First post here. I'm accompanying my father-in-law YVR-MPX this summer. He's in First, and I'm at the back of the bus. He is 80, lost his wife in the past year and has (mild) dementia. I like to visit him a couple of times during the flight. How impenetrable is that curtain? What would be the best way in your opinion to approach this? I'm just looking for visiting privileges.

Will be up to the FA's in first but in most cases they don't like to have visitors as it disturbs the other passengers who are there for privacy, not very probable.

The FA's might get a bit snippy if you just wonder up to First, but if you explain yourself to them before you walk up, I don't see why they would have a problem.

Just curious, why aren't you two travelling together especially considering he is in deep mourning and is suffering from mild dementia? Why the separation of cabin classes?

I would say depends on the crew; usually explaining the situation would probably get you a better chance.

What airline are you flying? I have found certain airlines to be more strict. CO and (former) NW, in my experience don't like letting people go up there, but will if you explain. Last time I flew DL, the crew didn't stop anyone from coming into first and it became a "lounge" for people wanting to use the FC restroom.

Once, on my way from ATL to SFO, I was in the back and my two non-rev kids were in First (high seniority delta daddy). Although they were world travellers and old enough to care for themselves (11 and 10), I still checked on them a few times. The FA had no issue with this and about halfway through the flight offered to move me and my husband into first.

MPX is new guinea. you going there or MXP, which is italy.

way way too many people have a reason to "visit" the upper classes.

the ones that drive me crazy are the friends in the back that have to come up and visit for half hour at a time. most often either govt employees or non-revs, seems to me.

Agreed. You want to sit in F, pay for F. Otherwise there's just too much kerfuffle.

He's flying on points accumulated over several years on a BA credit card. I'm paying for my ticket.

[QUOTE=slawecki;12011971]MPX is new guinea. you going there or MXP, which is italy.

MXP sorry. Just curious, why are the airport codes capitalized but the countries no?

I would also be a little concerned that saying your father is in deep mourning and suffering from mild dementia might give the airline reason to question whether your father should be traveling alone in the cabin or if a family member would have to be with him.

Sorry for the confusion, I thought that "I'm just looking for visiting privileges" would sufficiently describe what I was after.

And good for you. There aren't lots of people who can afford to pay $11,000 more just to avoid a kerfuffle.

Oh come on! Give the guy a break. He is just wondering about occasionally checking on an elderly relative who will be alone and perhaps apprehensive. That is not "kerfuffle."

Neil,
Your question here sounds perfectly reasonable to me and one I'd ask too if I was traveling under your circumstances.

In situations like this, I always just ring beforehand to make an inquiry. That way I usually get the drum and take down the name of the person I spoke with.

I'm sure that by ringing the airline and explaining your situation, they will quickly see that a brief welfare check every now and then is the humane thing to allow.

Sheesh...anyone would think you were asking to pilot the plane

Diva
http://1stclassdiva.wordpress.com/

Those who pay huge sums of extra money ($11,000 or more) for First Class deserve all the peace, quiet and extra space they've paid so much money for. To some First Class clientele, having people from Economy hanging around visiting friends in the First Class cabin cheapens the over all experience for them. Personally, were I setting policy on this, I'd err on the side and wishes of the folks paying the mega bucks rather than those folks from Economy who don't feel they're being much of a bother. Whether they are or not is not their call to make.

The crew has the final say but above all, I think discretion is the key element here. Were I seated in First Class (I often have been on international flights) I wouldn't personally be put off by your occasional quick and quiet visit to check in on your relative.