What do First Class pax look like?
Mar 13, 2008 | 7:50 pm
#121
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Tucson, AZ USA
Programs: Membership has its benefits, or so I am told.
Posts: 265
looks can count
I wish I had some, but i have no status despite zillions of miles, AND I don't even shop at Walmart, but it isn't so bad, since I usually pick the aisle seat in the 2nd to last row (just to make sure it reclines) - this is usually the group that boards first after you "special" people...i have open overhead bins in my row if I need them, and can use the facilities while the window person gets in...and i almost always have an open middle seat....there is no point to rush off as I usually have to check a bag anyway. Sometimes, I just sit at the gate and wait as everyone claws and fights their way on, fighting for bin space. When they say LAST CALL, i board, no waiting in line...I slide my purse in at my feet...no big deal...shaddup, sit down, buckle in and hold on!
As it relates to the topic however, many, many years ago I was traveling UA FLL - DEN with a broken foot, including a cast and crutches. On my outbound trip, I was dressed nicely - a dress, coifed hair AND shaved legs even! The gate area was practically empty, and as I was boarding the flight when they called for the "anyone needing extra time", the GA asked if i wanted an assist down the ramp...no i was fine, I said. (I was young and strong and didn't need no stinkin' wheelchair) Once onboard, the FA stopped me and said for me to just sit in 1A until everyone else got on so i wouldn't hold anyone up which I thought was STUPID since they let me board early so i could get my butt in my seat and out of the WAY, but I said nothing and just averted the looks of everyone who walked by (I felt like I was waiting to see the principal!).......the whole plane boarded.....and then we took off and they never moved me! I had 1A and B to myself - amazing! my first experience with first! Sadly I was on good pain drugs so I slept through what must have been a wonderful flight.
On my return trip, i had no such luck. I again boarded in the pre-boarding group after first class, which had all of 2 people in it...this time no FA stopped me and sadly I went to my "back of the bus" seat. I always chalked it up to wearing shorts, a tshirt and a flip flop...just didn't look like first class material I guess.... oh well...lesson learned...that, and there is always the chance i will be sitting next to some cute, single, straight guy....I travel neat and comfortably, and while I am not a fashion plate, I am ALWAYS clean...gawd I have had to sit next to some schtinky people in my life.....
ITTIA
As it relates to the topic however, many, many years ago I was traveling UA FLL - DEN with a broken foot, including a cast and crutches. On my outbound trip, I was dressed nicely - a dress, coifed hair AND shaved legs even! The gate area was practically empty, and as I was boarding the flight when they called for the "anyone needing extra time", the GA asked if i wanted an assist down the ramp...no i was fine, I said. (I was young and strong and didn't need no stinkin' wheelchair) Once onboard, the FA stopped me and said for me to just sit in 1A until everyone else got on so i wouldn't hold anyone up which I thought was STUPID since they let me board early so i could get my butt in my seat and out of the WAY, but I said nothing and just averted the looks of everyone who walked by (I felt like I was waiting to see the principal!).......the whole plane boarded.....and then we took off and they never moved me! I had 1A and B to myself - amazing! my first experience with first! Sadly I was on good pain drugs so I slept through what must have been a wonderful flight.
On my return trip, i had no such luck. I again boarded in the pre-boarding group after first class, which had all of 2 people in it...this time no FA stopped me and sadly I went to my "back of the bus" seat. I always chalked it up to wearing shorts, a tshirt and a flip flop...just didn't look like first class material I guess.... oh well...lesson learned...that, and there is always the chance i will be sitting next to some cute, single, straight guy....I travel neat and comfortably, and while I am not a fashion plate, I am ALWAYS clean...gawd I have had to sit next to some schtinky people in my life.....
ITTIA
Oct 24, 2009 | 7:52 pm
#122
Suspended
Join Date: Apr 2009
Programs: AAdvantage Gold
Posts: 1,614
Every time I see something like this, it amazes me that some people still have a very narrow view of what a frequent flyer or first class passenger should look like.
I was waiting for the boarding announcement for a DFW-ORD flight yesterday evening. The usual bustle of activity 10 paces from the red carpet is building up when these two guys, both dressed very casually, one with a backpack and one with a small rollaboard become the first to actually walk onto the red carpet. Two seconds later, some fellow is all up their butt with "This lane is for First class and elites only". One of the guys replies "I know - I'm allowed to be in this line" and turned round to continue speaking with the other. Then the fellow says again in a much louder tone, presumably so that the GA could hear him "If you are not in First class you need to line up over there [points to the boarding line without the red line]. This time both guys hold up their boarding passes to show the guy that they are First Class passengers. He shuts up.
Best part though is when the GA calls Global Services and First Class, the two guys board then the obnoxious guy presents his BP. The GA tells him "We'll be boarding our hundred thousand mile fliers after our Global Service and First Class passengers have had the chance to get settled in their seats." Those of us still waiting to board had a good laugh at his expense.
I was waiting for the boarding announcement for a DFW-ORD flight yesterday evening. The usual bustle of activity 10 paces from the red carpet is building up when these two guys, both dressed very casually, one with a backpack and one with a small rollaboard become the first to actually walk onto the red carpet. Two seconds later, some fellow is all up their butt with "This lane is for First class and elites only". One of the guys replies "I know - I'm allowed to be in this line" and turned round to continue speaking with the other. Then the fellow says again in a much louder tone, presumably so that the GA could hear him "If you are not in First class you need to line up over there [points to the boarding line without the red line]. This time both guys hold up their boarding passes to show the guy that they are First Class passengers. He shuts up.
Best part though is when the GA calls Global Services and First Class, the two guys board then the obnoxious guy presents his BP. The GA tells him "We'll be boarding our hundred thousand mile fliers after our Global Service and First Class passengers have had the chance to get settled in their seats." Those of us still waiting to board had a good laugh at his expense.
I pointed out to some pax about the exclusive line for First Class at check-in when I flew F this summer, though I did it politely and quietly b/c I could see they were coach pax who jumped into the wrong line and the coach line was already long and getting longer. I wanted to give them a chance to get into the coach line before it grew too long.
Oct 24, 2009 | 8:55 pm
#123
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Bargara Australia
Programs: VA, SQ, IHG, HH,ALL, Europcar
Posts: 1,559
I flew earlier this year CHC SYD on Emirates in J.
As i was strolling along the blue carpet towards the head of the Business Class check in line, the Y line was heaving, a couple pushed ahead of me.
I just thought RUDE.
Anyhow when I got to the lounge - they were no where to be seen, and they were certainly not traveling in the F or J cabin.
So what were they. Y pax who held Silver FF cards, allowing them the right to check in at the J desk.
However I saw them at the crowded gate, so I pushed past them to the Business Class priority line, when they finally boarded I looked them in the eye, raised my glass of French Champagne in their direction and just smiled.
Delicious gourmet food, great wines, lots of space and leg room, who was the winner.
Adam
As i was strolling along the blue carpet towards the head of the Business Class check in line, the Y line was heaving, a couple pushed ahead of me.
I just thought RUDE.
Anyhow when I got to the lounge - they were no where to be seen, and they were certainly not traveling in the F or J cabin.
So what were they. Y pax who held Silver FF cards, allowing them the right to check in at the J desk.
However I saw them at the crowded gate, so I pushed past them to the Business Class priority line, when they finally boarded I looked them in the eye, raised my glass of French Champagne in their direction and just smiled.
Delicious gourmet food, great wines, lots of space and leg room, who was the winner.
Adam