Jan 9, 2016, 2:50 pm
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
A thread making {gentle} fun of the anonymous "Don't You Know Who I Am" (DYKWIAs) we run across in our travels.
Previous thread DYKWIA stories (Traveling on United Airlines) (Archive)
Previous thread DYKWIA stories (Traveling on United Airlines) (Archive)
DYKWIA stories (Traveling on United Airlines)
Apr 17, 2023, 8:36 pm
#46
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Los Angeles / Basel
Programs: UA 1K MM, AA EXP, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 26,916
If crew treated OP like this was his fault, I blame the FAs.
Apr 17, 2023, 8:44 pm
#47
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: 6,296
And once again we only know one side of the story... As everyone here knows I am no UA apologist and as one of their best travelers for over a decade I can be - and often are - their worst critic -- but I don't agree with this assessment - but just MHO...
Apr 17, 2023, 8:53 pm
#48
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: NYC
Programs: UA GS, AS 75K, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 302
Still on flight (next to pilot who dealt with situation) as seated next to crew rest (757 it’s a blocked seat) so asked. He said it’s the GA who had control and should have made the decision - not his ship until the door closes.
The compensation, though, to other passenger who voluntarily moved was done by FA inflight.
The compensation, though, to other passenger who voluntarily moved was done by FA inflight.
Apr 17, 2023, 8:54 pm
#49
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: 6,296
Still on flight (next to pilot who dealt with situation) as seated next to crew rest (757 it’s a blocked seat) so asked. He said it’s the GA who had control and should have made the decision - not his ship until the door closes.
The compensation, though, to other passenger who voluntarily moved was done by FA inflight.
The compensation, though, to other passenger who voluntarily moved was done by FA inflight.
Apr 17, 2023, 9:29 pm
#50
Moderator: Midwest, Las Vegas & Dining Buzz
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Posts: 17,972
Having read this, I don't necessarily blame the GA. Pax asked to be moved to aisle. GA says no can do. Pax boards with his window BP. Pax finds an open aisle seat and poaches it. How is GA to be blamed (if this is what indeed happened). Seems a likely possibly.
I agree you should receive a voucher at least equal to the other pax. The fact that you weren't offered one sucks big time.
I agree you should receive a voucher at least equal to the other pax. The fact that you weren't offered one sucks big time.
Apr 17, 2023, 9:37 pm
#51
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: 6,296
Having read this, I don't necessarily blame the GA. Pax asked to be moved to aisle. GA says no can do. Pax boards with his window BP. Pax finds an open aisle seat and poaches it. How is GA to be blamed (if this is what indeed happened). Seems a likely possibly.
I agree you should receive a voucher at least equal to the other pax. The fact that you weren't offered one sucks big time.
I agree you should receive a voucher at least equal to the other pax. The fact that you weren't offered one sucks big time.
Apr 17, 2023, 9:41 pm
#52
Moderator: Midwest, Las Vegas & Dining Buzz
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Posts: 17,972
So what was the GA to do? It's obvious that even the Captain couldn't make the pax move. Does the GA have some magical power to make him move?
Apr 17, 2023, 9:47 pm
#53
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: SFO
Programs: UA--no longer 2P as of 3/2012 and don't even care. Never thought I'd say that.
Posts: 781
MEL-LAX 3/18/23
One GS and three 1K get placed in the pre-board pen at MEL and sit quietly waiting. People line up in the BG 1, 2 etc lanes and Mr. DYKWIA rolls up with wife in tow and loudly proclaims to the checker "I'm a 1K so I need to be let through to where they are" and points at the rest of us. Gets let through and sits down, huffing and puffing about security, the line to check-in, blah blah. General blowhard type DYKWIA that I try and stay away from.
The GA announces that she's about to start pre-boarding and he leaps up, chastises his wife for not being Usain Bolt and walks to within three feet of the podium. GA gives him that "oh, you're one of them looks" and calls for Disabled and Needing extra time. He is asked to move aside for the three wheel chairs, which he barely does, and then a goup of about 25 people approach the other boarding lane. They all have the same lanyards on with ID and identical backpacks. GA scans the first person and Mr. DYKWIA flaps his arms about and says "Are you kidding me? Are you kidding me? You're going to pre-board a tour group before ME?, This is ludicrous!!". The GA stepped away from the podium and walked over to him and said in a quiet voice "Sir, this is a handicapped group and they need extra time" to which he responded in a very loud voice "Handicapped, handicapped, there's nothing wrong with them! They're all quiet capable of walking on their own. How are they handicapped'?. One of the chaperones of the group turned to him and said "This is a group of autistic and Down Syndrome athletes going to compete in your country, sir'. At this point Mrs. DYKWIA is doing her best to not look like she's with him and, when all of us wish he'd shut up, he blurts out "Well you can't tell that so its confusing".
