|
Too bad these people cant be put on a list, a few SSSS boarding passes might help them learn that for every action, there IS an equal and opposite reaction. The TSA circus could fill their quota and hone their razer sharp screening skills on a group of people who apparently want some extra undeserved attention. And the rest of us could just zip thru the airport like OJ in a Hertz commercial. EVERONE WINS!
OK, it's just a dream. |
I have to admit when I was 16 I successfully accomplished this on a ORD-MAD flight (IB). I sat in the last seat in C and was even asked if I wanted to move up because the phone was not working in that seat haha.
On the flight back MAD-ORD I was op-upped. I haven't done it since as I usually find a way to (legally) sit in C. |
Moral dilema
Which is worse
(1) Sneaking an upgrade, as describe above, and moving if caught (2) Bribing / enducing an official with a small sum of money to get an upgrade be it on an aircraft, at check-in, or even at a hotel for a better room? And have any of those of you who cry fowl of (1) - sneaking an upgrade, practicised (2)? |
Originally Posted by letiole
I don't have time to look up case law for you, perhaps some of the lawyers here could comment, but it's called theft of service and it's just as unlawful and criminal as theft of a tangible item (think about cases that have been successfully prosecuted for theft of cable transission services). Theft of service is when one knowingly secures the performance of a service by deception or threat. If you were caught stealing a F seat and did not move back, you could also be charged with interfering with a flight crew, a federal offense.
If you're still not sure there's such a thing as theft of service, next time you get a massage or a haircut or maybe have a hygenist clean your teeth, try walking out without paying and see what comes of it. Of course, keep in mind that a first class seat costs far more than these items - likely moves you into the grand theft category - so whatever happens is likely to not be as severe. This assumes that you are flying the outbound segments though. |
Originally Posted by joshua-bwi
Here is a great solution... Allow the pax to stay in 1st... FA reports incident to gate agent upon arrival... your return ticket is invalidated for return travel.... or re-priced to compensate the airline for the seat. Price difference would need to be paid prior to return flight.
This assumes that you are flying the outbound segments though. Oh I like that! -Vincent |
Since were on the subject of such risk taking, has anyone ever heard of someone attempting to sneak on a plane? Now that would be really ballsy! perhaps it was possible pre-9/11....
|
Originally Posted by g_leyser
My questions for all of you are: Ever seen (or done) anything similar?
Yes, I saw a couple from a non-English speaking country try it. The FA reseated them shortly after take-off when she discovered what was going on. They pretended they "didn't know". What do you think of someone like this? Not much. Could this be considered stealing and therefore illegal? My opinion is that it should be, at least if it's discovered well after the the perp has enjoyed the extra goodies afforded to the paying FC/Biz pax. Compare it to shoplifting, the same principle applies...the company losses are passed on to the paying customers. Could it be considered a security breach? I don't think so, because they still have to go through the same security screening before boarding the aircraft. I would love to hear any FAs views if you're out there.I'm not a FA, but my spouse is a cockpit crewmember. |
Originally Posted by thunderbirdfan
""
|
Originally Posted by Derek
welcome to flyertalk!
I must say I am very impressed with the wealth of travel info on this website. ^ |
for the dregs of society that have stated that they feel they are not stealing when they knownly sit in FC
i then would have to assume if by your actions that walking out of a resturant after dinning and before paying the check if the server is slow to coming back to the table you could say maybe they just felt like feeding you for free even though they are a resturant or they would just throw the the left over food out at the end of the night , you just help them do it a little sooner YOU ARE A THIEF ANY WAY YOU LOOK AT IT but thieves will always try to justify their actions by saying its just a empty train or plane seat it is still up to the carrier if they would like you to sit there a little belittling is called for as they are sent to the back of the plane to much free goverment cheese makes people think they are intitled to something for nothing |
If you'd like another wrinkle on this scam, just run down to the army/navy surplus store and buy yourself some fatigues. Wear them to the airport, and if there are any first or business seats available, you'll most likely get bumped up for free (as long as you're flying on a US airline)! You will burn in Hades, however. :p
|
Originally Posted by WonderDude
If you'd like another wrinkle on this scam, just run down to the army/navy surplus store and buy yourself some fatigues. Wear them to the airport, and if there are any first or business seats available, you'll most likely get bumped up for free (as long as you're flying on a US airline)! You will burn in Hades, however. :p
|
Originally Posted by g_leyser
My questions for all of you are: Ever seen (or done) anything similar? What do you think of someone like this? Could this be considered stealing and therefore illegal? Could it be considered a security breach? I would love to hear any FAs views if you're out there.
Very cool to be here.... I'm Premier Exec and fly business half the time. Will hit 1K this year.... Personally, my ethics and pride would prevent me for being such a loser for trying to sneak into a class I shouldn't be in. It's just very 'low' and while some people wouldn't care to be embarassed when they ceremoniously move you back, I'm ok with an occasional coach flight, which in every occasion for me (cos of PE) has been an emergency exit row.... |
Originally Posted by cpmairtight
Yes you would . . . imagine if there are others on the flight, and you know nothing about the military. . . this is a recipe for an arse kicking.
