DYKWIA stories (Traveling on United Airlines)
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#46
Join Date: Jan 2016
Programs: EK Gold, AA EXP
Posts: 772
Here's a new angle for your consumption.
Waiting in SDF for my return to EWR. No boarding lanes so the usual lousing starts to occur. GA begins the pre-board process and I notice a deadheading pilot from another airline not affiliated with United start to push forward, his BP has BG1. GA calls 'those needing more time to board' and an elderly couple gets on. Military is called but there are none. Pilot begins to move towards the scanner when she calls GS so I scan and get on.
I've stowed my bag and was getting my laptop out when the deadheader, who was sitting across the aisle, says, 'Next time you should make sure the gate agent can see your name on the pass instead of just scanning it and getting on'.
I tell him I'll take it under advisement and he says, 'You better'.
I kind of chuckled at that point and got on with my emails. Long story short, I think he was not pleased that he wasn't on first since he had to stow his bag one row back and not over his seat since the cruddy EMB would only fit my bag in that row.
Waiting in SDF for my return to EWR. No boarding lanes so the usual lousing starts to occur. GA begins the pre-board process and I notice a deadheading pilot from another airline not affiliated with United start to push forward, his BP has BG1. GA calls 'those needing more time to board' and an elderly couple gets on. Military is called but there are none. Pilot begins to move towards the scanner when she calls GS so I scan and get on.
I've stowed my bag and was getting my laptop out when the deadheader, who was sitting across the aisle, says, 'Next time you should make sure the gate agent can see your name on the pass instead of just scanning it and getting on'.
I tell him I'll take it under advisement and he says, 'You better'.
I kind of chuckled at that point and got on with my emails. Long story short, I think he was not pleased that he wasn't on first since he had to stow his bag one row back and not over his seat since the cruddy EMB would only fit my bag in that row.
#47
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: West Orange, NJ
Programs: UA GS, HH Diamond, Hertz Pres.
Posts: 599
I didn't. Not with my wool beanie and 2 days without shaving.
But I wonder if he even knew what that is being he was from XXXXX Airlines.
I thought about giving him that whole rundown but I figured he was just in a pissy mood since he couldn't get on first and that it wouldn't matter.
#48


Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: HKG • Ex SFO, NYC
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP; Marriott Amb; Hyatt Globalist; Shangri-la Diamond; IHG SpireAmb; Hilton D; Accor G
Posts: 3,307
Here's a new angle for your consumption.
Waiting in SDF for my return to EWR. No boarding lanes so the usual lousing starts to occur. GA begins the pre-board process and I notice a deadheading pilot from another airline not affiliated with United start to push forward, his BP has BG1. GA calls 'those needing more time to board' and an elderly couple gets on. Military is called but there are none. Pilot begins to move towards the scanner when she calls GS so I scan and get on.
I've stowed my bag and was getting my laptop out when the deadheader, who was sitting across the aisle, says, 'Next time you should make sure the gate agent can see your name on the pass instead of just scanning it and getting on'.
I tell him I'll take it under advisement and he says, 'You better'.
I kind of chuckled at that point and got on with my emails. Long story short, I think he was not pleased that he wasn't on first since he had to stow his bag one row back and not over his seat since the cruddy EMB would only fit my bag in that row.
Waiting in SDF for my return to EWR. No boarding lanes so the usual lousing starts to occur. GA begins the pre-board process and I notice a deadheading pilot from another airline not affiliated with United start to push forward, his BP has BG1. GA calls 'those needing more time to board' and an elderly couple gets on. Military is called but there are none. Pilot begins to move towards the scanner when she calls GS so I scan and get on.
I've stowed my bag and was getting my laptop out when the deadheader, who was sitting across the aisle, says, 'Next time you should make sure the gate agent can see your name on the pass instead of just scanning it and getting on'.
I tell him I'll take it under advisement and he says, 'You better'.
I kind of chuckled at that point and got on with my emails. Long story short, I think he was not pleased that he wasn't on first since he had to stow his bag one row back and not over his seat since the cruddy EMB would only fit my bag in that row.
#49
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: CLE, DCA, and 30k feet
Programs: Honors LT Diamond; United 1K; Hertz PC
Posts: 3,239
Absolutely. I wait for the beep to make sure I'm actually reconciled onto the flight / I haven't had a last-second upgrade or seat change / I'm actually using the right boarding pass on the right flight... but once it give the "happy beep" the agent is already mentally done caring about you, IME. Only the "angry beep" draws any kind of attention.
#50
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,024
A guy took my bag out of a bin and moved it across the aisle a couple of rows behind me to make space for his. If I had not seen him doing it, I would been in a total panic when we landed and I found my bag missing. I spoke up and of course he lied and said he would have told me but he had no way of knowing who to tell. It still makes me mad to think about it.
#51
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Chicago
Programs: UA GS 1MM, CM PP
Posts: 685
Right, and what about mobile boarding passes...the GA is supposed to look at all of our screens before we scan? What airline is this guy working for?
#52
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, MM, NR; HH Diamond, Bonvoy Gold, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Spire, others
Posts: 11,971
A guy took my bag out of a bin and moved it across the aisle a couple of rows behind me to make space for his. If I had not seen him doing it, I would been in a total panic when we landed and I found my bag missing. I spoke up and of course he lied and said he would have told me but he had no way of knowing who to tell. It still makes me mad to think about it.
#53
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: West Orange, NJ
Programs: UA GS, HH Diamond, Hertz Pres.
Posts: 599
#54
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: somewhere between ORD and Willis Tower
Programs: UA MM, Premier Plat, Costco EM
Posts: 1,388
Boarding gate E12 at ORD last night for ORD-SLC. No priority line signs at gate. Group 1 boarded, as I was walking to gate, agent called group 1-3, so we got in line. I'm about 3 people from gate reader and I get nudge from behind with an iphone from someone trying to walk around me. I turned around, and said "I'm group 1 too, dude." Thankfully he kept his mouth shut.
#55
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Doylestown/Charlotte
Programs: UAL GS & Million M; Delta Gold Medallion (2 mio +); American; Hyatt Platinum Passport, Omni Platinum
Posts: 1,301
A guy took my bag out of a bin and moved it across the aisle a couple of rows behind me to make space for his. If I had not seen him doing it, I would been in a total panic when we landed and I found my bag missing. I spoke up and of course he lied and said he would have told me but he had no way of knowing who to tell. It still makes me mad to think about it.
#56
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 8,295
Coercive seat poacher
TPE-SFO (Polaris seats):
Just before boarding, more than ten non-rev passengers clear into J, including some odd-numbered window seats.
GS preboards, seats himself in 5A.
Passenger who lined up in Group 1 boards, brandishes her BP for 5A, says to seat-occupier, that's my seat.
Fake-5A claims he thought he had sat in 4A.
True-5A says no, gestures to placards.
Fake-5A says OK, hesitates, and then asks if True-5A wouldn't mind swapping since 'his stuff is all there already'.
True-5A explains the difference between 5A and 4A, including that 5A has windows.
Fake-5A stands up, reaches over to close the 4A cubby door and show that 4A has half of a window.
True-5A says something in a dissatisfied tone.
Fake-5A waits.
True-5A says nevermind, accepts swap.
Fake-5A says, Are you sure?, It's an expensive seat, I want to be sure you're happy.
True-5A wants nothing more to do with Fake-5A.
The poacher's appeal sounded disingenuous, and I'd imagine someone flying enough to be granted GS status should be familiar enough with aircraft to find the right seat. I would have liked to have said something to put things right, but couldn't think of a way to insert myself into the situation.
Just before boarding, more than ten non-rev passengers clear into J, including some odd-numbered window seats.
GS preboards, seats himself in 5A.
Passenger who lined up in Group 1 boards, brandishes her BP for 5A, says to seat-occupier, that's my seat.
Fake-5A claims he thought he had sat in 4A.
True-5A says no, gestures to placards.
Fake-5A says OK, hesitates, and then asks if True-5A wouldn't mind swapping since 'his stuff is all there already'.

