Jan 30, 2024, 12:22 am
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
This is an archive thread, the active thread is DYKWIA stories (Traveling on United Airlines)
DYKWIA stories (Travelling on United Airlines) (Archive)
Oct 31, 2022, 12:31 pm
#2821
Join Date: Apr 2005
Programs: UA 1K, MM
Posts: 389
I'm not sure which is worse, stopping at the bottom of the escalator or at the top of the escalator! Clueless, presumably, that he's the one most at risk of being toppled and injured...
Oct 31, 2022, 12:34 pm
#2822
Join Date: Oct 2018
Programs: Mileage Plus, Marriott Rewards, Southwest Rapid Rewards
Posts: 686
Oct 31, 2022, 4:58 pm
#2823
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Bucks County
Programs: UAL GS & Million Miler; Delta Lifetime Gold; Hilton Diamond; Marriott Platinum; Legion Etrangere
Posts: 1,609
ATL to IAH last Thursday.
Started in the lounge. As I was walking out a very frustrated older man was too, upset that his first class domestic ticket didn't give him lounge access. "This is why I never fly UA" he says. Sure enough Mr Important was on my flight.
As they were lining up everyone to board he goes up to the GA and says I'm first class where do I go? She points to Group 1. He says no I'm first class I should be ahead of these people. Oh and my friend isn't here yet and he should be boarding with me, or he should get to cut the line too if I'm already on the plane.
Worst part was the gate agent let him go ahead of Group 1, after GS/1K.
Well 2 hours later we deplane due to a mechanical, flight is kicked to the next day.
Had one more run in with him in Houston. He stops at the bottom of the escalator to baggage, blocking everyone behind him to ask the TSA agent where to go for rental cars.
Started in the lounge. As I was walking out a very frustrated older man was too, upset that his first class domestic ticket didn't give him lounge access. "This is why I never fly UA" he says. Sure enough Mr Important was on my flight.
As they were lining up everyone to board he goes up to the GA and says I'm first class where do I go? She points to Group 1. He says no I'm first class I should be ahead of these people. Oh and my friend isn't here yet and he should be boarding with me, or he should get to cut the line too if I'm already on the plane.
Worst part was the gate agent let him go ahead of Group 1, after GS/1K.
Well 2 hours later we deplane due to a mechanical, flight is kicked to the next day.
Had one more run in with him in Houston. He stops at the bottom of the escalator to baggage, blocking everyone behind him to ask the TSA agent where to go for rental cars.
Oct 31, 2022, 7:09 pm
#2824
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: NYC / TYO / Up in the Air
Programs: UA GS 1.7MM, AA 2.1MM, EK, BA, SQ, CX, Marriot LT, Accor P
Posts: 6,318
That could totally be my Dad.... His knowledge of the real world ended about 20 year ago....
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Nov 1, 2022 at 12:26 am Reason: removed deleted post quote
Oct 31, 2022, 7:44 pm
#2825
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: CLE, DCA, and 30k feet
Programs: Honors LT Diamond; United 1K; Hertz PC
Posts: 4,165
50/50 here... The asking for directions I'd say isn't DYKWIA (though some situational awareness to move out of the flow of traffic would generally be appreciated -- I know I've been in airports with below average wayfinding signage and if things are already not going your way [delay, etc.] it's very easy to become fixated on the task and lose awareness of anything else, elderly or not)
On the other hand, insisting that because you're in first you should/need to board other than when the GA has clearly indicated the proper location (and that an unseen colleague needs to jump the line too)... About a 2-3 on the DYKWIA scale, IMO.
On the other hand, insisting that because you're in first you should/need to board other than when the GA has clearly indicated the proper location (and that an unseen colleague needs to jump the line too)... About a 2-3 on the DYKWIA scale, IMO.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Nov 1, 2022 at 12:27 am Reason: removed deleted post quote
Oct 31, 2022, 8:05 pm
#2826
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 15,026
). He probably flies WN mostly, so hasn't run into lounge issues or F tickets before.
Nov 1, 2022, 5:57 am
#2827
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Latin America and USA
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Gold
Posts: 456
Yeah - he thought he was really special and didn't need to bother with the boarding protocol indicated to him. Definite;ly a DYKWIA, especially with the denial at the UC ("this is why I don't fly UA anymore" - although he had a UA ticket ). He probably flies WN mostly, so hasn't run into lounge issues or F tickets before.
). He probably flies WN mostly, so hasn't run into lounge issues or F tickets before.
Nov 1, 2022, 9:19 am
#2828
Join Date: Jul 2011
Programs: AA Plat, UA 1K>Plat>moving to Silver
Posts: 2,090
I would think each and every person who buys their first First Class ticket thinks it gets them into the lounge. And there may be more people doing that on a given day than there are posting on FT. Heck, I might have thought that the first time I ever flew F, too, but it is too long ago to remember.
Polaris lounges must get that the worst. I have visited them twice so far, and both times someone was trying to talk their way in. I used to see that a lot at the old GlobalFirst lounge at IAD as well.
Polaris lounges must get that the worst. I have visited them twice so far, and both times someone was trying to talk their way in. I used to see that a lot at the old GlobalFirst lounge at IAD as well.
Nov 1, 2022, 9:31 am
#2829
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: CLE, DCA, and 30k feet
Programs: Honors LT Diamond; United 1K; Hertz PC
Posts: 4,165
I would think each and every person who buys their first First Class ticket thinks it gets them into the lounge. And there may be more people doing that on a given day than there are posting on FT. Heck, I might have thought that the first time I ever flew F, too, but it is too long ago to remember.
Polaris lounges must get that the worst. I have visited them twice so far, and both times someone was trying to talk their way in. I used to see that a lot at the old GlobalFirst lounge at IAD as well.
Polaris lounges must get that the worst. I have visited them twice so far, and both times someone was trying to talk their way in. I used to see that a lot at the old GlobalFirst lounge at IAD as well.
Nov 1, 2023, 11:11 pm
#2830
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.997MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,859
This is an archive thread, the active thread is
DYKWIA stories (Traveling on United Airlines)
WineCountryUA
UA coModerator
DYKWIA stories (Traveling on United Airlines)
WineCountryUA
UA coModerator
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Jan 30, 2024 at 12:11 am