Of course, if they didn't carry a reasonably genuine-looking collection of that sort of stuff, they wouldn't get their wearer an upgrade either. I'm sure gate agents can tell the difference between a member of the military and someone who bought an outfit in an army surplus store. |
This whole thread reminds me of the Seinfeld episode when Elaine and Jerry were flying and both were offered an upgrade because they were ovewrsold in coach and Jerry took it. Elaine was left in a middle seat with an undesirable seat companion on each side. During the flight she sneaks up to the then-curtain divided First cabin and takes teh back seat after climbing over someone in teh aisle seat. She pretends to be sleeping and the FA comes around and she waves them off. the FA then checks the list and sends her back to her coach "prison"
|
A great Seinfeld episode. :D
Untill recently, I had not seen anyone attempt to scam the free upgrade for some time. Then I watched an overweight lady argue with gate agent about her need for an F upgrade due to a medical condition. She was told to get a doctor's note and sent away. (Probably should have also been told to return with an extra $6000). That was entertainment enough, but then 2 individuals (separately) planted themselves in C seats and pretended to be the rightful occupants. Alas for them, the flight was packed full, and they were soon ejected by the ever-efficient Swiss crew. ^ |
A ~16-18ish kid tried this on a recent SYD-LAX flight. I was in 1A and he sat down in 2A. The FA came by about 10 mins before takeoff and asked to see his BP. He showed her the BP with 2A on it.. she looked confused, and turned back to the galley. As she's turning around she notices that the BP with 2A on it is for his LAX-SAN flight, not SYD-LAX.
He then "found" his other BP -- 53K. Gotta hand it to him. Bypassed C completely, went right for three class F suite. |
re FC free
You have 10 seconds of oportunity to shmooze...I recently smiled and asked while boarding past C class, Do you need any volunteers today?
|
Originally Posted by Kettering Northants QC
Which is worse
(1) Sneaking an upgrade, as describe above, and moving if caught (2) Bribing / enducing an official with a small sum of money to get an upgrade be it on an aircraft, at check-in, or even at a hotel for a better room? And have any of those of you who cry fowl of (1) - sneaking an upgrade, practicised (2)? I think you will not get many (if any) replies to this because a lot of people don't consider point 2 "inappropriate." They can try to justify it in many ways, but it is as bad as point 1. LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
Originally Posted by letiole
Of course, keep in mind that a first class seat costs far more than these items - likely moves you into the grand theft category - so whatever happens is likely to not be as severe.
|
$450 haircut? And I thought $120 was bad..
I don't think it's possible anymore; the manifest (or a head count) would quickly show an extra person in F. |
Wow, a thread I started in 2002. Right after seeing my first ever seat poacher. Ahhh, memories...... :D :p
|
I just saw this happen!
I was on DL Flight 401 on 3/5/15 from JFK-LHR with a woman sitting across from me who was traveling with her husband and little daughter. At some point during the flight she snuck off and slept in the 1 empty BE seat. She came back to her regular seat right before breakfast. Soon after, two FA's confronted her and she shamelessly claimed to have done nothing wrong because she didn't eat any of the food. I thought it was pretty ballsy!!
|
Originally Posted by funcha
(Post 24474177)
I was on DL Flight 401 on 3/5/15 from JFK-LHR with a woman sitting across from me who was traveling with her husband and little daughter. At some point during the flight she snuck off and slept in the 1 empty BE seat. She came back to her regular seat right before breakfast. Soon after, two FA's confronted her and she shamelessly claimed to have done nothing wrong because she didn't eat any of the food. I thought it was pretty ballsy!!
Were these EC/C+ seats? She must have been able to see the empty BE seat somehow, or did she first use the BE lavatory in order to do a reconnaissance mission up front? |
As you say - ballsy
|
I had people kicked out of one of the lounges in Bangkok I think it was. There was a delay and everyone raced to the airline lounge at midnight. There were people and kids everywhere. It was so noisy you were unable to get any sleep or a seat. I complained and said that I paid for business class which entitled me to a service. I asked if these people using the facilities had paid for them. Soon 3/4 of the people were being hearded out and the lounge once again became a tranquil oasis where I could like down and sleep.
Same goes for this lady using one of the seats. Saying she didn't eat anything doesn't make it right. I hate sneaky people. |
Emirates from Glasgow
Despite averaging around 50 flights a year I had never personally witnessed someone skipping into a higher cabin, until last week. I was in my usual 11 J which on the typical EK B777,is the most furthest back right seat in Business class.
