Racial profiling by United premier rep
Feb 10, 2018, 2:30 pm
#31
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Of course we're all just speculating about the agent's motivations, and none of us can tell OP whether his suspicions are correct.
Feb 10, 2018, 2:33 pm
#32
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People would rather believe that sort of odious conduct doesn't occur and will opt for the less troubling explanation. Particularly if they've received similar treatment based on age or manner of dress.
Of course we're all just speculating about the agent's motivations, and none of us can tell OP whether his suspicions are correct.
Of course we're all just speculating about the agent's motivations, and none of us can tell OP whether his suspicions are correct.
Feb 10, 2018, 2:33 pm
#33
Join Date: May 2000
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When I was in my early 30s I looked more like early 20s. I am female too. I used to get this stuff pretty often, more on Continental than United though.
Sorry. File the report.
Sorry. File the report.
Feb 10, 2018, 2:36 pm
#34
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: SAN
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And some ignore the customer and service part so it is just an industry/commodity. I know they FAs are there for our safety but when that it all they are there for it is time to find the LCC (which may very well be UA soon.)
Feb 10, 2018, 2:45 pm
#35
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I couldn't find a link to the interview, but I once read that famous Olympian Shaun White was sometimes accused of using his father's MP card to "sneak" into the Red Carpet club when flying internationally. One wonders if dealing with the public for a living leads to this sort of tendency to process snap judgements in an instant. I can tell you that I used to get plenty of long looks when I was an early/mid-thirties GS (add to that I've always looked young for my age according to most - I still get carded north of age 45!).
Feb 10, 2018, 2:47 pm
#36
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I think age/dress profiling is the issue. My recent LAX-SIN flight had the same issue. Boarding door 1L was asked to produce my bp..i said seat 4e...sir may i see your bp...rolled eyes as previous 4 pax were not asked...then saw my bp with 1k on it...said it is a security messure to ensure you boarded the correct flight. So not only was i profiled, but my intelligence was questioned. The second FA saw the exchange and saw the 1k bp from afar. I think he saw my reaction to the security comment, so welcomed me by offering a beverage right then and there. Glad the first FA was not serving me.rest of flight was great and they had hot bites!
It's a customer service industry...just some employees ignore the customer part.
It's a customer service industry...just some employees ignore the customer part.
GC
Feb 10, 2018, 2:55 pm
#37
Join Date: Aug 2007
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who said i dismissed it...i merely stated my opinion based on empirical evidence from my own experiences. I guess i didnt jump to same conclusion as you. So here is a little more data from my encounter. The FA was African American and the second was Asian. So i should have assumed the agent asking me about my bp was racist? I left that part out about race because i didnt believe it played a role in my treatment nor did it cross my mind.
Feb 10, 2018, 3:05 pm
#38
Join Date: May 2009
Location: SIN (with a bit of ZRH sprinkled in)
Posts: 9,455
When I was a few years younger and (already) held Senator status with LH (group), I often got that "Economy is over there" sign. Guess what, I loved to sarcastically ask if flying Business (or even First) and being Senator is about enough to queue here. Of course NOT subtle enough so they would feel that I was massively annoyed by their approach. On the other hand, some of the "bouncers" are employed by airlines for EXACTLY that: Being racial idiots that sort out anyone that doesn't look like they belong here.
Want to fight that? Tell airlines not to PAY for people that do pre-sorting based on look (and age) of passengers. They CAN'T do their job differently than they're doing now. Airlines are to blame, not staff actually doing what they're being told.
Want to fight that? Tell airlines not to PAY for people that do pre-sorting based on look (and age) of passengers. They CAN'T do their job differently than they're doing now. Airlines are to blame, not staff actually doing what they're being told.
