Ditto. Although it is nice when crew/lounge staff remember you. A bit scary when the cleaners in the lounge remember you. Downright freaky when the folk trying to sign up FF-affiliated credit card in the airport remember you (despite never taking up the offer). I am still not sure how to react when immigration officers remember you.

LOL :D

KF, you are the air equiv. of a Road Warrior and no mistake !

Still could be worst though - when I last arrived at LHR the guy at immigration also remembered me... cos we were in the same class at school together ! We were never friends, so it was all rather awkward/bizarre... could hardly ask him "So what are you up to these days ?" could I ?!?

I guess not.

I forgot to mention the examples I gave above mostly apply to 3 different countries!

As for a sub-culture, couldn't agree more (does that mean less cultured than others?).

Seriously though, if one of our fellow FTers has been told by QF that they are in the "Top 200" of WPs in QF, then that, surely, is proof that there is a category of high value WPs and another category of lower value WPs. As touched on in another thread, if there is substantial travel in A or D, then there is a pretty good chance that that person is not in the top 200!

AFAIK, the only thing staff onboard can use to identify particular passengers is the manifest.

I don't believe the manifest contains any special codes as to who to chat to, who to offer that additional wine to etc. It does however have a few things such as FF status, If you are a VIP etc etc etc.

Think what happens is the CSM runs their eye down the manifest. Picks out the Plats (and other special guests) and tries to see them and say hello. The number they choose and how effective it is depends on how well they can spot the Plat designator, how many there are, what mood they are in, and how easy it is to get to the pax.

Used to happen a lot during the late 90's in my previous Emerald existance; but bacame a rare event as as a Sapphire.

Often the last question/statement is along the lines of "If there is anything I can do .... just ask". I have found the best thing here, especially when sitting in whY, is to ask for a newspaper. This is quite achievable for the CSM.

This works all round, as I get a paper to read and the CSM's have satisfied their duty in ensuring this elite is "comfortable".

I've been greeted by name since attaining PS (now SG). I fly at least once a week domestically (mostly red-e, sigh) and would guess that I am greeted 95% of the time. But perhaps with op-ups there is some stratification - there does seem to be.

Aus_MD

Could this have something to do with the CIP notation on the BP?

Even as a G-man on K or lower fares I always get a CIP with QF and generally attain my preference for forward seating/greeting.

Maybe WP's should insist on mandatory CIP as part of their bennies.....

I find it's depenent on the crew and their demeanour on the day. Monday, SYD-OOL I was greeted by name, from seeing it on my BP - which is nice.

I was wondering about that CIP notation... :)

AUS_MD

Never had an in-seat greeting, but then again I'm only a OW Sapphire (AA Plat).

Soon after obtaining my mid-tier status I was boarding a QF flight and the FA checking the boarding pass did say something like, "Nice to have you aboard again Mr in CBR". In a way it was a bit cheesy (he's OW Sapphire - he's obviously flown with us before) but it was also a nice gesture. Not at all awkward, and no extra time required, but a little extra something.

Indeed. Its the little touches like this that can make all the difference.

I have, personally, had this many a time too, on QF, BA, even on AA. But only on CX have I had them come find me in my seat due to my status to say Hi, welcome back (I lie, had it once on QF... not counting the OpUps of course ! ;) :cool: ), but it has happened on almost every CX flight I have been on (both as an SG and a WP).

And its quite funny to watch on CX, btw, espec. if you are in Y... the CSM/D/what ever s/he is called on CX is walking through the plane with the manifest in his/her hand, finding the pax s/he is gonna give a special Hi to and does so while completely ignoring every other pax !!!

The strangest looks though, espec. in Y, are from other pax - they assume you are a minor celeb. that they don't recognise ! 'Why else would they come and say hi to him ?!?', they think, you can see it on their faces, and one guy asked me outright once why I was so special ! I confirmed to him that his initial impression that I was not so special was quite correct ! ;)

The pax list always has CIP status on it.

QF OOL-SYD today the very harried crew used my name on boarding (off the boarding pass), returning my coat (using same methodology) and as disembarking, walking with FA, she used my name in discussion without prompts. Nice :)

My most memorable in-seat greeting was my last F flight (a points upgrade from D) SYD-LAX. The greeting was by the captain about 2 hours into the flight. I had just finished my meal, and ended up sharing several coffees with the captain as he sat in my "buddy" seat for almost an hour as we discussed his involvement with HARS, flying the "Connie", Neptune and Drover, and changes in aviation in recent years.

He was the same captain who had previously offered me a jump-seat landing into LAX. He remembered me as well as me remembering him. Since he could not invite me into his office, we conducted business in my office this time :D . His is also known to others here as a contributor to another aviation forum.

I am sure some other F passengers must have thought I was seated in F as a friend/guest of the captain, but there was no such influence. I recognised his name when the CSD introduced him over the PA and I was pleased to see him come to the F cabin to personally greet all the F pax. He started at 4A and worked forward, then back to me seated in 4K.

I wonder if the excellent service I received for the rest of the flight was a result of the cabin crew noting how much time the captain spent speaking with me :cool: .

Nice! It's a nice way to make a trip memorable! I miss the jump-seat rides too.