anyone seen the new FA app?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: New York City
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 62
#4
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: SEA
Programs: UA SP, DL SM MM, AS 75K, SPG Platinum, Hyatt Diamond.
Posts: 2,596
#5
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,421
The Gawker "article" refers to the information as including passenger addresses (so that FAs can help people to rebook tickets???? this doesn't require an address). This would make me uncomfortable since I'm sure that there are some stalkers and other weird people out there among FAs.
#6
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Arlington, VA
Posts: 397
This comment from the Gawker comment section neatly sums up my views on this:
"'Hacks have been in the news a lot lately. Is there any way we could make the information our passengers give us less secure? A way to really just gift-wrap that {stuff}?'
-United Airlines executives"
"'Hacks have been in the news a lot lately. Is there any way we could make the information our passengers give us less secure? A way to really just gift-wrap that {stuff}?'
-United Airlines executives"
#7
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: MRY - CNX - TXL
Programs: UA 1K / *G / Marriott PE / Expedia Gold+ / Hertz PC
Posts: 7,058
*yawn*
More people worried about simple info that they already have given out all over the internet over the past decade or two.
If you want to live off the grid...I don't know what to tell you in 2015.
P.S. I flew on my birthday NRT-SFO and I would have welcomed a happy birthday.
More people worried about simple info that they already have given out all over the internet over the past decade or two.
If you want to live off the grid...I don't know what to tell you in 2015.
P.S. I flew on my birthday NRT-SFO and I would have welcomed a happy birthday.
#8
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: BDL/NYC/BOS
Programs: UA/*A Gold, Global Entry, Marriott Plat, Hilton+IHG Gold, Hertz PC, DL
Posts: 1,752
the united spokesperson referred to a FT thread to deflect the PII concerns.... we've come full circle, folks!
full link is: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...gnition-7.html
The following link will take you to a conversation on the frequent-flyer forum FlyerTalk, where customers express how much they enjoy United recognizing milestones like birthdays.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/united-a...
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/united-a...
#10
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: MRY - CNX - TXL
Programs: UA 1K / *G / Marriott PE / Expedia Gold+ / Hertz PC
Posts: 7,058
I would imagine it also has manifest info/data as well.
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Programs: DL PM, MR Titanium/LTP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10,130
Don't mind the birthday (have been ID'd once or twice in both F and Y in the past and wouldn't mind avoiding that) and it is a nice customer service touch (though it would be better if they actually did something with it like offer a complimentary drink if in Y).
What concerns me are the addresses and any potential information about how the passenger arrived in that seat (upgrade, award ticket, etc.). Ticket specific information opens up the possibility of biased service for example a flight attendant who doesn't like upgraders serving them last or not giving them full attention (when IMO FAs should be ticket agnostic and any bias should be by status to reward loyalty and that's it).
What concerns me are the addresses and any potential information about how the passenger arrived in that seat (upgrade, award ticket, etc.). Ticket specific information opens up the possibility of biased service for example a flight attendant who doesn't like upgraders serving them last or not giving them full attention (when IMO FAs should be ticket agnostic and any bias should be by status to reward loyalty and that's it).
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Houston
Programs: UA Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 12,698
What concerns me are the addresses and any potential information about how the passenger arrived in that seat (upgrade, award ticket, etc.). Ticket specific information opens up the possibility of biased service for example a flight attendant who doesn't like upgraders serving them last or not giving them full attention (when IMO FAs should be ticket agnostic and any bias should be by status to reward loyalty and that's it).
#13
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: NYC: UA 1K, DL Platinum, AAirpass, Avis PC
Posts: 4,599
Every airline agent you interact with has had access to the same info for years, decades.
Every hotel rep has the same info and more.
Our names, status, and those UA stars have been taped up in galleys forever for every lavatory user to see. Other airlines have shown even more info on manifests.
Heck aside from birthday my name and address is on every magazine and newspaper I leave behind.
Other than not wanting people to announce your birthday what is it about the company representative in flight knowing the same info every other airline rep sees that creeps people out?
I guess something about the small size of a cabin and close quarters with others, and having to be under this person's authority in those quarters.
Maybe it's the reverse of the same phenomena that makes some of us so excited about being served a meal on board. You rarely get someone serving you in such close quarters in a restaurant.
Every hotel rep has the same info and more.
Our names, status, and those UA stars have been taped up in galleys forever for every lavatory user to see. Other airlines have shown even more info on manifests.
Heck aside from birthday my name and address is on every magazine and newspaper I leave behind.
Other than not wanting people to announce your birthday what is it about the company representative in flight knowing the same info every other airline rep sees that creeps people out?
I guess something about the small size of a cabin and close quarters with others, and having to be under this person's authority in those quarters.
Maybe it's the reverse of the same phenomena that makes some of us so excited about being served a meal on board. You rarely get someone serving you in such close quarters in a restaurant.
#14
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Houston, TX, USA
Programs: UA Platinum, AA Lifetime Platinum, DL Platinum, Honors Diamond, Bonvoy Ambassador, Hertz Platinum
Posts: 7,974
What concerns me are the addresses and any potential information about how the passenger arrived in that seat (upgrade, award ticket, etc.). Ticket specific information opens up the possibility of biased service for example a flight attendant who doesn't like upgraders serving them last or not giving them full attention (when IMO FAs should be ticket agnostic and any bias should be by status to reward loyalty and that's it).
#15
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Washington DC and Denver CO
Programs: UA 1K, Bonvoy Titanium/LT Gold
Posts: 379
Friend is a FA, she told me she can see my birthday, status, itinerary, reservations, city and state. Found part of this out when she texted me that she just missed me in BOS this weekend.
I asked her about fare class and UG method, she said she "didn't think so" but the app was brand new to her so she'd have to poke around. I gave her permission to look at whatever she wanted about me - hopefully I'll get her on a flight so I can find exactly what they see.
She also told me different people have different accesses, but not sure what this means exactly. Will ask her next time I run into her.
I asked her about fare class and UG method, she said she "didn't think so" but the app was brand new to her so she'd have to poke around. I gave her permission to look at whatever she wanted about me - hopefully I'll get her on a flight so I can find exactly what they see.
She also told me different people have different accesses, but not sure what this means exactly. Will ask her next time I run into her.