This is a pre-judging announcement
Aug 4, 2019 | 5:06 pm
#107
Join Date: May 2019
Posts: 34
I've had this a couple of times. I don't mind "Can I see your boarding pass please?", but I do get irritated by "Economy is that way, sir." or "This queue isn't for you.". It shouldn't matter what class I'm flying in, politeness should be extended to all passengers! Please check my boarding pass before making a judgement about entitlement.
I know the various queue lines need to be protected, but a simple change in tone can avoid embarrassment or frustration for both parties involved.
Most recently flying back from Toronto to Heathrow in F on a 787 we needed to get bussed back to the terminal. They tried to get everybody in F out before CW, but I was sitting in 1F and was the last to *attempt* to get off. Unfortunately, the crew decided I wasn't entitled to be getting off yet, and so my partner who was in 1E got whisked away on the first bus (with a handful of CW passengers after all). I ended up in the terminal 20 minutes later than him (yet still before our luggage...)!
I don't know what's worse though: passengers who think *they* are entitled to more than everyone else, or staff who should know better...
I shouldn't let it bother me, but I don't like to judge - or be judged!
I know the various queue lines need to be protected, but a simple change in tone can avoid embarrassment or frustration for both parties involved.
Most recently flying back from Toronto to Heathrow in F on a 787 we needed to get bussed back to the terminal. They tried to get everybody in F out before CW, but I was sitting in 1F and was the last to *attempt* to get off. Unfortunately, the crew decided I wasn't entitled to be getting off yet, and so my partner who was in 1E got whisked away on the first bus (with a handful of CW passengers after all). I ended up in the terminal 20 minutes later than him (yet still before our luggage...)!
I don't know what's worse though: passengers who think *they* are entitled to more than everyone else, or staff who should know better...
I shouldn't let it bother me, but I don't like to judge - or be judged!
Aug 4, 2019 | 5:13 pm
#108
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: PHL
Programs: HH LTD, Marriott LTS & Ambassador, WOH Explorist, AA EXP
Posts: 774
This! I honestly never care much what some person says to me when I roll up for a 9K mile trip in Basketball Shorts & a ratty t-shirt (Judge all you want, I fly comfortable and India is a long way from PHL). My Daughter on the other hand got made very uncomfortable by the lounge agent in BA lounge in PHL that gave her grief when she was ~8 - though at the time I chalked that up to it being PHL.
Aug 4, 2019 | 5:14 pm
#109
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: LON, ACK, BOS..... (Not necessarily in that order)
Programs: **Mucci Diamond Hairbrush** - compared to that nothing else matters (+BA Bronze)
Posts: 15,945
Let's not forget when it happens from other passengers, too. The self-important "businessman" pushing past everyone at boarding because he has a [bronze/silver] card, the same self-important businessman (always men) pushing past the women in the Group 1 queue, because they can't possibly be in Group 1 (in his twisted mind), etc...
It's one of those things that still to this day infuriates me, and I really wish I could just let it be. But it really gets my blood pressure where it shouldn't.
It's one of those things that still to this day infuriates me, and I really wish I could just let it be. But it really gets my blood pressure where it shouldn't.
Flying from BOS a few years ago & before the new lounge. A nice gentleman came to the attention of everyone at the gate. He was trying to queue barge the premium line based on his belief that his gold card granted this. I was standing at the front of the queue in a Hawaiian shirt Chinos etc. and there were four more soberly dressed people behind me. We're being held to ease congestion on the jet bridge and he's trying to get in front of me. Lady manning the scanner tells him he'll have to join the back of the queue. He produces his Gold Card and points to it as if it's some magic talisman capable of inducing the Jedi Mind Trick.Gate lady says "Sir everybody in the queue except for this gentleman (meaning me) has a gold card......" He opened his mouth to say something.
"And he's flying in our First Class cabin tonight"
I don't know where he was actually sitting but it wasn't F
Aug 4, 2019 | 5:18 pm
#110
Join Date: Mar 2011
Programs: AS, UA
Posts: 1,237
I've had this occasionally as well several years ago when I would occasionally get upgraded on United and looked like I was 15 at the time. Usually it would just be a simple and polite 'may I see your boarding pass ... thank you', which I've never had a problem with.
