizenship (she kept croaking "gawd I need a cigarette!") across the aisle on a NW/Pinnacle Barbie Jet. between the two it was impossible to avoid the honking screeches even with the iPod on full-blast and the Bose NR 'phones firmly clamped to my skull. the older croaking one got up while taxiing to the gate at MSP, even. it was hilarious.

too bad there's no arbiter of taste at the gate... however the FA was an absolute scream. the Pinnacle FAs seem a lot less uptight that NW mainline FAs.

j I know she was Canadian because she said so about 50 times at 150 decibels to make sure the entire province of Manitoba knew it b.

Re: How to lower the noise inflight

I always carry a pair of custom made ear plugs (for times that the there are noisy pax's nearby) that reduce noise between 25-30 decibels.

It cost about $100. for good ear plugs, it's an invest if you travel a lot, and definetely worth every cent!

This year I've only had to use them 3 times when other pax were yelling.

RC