GA pre-boards the group and Mr. DYKWIA shuffles back in front of the podium and she calls for military, then GS. I say excuse me to him and he moves a bit over and she says in a nice loud voice 'Thank you for being so patient Mr. L1K", shoots daggers at him and calls for Families with kids and there must have been about a dozen or so
. I was on-board, in my seat, having a PDB before I heard him getting on-board complaining out-loud for anyone close enough to hear so I am guessing the GA took her sweet time to get to the 1K's. They have him to thank for that.
One GS and three 1K get placed in the pre-board pen at MEL and sit quietly waiting. People line up in the BG 1, 2 etc lanes and Mr. DYKWIA rolls up with wife in tow and loudly proclaims to the checker "I'm a 1K so I need to be let through to where they are" and points at the rest of us. Gets let through and sits down, huffing and puffing about security, the line to check-in, blah blah. General blowhard type DYKWIA that I try and stay away from.
The GA announces that she's about to start pre-boarding and he leaps up, chastises his wife for not being Usain Bolt and walks to within three feet of the podium. GA gives him that "oh, you're one of them looks" and calls for Disabled and Needing extra time. He is asked to move aside for the three wheel chairs, which he barely does, and then a goup of about 25 people approach the other boarding lane. They all have the same lanyards on with ID and identical backpacks. GA scans the first person and Mr. DYKWIA flaps his arms about and says "Are you kidding me? Are you kidding me? You're going to pre-board a tour group before ME?, This is ludicrous!!". The GA stepped away from the podium and walked over to him and said in a quiet voice "Sir, this is a handicapped group and they need extra time" to which he responded in a very loud voice "Handicapped, handicapped, there's nothing wrong with them! They're all quiet capable of walking on their own. How are they handicapped'?. One of the chaperones of the group turned to him and said "This is a group of autistic and Down Syndrome athletes going to compete in your country, sir'. At this point Mrs. DYKWIA is doing her best to not look like she's with him and, when all of us wish he'd shut up, he blurts out "Well you can't tell that so its confusing".
GA pre-boards the group and Mr. DYKWIA shuffles back in front of the podium and she calls for military, then GS. I say excuse me to him and he moves a bit over and she says in a nice loud voice 'Thank you for being so patient Mr. L1K", shoots daggers at him and calls for Families with kids and there must have been about a dozen or so
. I was on-board, in my seat, having a PDB before I heard him getting on-board complaining out-loud for anyone close enough to hear so I am guessing the GA took her sweet time to get to the 1K's. They have him to thank for that.
Apr 17, 2023, 9:51 pm
#54
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: TX
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 729
Apr 17, 2023, 9:59 pm
#55
Moderator: Midwest, Las Vegas & Dining Buzz
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Posts: 17,972
iI question her unilateral power to do so. Pick your battles. Would you have wanted an hour-ish delay for that? I agree that this douche should be taught a lesson, but not to the detriment of the other 200 or so pax who could be effected.
Apr 17, 2023, 10:01 pm
#56
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: TX
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 729
certainly very inconvenient for all involved, and possibly cause a chain reaction of a much MUCH larger delay. But that is very explicitly the remedy here
Apr 17, 2023, 10:05 pm
#57
Moderator: Midwest, Las Vegas & Dining Buzz
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Posts: 17,972
Apr 18, 2023, 12:08 am
#58
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Between AUS, EWR, and YTO In a little twisty maze of airline seats, all alike.. but I wanna go home with the armadillo
Programs: CO, NW, & UA forum moderator emeritus
Posts: 35,387
ff the flight. But I agree -- pick your battles.
Apr 18, 2023, 8:43 am
#59
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Programs: UA 1K 1MMer & LT UC (when flying UA); Hyatt Credit Cardist; HHonors Diamond; Marriott Gold via UA 1K
Posts: 6,956
Crew member: “Sir, please take your assigned seat.”
Poacher: “No, thanks. I’m good.”
Crew member (on the intercom): “Folks, we’re ready to close the doors. But, we have one passenger who refuses to take his assigned seat. I’m afraid we can’t leave until everyone is seated in their assigned seat. We’re going to have to sit here until the passenger complies with crew instructions, or exits the aircraft. I realize that many of you have tight connections. I’m truly sorry for the inconvenience. We’ll provide another update once we’re airborne.”
Passengers: “Come on, man!” Groans. And, four-letter words that are against Flyertalk’s T&C’s.
Public shaming 101.
Poacher: “No, thanks. I’m good.”
Crew member (on the intercom): “Folks, we’re ready to close the doors. But, we have one passenger who refuses to take his assigned seat. I’m afraid we can’t leave until everyone is seated in their assigned seat. We’re going to have to sit here until the passenger complies with crew instructions, or exits the aircraft. I realize that many of you have tight connections. I’m truly sorry for the inconvenience. We’ll provide another update once we’re airborne.”
Passengers: “Come on, man!” Groans. And, four-letter words that are against Flyertalk’s T&C’s.
Public shaming 101.
Apr 18, 2023, 10:54 am
#60
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: BUR / LAX
Programs: UA MM/Gold; WN A-list; HH something depending; Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,546
Never forget that FAs are also in charge of plating and serving your food in business. Just like you should be careful to not tick off the kitchen or your server at a restaurant... :-)