True-5A explains the difference between 5A and 4A, including that 5A has windows.
Fake-5A stands up, reaches over to close the 4A cubby door and show that 4A has half of a window.
True-5A says something in a dissatisfied tone.
Fake-5A waits.
True-5A says nevermind, accepts swap.
Fake-5A says, Are you sure?, It's an expensive seat, I want to be sure you're happy.

True-5A wants nothing more to do with Fake-5A.
The poacher's appeal sounded disingenuous, and I'd imagine someone flying enough to be granted GS status should be familiar enough with aircraft to find the right seat. I would have liked to have said something to put things right, but couldn't think of a way to insert myself into the situation.

Last edited by fumje; Apr 5, 19 at 12:45 pm Reason: clarify emphasis
#57
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: DEN / SEA
Programs: UA
Posts: 126
I've lost seats like that but thankfully it wasn't on an airplane and the ride only lasted 2 hours.
She had the audacity to tap on my phone while I was still looking at it seated with ear buds in.
Later I checked my own "boarding pass" and it turns out I was in the right seat all along, but she just wanted the window seat.
I didn't want anything to do with this person so I waited until I got off and all she said was "Oh".
She had the audacity to tap on my phone while I was still looking at it seated with ear buds in.
Later I checked my own "boarding pass" and it turns out I was in the right seat all along, but she just wanted the window seat.
I didn't want anything to do with this person so I waited until I got off and all she said was "Oh".
#58
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: SAN
Programs: 1K (since 2008), *G (since 1990), 1MM
Posts: 2,803
TPE-SFO (Polaris seats):
Just before boarding, more than ten non-rev passengers clear into J, including some odd-numbered window seats.
GS preboards, seats himself in 5A.
Passenger who lined up in Group 1 boards, brandishes her BP for 5A, says to seat-occupier, that's my seat.
Fake-5A claims he thought he had sat in 4A.
True-5A says no, gestures to placards.
Fake-5A says OK, hesitates, and then asks if True-5A wouldn't mind swapping since 'his stuff is all there already'.
True-5A explains the difference between 5A and 4A, including that 5A has windows.
Fake-5A stands up, reaches over to close the 4A cubby door and show that 4A has half of a window.
True-5A says something in a dissatisfied tone.
Fake-5A waits.
True-5A says nevermind, accepts swap.
Fake-5A says, Are you sure?, It's an expensive seat, I want to be sure you're happy.
True-5A wants nothing more to do with Fake-5A.
The poacher's appeal sounded disingenuous, and I'd imagine someone flying enough to be granted GS status should be familiar enough with aircraft to find the right seat. I would have liked to have said something to put things right, but couldn't think of a way to insert myself into the situation.
Just before boarding, more than ten non-rev passengers clear into J, including some odd-numbered window seats.
GS preboards, seats himself in 5A.
Passenger who lined up in Group 1 boards, brandishes her BP for 5A, says to seat-occupier, that's my seat.
Fake-5A claims he thought he had sat in 4A.
True-5A says no, gestures to placards.
Fake-5A says OK, hesitates, and then asks if True-5A wouldn't mind swapping since 'his stuff is all there already'.

True-5A explains the difference between 5A and 4A, including that 5A has windows.
Fake-5A stands up, reaches over to close the 4A cubby door and show that 4A has half of a window.
True-5A says something in a dissatisfied tone.
Fake-5A waits.
True-5A says nevermind, accepts swap.
Fake-5A says, Are you sure?, It's an expensive seat, I want to be sure you're happy.

True-5A wants nothing more to do with Fake-5A.
The poacher's appeal sounded disingenuous, and I'd imagine someone flying enough to be granted GS status should be familiar enough with aircraft to find the right seat. I would have liked to have said something to put things right, but couldn't think of a way to insert myself into the situation.

#59
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 8,295
Good suggestion, and I'll have to keep that one in my catalogue.
#60
Join Date: May 2010
Location: AVP & PEK
Programs: UA 1K 1.6MM, Hertz PC
Posts: 4,578