flyerby

I think the intention of the FT rules you mentioned is to protect fellows of these forums from offensive words against them, but not to protect 3rd parties in general and airlines in particular from reporting about their miss behavior. As OP did, using the least vulgar wording in these scenarios is a virtue.

IAN-UK

when self-reporting an incident includes the claim that the reporter was calm, polite and non-confrontational, I long to hear the other side's story

The OP might have remained calm, and its possible he was polite. But it's hard to credit "non-confrontational" to his behaviour.

ffay005

This was interesting info, so there was a dedicated crew lane but the crew member did not want to use it.

DaveS

I might have moved without being prompted, but the TK captains language was totally unacceptable and inappropriate.

Gnopps

Thanks all for your comments!

In my mind there are two things to note here:

1. Is the pilot allowed to use his uniform to pass other people in the immigration queue to enter Turkey? As explained earlier, I argue not, as there is a separate file for crew and he had himself chosen to stand in line at the back of the single file business class passenger line. It might be that I was in the wrong here and that Turkey immigration allows for uniformed pilots to pass all other people, irrespective of line but I doubt that to be the case.

2. Is it ok for a uniformed pilot to curse at other people? In my mind, it is not appropriate to curse at someone like that - I certainly wouldn't do that in a situation like this. The fact that he was representing his employer makes this even worse. If he is trying to use privileges as captain, then he should also act in that capacity. This might of course be a cultural thing, where it is more acceptable to curse at strangers in some cultures compared to others. (thinking NYC where you here curses more than at my native HEL )?

I did not make wise remark (or how would you define it?). In terms of priority, I again argue that air crew do not have priority to skip past people in the passenger line to reach the immigration booth to exit the airport when there is a separate line for crews (unless instructed otherwise by airport personnel).

I did indeed send a complaint as I believe the pilot was trying to use his uniform to get perks he wasn't entitled to (I may be proven wrong here) and for cursing at me. He was not trying to reach the flight deck, he was exiting the airport.

I too make way for air crew, airport staff, people about to miss their flights, people with small kids, etc (and happily do so as I've been on the receiving end as well ) at especially security control. But as proven here, I do not make way for a pilot in the immigration line to exit the airport in the passenger line, when there is a crew line. In this case the pilot was not entering the airport (to get to a flight) but exiting the airport.

While I don't remember his exact wording, I should defend the pilot here and say that I do think he asked politely albeit in an entitled way. Something like "Could I please pass you, I am a captain." (but again, I do not remember exact wording). As I wrote earlier, he was already pretty upset though as I could hear him cursing behind me as the queue was moving so slowly.

I am absolutely with you here and am one to ask the same question when I read reports such as these I don't know what else to add here though. We didn't have any interaction prior to him asking me, the only thing I could add is that it took some moments between the curse and him pushing past me during which I explained that I do not believe he was entitled to move past and for him to please see the guard if otherwise.
By saying "Non-confrontational" I mean that I did not try to escalate the situation beyond saying no.

IAN-UK

.. and I was trying to be non-confrontational in my post

You most certainly confronted the pilot, though i'm sure you were not overtly aggressive about it. Although his response was unwarranted, rude and totally unprofessional, and you felt bruised, maybe its something to chalk up to experience.

Sadly, even the smallest element of passive aggression can be a red flag to some temperaments and in certain situations, and for a pilot fresh from the adrenalin of the flight deck that might hit a trigger point.



Years' ago, doing volunteer work in west Africa, I tried the same thing with an army man who marched to the front of a queue for short-supply tickets to a gig (long story): he clicked his fingers and I was marched away. No harm done, but I've chosen my arguments more carefully since

Gnopps

As promised, here is the final update: Turkish Airlines called me and said that they were sorry this happened, but aren't able to investigate it any further as they did not have access to the security camera footage for that area.

mlqsko

Noooooooooooooo!

Oh well.

bvmcginnis

oof, now I've GOT to know what pfeffel words are. I will probably be sorry I looked it up.