I normally don't have any issues with NRSAs (I feel they earn the flight benefits they get), but I just have to report this event from last Wednesday at SFO.

We're sitting at the gate waiting for UA 837 SFO-NRT, when this guy approaches another passenger and asks to "rent" his shoes for the flight. Apparently he's a NRSA (from UX we learned) sitting in Business Class, and didn't have the right shoes to match the dress code. After five minutes of cajoling, the passenger eventually refused and the employee went away. Then, two minutes later, he approached another passenger with the same scheme. At this point, someone reported him to the gate agent, who downgraded him back to Coach.

Isn't there a code of conduct for NRSAs? Shouldn't he have known better to (a) have the right shoes in the first place, or (b) not bother paying passengers because of his oversight of (a).

You gotta wonder what the offered price was.....

If someone tried to do make that deal with me, I'd give 'em my shoe.....right up their a**.......

While its pretty dumb what the guy did I also think the dress code is pretty outdated and dumb as well. If the whole idea is NRSAs should blend in and not be noticed then the current situation is perfect for 1975 but no so much today. I have only once ever worn dress shoes on an international flight and that was only due to the fact I ended up out way way too late in Munich and had no time to change before running to the airport and even then the shoes were on only until takeoff and them my sleeper suit and slippers were on in a flash. While I understand they should have some dress code it could use an update IMO and should be more inline with what most pax wear, and to that end tennis shoes aren't exactly outside the norm.

A few years ago, on a flight BUR-SFO, a mother and her son quietly approached me, asking if they could borrow a button down/collared shirt from me to wear to get on the plane. I was surprised, but I quickly understood, and since they were quietly very polite about it, and didn't seem like they were trying to take advantage of the situation as NRSAs, i.e. just trying to get home in coach, I agreed. Must have been because I was one of the few people standing around with a rollaboard, and looked approachable (for various reasons).

I wouldn't give shoes though... ugh. or to an NRSA who had a "bad attitude"... or who was pestering people.

Also, you've seen the freakonomics-type observation that suggests that when people are paid a low amount for something, they are even less willing than if it's for free/charity?

Candid camera? Pre-flight entertainment?

Bizarre...

While I do appreciate and understand the dress code (and see no need to have it changed).....

I think the NRSA's only poor choice in this "scheme" was to solicit the rental/purchase from people at that gate.

As long as he/she had the correct attire on (for the entire flight, not just to board), I see no problem.

While much more expensive, I am sure there had to be at lease one store at SFO with mens shoes?

$75 was the number I heard.

Tells us what the employees think and UFC is worth.

Well, while certainly it was very poor form of the employee to pester people around when he well should know the rules beforehand. Do you really think somebody on a United Express salary can afford much more ?

I am shocked the employee would try this, as it could jeopardize his flight benefits if the gate agent reported him.

Honestly, though, with the way people dress on planes nowadays it would seem silly for UA to continue a dress code. I have the information somewhere around here, but I think it goes something like this:

No jeans, no shorts, no tee-shirts.
Must wear leather shoes.
No sneakers.
No flip-flops.

NRSA?

I guess I am still a newbie here! Humor me

And I was beginning to think that I've been on FT long enough to have heard everything...

Non Revenue Space Available (employee travelling for free or for a small free)

NRSA = Non revenue, space available -- the status of airline employees/family traveling for pleasure at free or very, very low charge. (When I was a kid it was $1 per time zone -- double that for first class!)