However, if a staff member would look towards me in a line and say 'this line is for first class passengers only' (or whatever), I would over-enthusiastically say 'sounds great!' and nothing else until they actually ask to see a boarding pass or ask me to move. If they are going to be passive-aggressive I was happy to be as well, although I would never say anything impolite or ignore them.
However, if a staff member would look towards me in a line and say 'this line is for first class passengers only' (or whatever), I would over-enthusiastically say 'sounds great!' and nothing else until they actually ask to see a boarding pass or ask me to move. If they are going to be passive-aggressive I was happy to be as well, although I would never say anything impolite or ignore them.
Aug 4, 2019 | 5:29 pm
#111
Join Date: May 2006
Location: 5 miles from EMA
Programs: BD RIP, BAEC Pleb, VS Pleb, Accor Pleb, HHonors Gold, Big White Season Pass
Posts: 6,335
This! I honestly never care much what some person says to me when I roll up for a 9K mile trip in Basketball Shorts & a ratty t-shirt (Judge all you want, I fly comfortable and India is a long way from PHL). My Daughter on the other hand got made very uncomfortable by the lounge agent in BA lounge in PHL that gave her grief when she was ~8 - though at the time I chalked that up to it being PHL.
Im not sure if I looked slightly frazzled or what. The *A lounge dragon was trying to point us at the business class lounge until I asked her if row 1 qualified us for that lounge. .
Aug 4, 2019 | 10:19 pm
#112
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: SIN
Programs: BA, CX, SQ, Accor, IHG
Posts: 96
In fairness at LHR I have never been judged (not so I'd know anyway) based on what I am wearing whist strolling into First to check in, and I do not posses a suit. Jeans, T-shirt and adidas every time. GCH, in whatever class.
On the other hand, during boarding waiting in the group 1 line, I have been shoulder charged out the way by (usually) a suit wearing 'gentleman' on numerous occasions. Except last week, where my partner spotted the shoulder charger coming and body blocked him before announcing 'this is a group 1 line, and you aren't in it' loudly enough for it not to go unheard by anyone. Takes no nonsense, does she!
Quite why BA don't have a staffer walk the various lines before boarding commences, checking boarding passes and politely redirecting those requiring such beats me. CX manage it well enough in HKG doing it just this way. Never any drama.
On the other hand, during boarding waiting in the group 1 line, I have been shoulder charged out the way by (usually) a suit wearing 'gentleman' on numerous occasions. Except last week, where my partner spotted the shoulder charger coming and body blocked him before announcing 'this is a group 1 line, and you aren't in it' loudly enough for it not to go unheard by anyone. Takes no nonsense, does she!
Quite why BA don't have a staffer walk the various lines before boarding commences, checking boarding passes and politely redirecting those requiring such beats me. CX manage it well enough in HKG doing it just this way. Never any drama.
Aug 5, 2019 | 1:34 am
#114
formerly fdemoulin
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: UK
Programs: SPG Lifetime Platinum, BA Silver, Virgin Flying Club Red
Posts: 934
Aug 5, 2019 | 1:49 am
#115
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: London
Programs: BA 'making our descent', AF/KL Gold, ZSL Silver
Posts: 2,882
Happened to me a few times – the last occasion I can remember was both ways for a Christmas trip to Miami. I can understand why; a couple in their early to mid-30s, not wearing designer clothes, clearly travelling for leisure just before Christmas. Of course people fitting that visual profile do fly F/are OWEs, but the numbers must be pretty small so playing the probabilities game I’m not surprised we were questioned.
At LHR the two staff members were very polite. They just said “this line is for our Gold card holders, which cabin are you flying in?” At MIA it was a bit more brusque “we called rows 1-4 only, which row are you in?” “Row 4”, I replied. “Yeah, I’m going to need you to show me both boarding cards”. Didn’t really bother me – I’ve had far worse from TSA agents. Everyone was just trying to get where they needed to at a very busy time.
