There is a big difference between these three scenarios:

1) TA: "This is the medallion/first class line" Me: "I know" TA: "How may I help you?" This is ok with me.

2) TA: "This is the medallion/first class line" Me: "I know" TA: "May I see your card?" This is annoying but I guess I can understand it.

3) TA: "General check in is over there *points*" This is what I have been getting lately and it is frustrating.

Usually #3 looks angry that they have to put up with me as I check in. I try to smile and be nice about it though.

Don't think it's age...I think it's dress.

I make a practice of wearing powersuits when I travel..even if I am not going to work until the next day after I arrive. I have learned that if you look wealthy and important, you receive much better treatment from all people you may have to deal with..gate agents, rental car agents, hotel desk staff, and other passengers. Right or wrong, it seems to be the case. In the event that something unusual happens, it can be even more important. I was bumped from USairways flights on two occasions..when I wore a suit and tie I was not only put on the next flight AND given a voucher, I was upgraded. When I was in casual clothes I got nothing but the voucher and a flight the next day. It may or may not be related, but I recall being called "Sir" more times during the incident while I was wearing a suit.

Staff belive that suit wearing people may be connected..better lawyers, access to media, shareholders, corporate in their own company, and generally more ability to make a stink that will get back to them. People in t-shirts and sandals appear as inexperienced casual fliers who are not aware of available recourse.

I am slightly older than you (36) but I look about 30. Belive me, being in your 30's does not incur age discrimination. It's all about appearance.

To answer the OP's question, nope, I doubt it has much to do with age. I've been a top tier elite with United (100K+/year) since I was 14, and I can only recount a handful of cases where an employee made a negative or rude comment due to my age. I have received (and continue to receive) tons of comments that are positive. FWIW I typically wear khakis and a collared shirt with dress shoes.

I am pretty young for a frequent flyer (25), but I have never really felt like anyone was treating me poorly because of my age. I do get some strange looks at my small UX station when I'm going to LHR for three hours, but that's another thread, I suppose.

Really? Cite please.

I would treat you the same way if I saw you wearing maroon and orange. :p


PS. Mods: Just a little friendly ACC-smack talk.

Ah...I was next to a Hokie yesterday on my ATL-MSP flight. We were both wallowing in our ACC defeats.

Nice to see another Deac here though!

Well after a shower and shave in the lounge, a few aspirin, I was presentable and odour free as anyone else on the plane :)

[QUOTE=

I was paying for a same day confirmed one day and took out my credit card (which has Dr. printed on it) and the TA said there is no way that you are a doctor (at first I thought this was a complement). I told her that I had received my Ph.D. in the last year. She continued to badger me about how I was lying about it. I took my boarding pass and went to the gate fuming.
[/QUOTE]

That is a very specific example of completely unacceptable behavior, for which I would have probably have invoked Yamaka's on-the-spot remedy of calling for a Sup. That is utter BS, no matter how you were dressed, and at a minimum, noting her name and following up with a written letter on letter head should have gotten her the spanking she deserved, and hopefully a remedial customer service course, and you a pair of F tickets for you and Mrs. H, if the airline gives a hoot how it treats its elites.

My earlier replies about dressing and getting what you dress for in no way relate to a nag calling you a liar whilst you're in the check in process!

Couldn't help but chime in.

I have never found the "this line is for first class passengers" line to be a thing I am worried about, I typically respond with "Excellent" or "Good, I have found it" - QF often have a "guard" on the line - I certainly dont consider it to be an age thing (im in my 30's) - as I suspect the most common line creep comes from older passengers :p

On the dress code, well I dress on flights largely how I want to be dressed when I get off the plane - so if I am going to a meeting that would normally require me to be in a suit, I will wear a suit - if not, I will happily wear Jeans/Cargos and a T-shirt - if I am going somewhere cold I may wear a jacket over the top - but it is normally put in the closet on board, if I am going somewhere warm that would seem less likely. I have no idea why anyone feels like they impress anyone by "dressing up" to fly. I understand that once upon a time this might have been important, but really.