This seat next to me was empty as were the three seats in the middle. Immediately after take off this around 60 year old well dressed man popped through the curtain and sat himself down. He looked ever so at home. As soon as the staff started their first drinks service he was questioned and asked to go back to his seat. Around one hour after the dinner service he appeared again, this time in a different seat around 10B on the opposite side from me. He lasted around 15 minutes this time before again being asked to move. In Scotland we call this type of character a "chancer" … Ive been surprised to read here just how many chancers get away with it :) |
I'm sure that I've been thought of as someone trying it on in first class.
I was travelling as airline staff from Miami to London just after Christmas one year. The flight was almost full and I was given a first class boarding pass. I was sitting enjoying my pre-take off drink when the gate agent came on, knelt next to me and said that a last minute revenue passenger had turned up so I needed to move back. There were no J seats available so I ended up in Y. The entire F cabin watched as I handed my champagne glass back to the FA, collected my bags from the overhead and moved down the aircraft. I could tell from some of the looks that people thought I shouldn't have been there. :( |
MSPeconomist- She could see the empty BE seat from where she was sitting. It happened to be in the last row left side of the plane. We were all in EC/C+. She and her family were in the middle section of seats. At first she moved to the first row in EC/C+ but the at some point went to that BE seat. She came stumbling back to EC/C+ right before breakfast.
|
Originally Posted by Cassie55
(Post 24477876)
I'm sure that I've been thought of as someone trying it on in first class.
I was travelling as airline staff from Miami to London just after Christmas one year. The flight was almost full and I was given a first class boarding pass. I was sitting enjoying my pre-take off drink when the gate agent came on, knelt next to me and said that a last minute revenue passenger had turned up so I needed to move back. There were no J seats available so I ended up in Y. The entire F cabin watched as I handed my champagne glass back to the FA, collected my bags from the overhead and moved down the aircraft. I could tell from some of the looks that people thought I shouldn't have been there. :( |
In my book trying to sneak into the next class or two up be stealing.
Would it bother me enough to notify the crew about it if I saw someone else doing it? Probably not - if the person were sitting quietly. Would I do it myself? No. |
Originally Posted by Seat 2A
(Post 24487833)
In my book trying to sneak into the next class or two up be stealing.
Would it bother me enough to notify the crew about it if I saw someone else doing it? Probably not - if the person were sitting quietly. Would I do it myself? No. |
Was seated in a largely empty AA J flying ICN-DFW when a young lady sat down and began enjoying a PDB. Noticed she was nowhere to be found after take off. Can only assume she got the boot!
|
Originally Posted by Annalisa12
(Post 24487442)
Amazing that they could boot you out as you were enjoying a pre flight drink.
|
Just a few weeks ago I was on a flight, sitting in first class (3A). A guy comes on late, looks a little shady, plops down in 3B. Flight attendant comes by and asks us (mostly him) for boarding passes. I take out mine, it says 3A. He takes out his, and it says . . . 3A. Hmmm.
The flight attendant quickly noticed though that his boarding pass was for a prior flight on the same airline. She ask him for the rest of the boarding passes in his itinerary, and lo and behold, his boarding pass for this flight was for 25E or something. The man apologized for his "confusion" and was ushered to the back of the plane. |
Originally Posted by sethb
(Post 24524708)
F on TATL is 5 figures. If a paying customer showed up with that sort of ticket, it makes perfect sense to tell an airline employee on a free ticket to move back.
|
Originally Posted by jphripjah
(Post 24526239)
Just a few weeks ago I was on a flight, sitting in first class (3A). A guy comes on late, looks a little shady, plops down in 3B. Flight attendant comes by and asks us (mostly him) for boarding passes. I take out mine, it says 3A. He takes out his, and it says . . . 3A. Hmmm.
The flight attendant quickly noticed though that his boarding pass was for a prior flight on the same airline. She ask him for the rest of the boarding passes in his itinerary, and lo and behold, his boarding pass for this flight was for 25E or something. The man apologized for his "confusion" and was ushered to the back of the plane. |
Originally Posted by jphripjah
(Post 24526239)
Just a few weeks ago I was on a flight, sitting in first class (3A). A guy comes on late, looks a little shady, plops down in 3B. Flight attendant comes by and asks us (mostly him) for boarding passes. I take out mine, it says 3A. He takes out his, and it says . . . 3A. Hmmm.
The flight attendant quickly noticed though that his boarding pass was for a prior flight on the same airline. She ask him for the rest of the boarding passes in his itinerary, and lo and behold, his boarding pass for this flight was for 25E or something. The man apologized for his "confusion" and was ushered to the back of the plane. |
Originally Posted by Cassie55
(Post 24534266)
Absolutely. Airline staff know they're never safe until the door is closed.
|
Legalities
Whether this is stealing or not is going to depend on the jurisdiction. Another possibility is that this is fraud (which can also be a criminal act) or passing off. It could also be considered accepting the terms of the first / business class ticket and associated fare, and therefore incur contractual liability to pay up.
|
| All times are GMT -6. The time now is 12:14 am. |
This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.