At LHR the two staff members were very polite. They just said “this line is for our Gold card holders, which cabin are you flying in?” At MIA it was a bit more brusque “we called rows 1-4 only, which row are you in?” “Row 4”, I replied. “Yeah, I’m going to need you to show me both boarding cards”. Didn’t really bother me – I’ve had far worse from TSA agents. Everyone was just trying to get where they needed to at a very busy time.
Aug 5, 2019 | 2:05 am
#116
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: JER
Programs: BA Silver again, several MUCCI, and assorted Pensions!
Posts: 32,497
To be objectively fair and to give them the benefit of doubt/unfamiliarity, CPT boarding queues can be an absolute zoo. Many times I've seen people in the Group 3/4/5 line believing they are in the Group 1/2 queue.
I guess it's a circumstance of the boarding corridor width.
I guess it's a circumstance of the boarding corridor width.
Aug 5, 2019 | 2:10 am
#117
formerly fdemoulin
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: UK
Programs: SPG Lifetime Platinum, BA Silver, Virgin Flying Club Red
Posts: 934
Why is it always younger people complaining about older pensioners or middle aged people. My personal experience is the opposite is true, older people tend to follow the rules while I find self entitled younger people ( especially with kids in tow) tend to behave worse. Just to confirm I belong to neither age group so I can claim neutrality. I am sure there are some aged terrors out there but I have not witnessed such behaviour. It seems that many complain about being questioned about their appearance, it could be that in Europe people tend to dress more appropriately I have to chuckle when I look for my London bound flight and can see it by the crowds in shorts and beachwear sometimes with swimwear underneath. Admittedly these are normally leisure destinations. I think the dressing down comes from the US as so many other trends. I know you can get all types of dkkwia types but it seems a lot of moaning goes on from younger people, a bit like those complaining that the older generations have stolen our futures. I have frequently travelled in f cabins where most of the pax are younger casually dressed types and never have I seen any less respectful nteraction towards this group. I do question the red Hawaiian shirt though is this appropriate to wear anywhere!?
Aug 5, 2019 | 2:34 am
#118
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: GLA
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 3,233
Unfortunately Ive never had the opportunity to deploy some of the great lines Ive seen on similar threads on FT over the years!
My wife does tend to get comments from lounge agents about her being my guest, etc. (Sometimes she is, but often not). Interestingly, only ever from other women.
I do think there is something in a naturally purposeful walk (which I do have), versus a hesitant one, which almost begs to be questioned, selected for secondary security screening, etc.
Either that or Im just more middle-aged and respectable looking than I fear!
My wife does tend to get comments from lounge agents about her being my guest, etc. (Sometimes she is, but often not). Interestingly, only ever from other women.
I do think there is something in a naturally purposeful walk (which I do have), versus a hesitant one, which almost begs to be questioned, selected for secondary security screening, etc.
Either that or Im just more middle-aged and respectable looking than I fear!
Aug 5, 2019 | 2:34 am
#119
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Habibi is in Dubai
Programs: BA Blue / Starbucks Gold
Posts: 767
I'm still waiting for my first pre-judging moment. This is my second year as Gold and I very much enjoy a week-end trip in shorts, T-Shirt, and a backpack on my back. I'm going to wager the folks at the Gold Wing are used to my kind 
Aug 5, 2019 | 6:12 am
#120
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: UK
Programs: BAC Silver
Posts: 731
Let's not forget when it happens from other passengers, too. The self-important "businessman" pushing past everyone at boarding because he has a [bronze/silver] card, the same self-important businessman (always men) pushing past the women in the Group 1 queue, because they can't possibly be in Group 1 (in his twisted mind), etc...
It's one of those things that still to this day infuriates me, and I really wish I could just let it be. But it really gets my blood pressure where it shouldn't.
It's one of those things that still to this day infuriates me, and I really wish I could just let it be. But it really gets my blood pressure where it shouldn't.