I note that when you sit in British Airways First you are issued with PJ's that are really a long sleeved t-shirt and pants, same on Qantas in J (and for some reason i prefer the J PJ's to QF's F PJ's - i think it's about the button). So really, if QF & BA in F & J can live with me in a T-shirt, i have absolutely no idea why AA, DL, or United should have even a minor issue about it.

In terms of determining "class" through what people are wearing, I always look at people dressed up to the 9's to get on board an airplane as if they are desperately hoping to be upgraded (most likely having read about this in some book or another), not that they are displaying elegance or class.

On the PhD front, this is a live discussion in the Diamond household at the moment - we are about to become a Two Car, Two PhD, no kids household with Ms AN-Diamond about to become Dr AN-Diamond and we can't quite figure out if either of us want's to be Dr. I tend towards not, Ms AN-Diamond is of the view that having written the damned thesis that we should - i thought more of the practicalities of things like the post and credit cards and things all getting very confusing.

In any case, if anyone, anywhere, doubted my entitlement to use Dr or PhD I would consider it to be most offensive - potentially a really I will no longer do business with you unless you take appropriate action kind of offensive. I would have talked to a supervisor on the spot.

That has to hurt, losing to the Big 12's usual bottom feeder Baylor. Although that is better than losing to an FCS team like Richmond or William and Mary.

Here's the way I look at it: the proper formal title for a PhD is Dr., so if you are required to select a title, that's what you should select. That doesn't mean you need to correct anyone who says Mr., or that you need to insist on being adressed by title and last name. It also doesn't mean that you need to change your title on everything it is already recorded.

As for the case of the OP, don't sweat it. There are deficient agents at every airline. And, yes, people make judgments based on the way others dress. It's hard to regulate reactions, feelings, or attitude.

Come on! Don't be stupid. You got a Ph.D! With that kind of attire you look more like a college student (or high school) rather than a faculty member. Of course, you'll get looks. Not that it should be that way but it is that way. There are just certain standards and expectations in society and things are easier if you don't work against them.

Wear long trousers only (you are not 16 anymore) with a long sleeve shirt (short sleeve shirts lack sophistication very badly). Even jeans are ok. Get a decent pair of shoes, not outright running or athletic shoes and certainly no flip-flops or crocs. Loafers will do and are practical for security. Even jeans and a polo shirt will do but not jeans and a t-shirt. Any athletic team wear is out unless you go to visit a game of a team in that city. Possibly wear a sport coat. How's your hair cut? Do you wear glasses? What kind of luggage do you carry? Duffel or briefcase?

You'll see, you change to the look described above and everybody will happily treat you with respect. A certain sense of decorum is not a bad idea.

Till

Don't worry, you are not alone. They are just haters.

You are 30 ?? I am in my mid 20s ( I look 18) , a GS member on UA, and also a doctor.

They don't treat me nice until I flash my boarding pass or demand to speak to a GS representative.

It doesn't matter what I wear or how I act. They should never single me out

Again, they are just hater and jealous of us, young successful people. :)

I thought long and hard about this, and the best response still is, IMHO: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

The OP isn't applying for a job, going on a date, giving a presentation, or doing any other formal, semi-formal, or even "business casual" activity. The OP is flying on a plane. Not only do short sleeves not lack sophistication (I've seen plenty of well-dressed people in short sleeves) but they are entirely acceptable for travel on an airline. While running shorts or hotpants may not be appropriate, cargo shorts are by no means a faux pas even for those well over 16.

And to address your "faculty" comment: I've seen many, many faculty here wearing shorts, short sleeves, sandals (with or without socks), ball caps, shirts with team logos, and countless other items that have been deemed classless, tasteless, or lowbrow in this thread... and they're all still well-respected by the students, the other faculty, and their colleagues in the U.S. and around the world. Of course, this is Berkeley, haven of the lazy/slovenly/plebeian... and somehow still one of the top academic institutions in the world. I wonder how we can succeed so, when nobody cares about attire! :eek:

That said... I've never gotten any flak from any CSR at UA regarding my attire, and I travel in cargo pants, T-shirt, and sandals - the same things I wear every day as I go about my daily business.