Feb 10, 2018, 3:31 pm
#39
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: MidSouth
Programs: AA; Delta GM
Posts: 728
Hi All,
I've been traveling 75-100K miles a year for the past 6-7 years, most of my travel is with United. Last year was the first time I made it to 1K. I'm middle eastern, brown skinned, and often have beard. Every now and then I run into situations where I'm "randomly" selected to additional search, but that's about it. Yesterday, I've run into what I believe is ugly racial profiling by United 1K/Premier rep, in Boston Logan airport. You'd be the judge:
9:20am: Landed in BOS from YHZ and started running to make my short connection to UA525.
9:25am: Noticed my eTicket doesn't show up in the United app, and the hard copy I have is still showing Y.
9:30am: Arrived to the 1K/Premier desk in Logan airport, first in line.
- this is where things started to get ugly
9:32am: My turn comes, I walk towards the check-in counter and hear the United rep shouting towards me (I'm the only person there) "this line is for F and 1K passengers only, you need to go there" pointing at the Economy check-in, I kept walking towards the lady in the 1K check-in counter and the lady kept persisting that I belong in the economy check-in before even validating ID, ticket or class. I responded and asked her "how do you know I'm not F or 1K passenger?" and she mumbled something to herself. At this point I told her I'm flying F and 1K, and she printed my ticket, before cheerfully saying "you will not make it anyway" implying that I will miss my connecting flight. At this point I asked for her badge information as I wanted to file a complaint later but turned around and left.
9:35am: Rushing to clear security
9:40am: Made it in time to board my flight
I've been traveling 75-100K miles a year for the past 6-7 years, most of my travel is with United. Last year was the first time I made it to 1K. I'm middle eastern, brown skinned, and often have beard. Every now and then I run into situations where I'm "randomly" selected to additional search, but that's about it. Yesterday, I've run into what I believe is ugly racial profiling by United 1K/Premier rep, in Boston Logan airport. You'd be the judge:
9:20am: Landed in BOS from YHZ and started running to make my short connection to UA525.
9:25am: Noticed my eTicket doesn't show up in the United app, and the hard copy I have is still showing Y.
9:30am: Arrived to the 1K/Premier desk in Logan airport, first in line.
- this is where things started to get ugly
9:32am: My turn comes, I walk towards the check-in counter and hear the United rep shouting towards me (I'm the only person there) "this line is for F and 1K passengers only, you need to go there" pointing at the Economy check-in, I kept walking towards the lady in the 1K check-in counter and the lady kept persisting that I belong in the economy check-in before even validating ID, ticket or class. I responded and asked her "how do you know I'm not F or 1K passenger?" and she mumbled something to herself. At this point I told her I'm flying F and 1K, and she printed my ticket, before cheerfully saying "you will not make it anyway" implying that I will miss my connecting flight. At this point I asked for her badge information as I wanted to file a complaint later but turned around and left.
9:35am: Rushing to clear security
9:40am: Made it in time to board my flight
You don't have to say a word, but this may happen to others if you do not report it. I wouldn't accuse anyone of anything. I'd just let UA know of your experience and point out how easily it could be misconstrued as racism.
Feb 10, 2018, 3:46 pm
#40
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Montreal, Quebec
Programs: United, Bonvoy, NEXUS/GE, Amex Plat
Posts: 125
I’m definitely on the younger end as far as 1Ks go, and I’ve gotten the “redirection” instructions at check in a handful of times myself. Most often at LGA or EWR. Personally, I always assumed it was because of my age, or that I like to fly in jeans and a hoodie, not because I’m Asian. I don’t let it bother me.
FWIW, my colleague who is around the same age and also Asian has told me that she occasionally gets the same remarks as a Delta Diamond.
FWIW, my colleague who is around the same age and also Asian has told me that she occasionally gets the same remarks as a Delta Diamond.
Feb 10, 2018, 3:49 pm
#41
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Feb 10, 2018, 3:59 pm
#42
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As a young frequent flyer, this happens to me all the time, but mostly on United by the agents manning the front of the 1K lines. “Honey, this is the first class line. You need to check-in over there.” (Points at economy)
One time, even after I told the agent I was 1K, she told me “sir, I don’t think you heard me. You are in the wrong line.”
One time, even after I told the agent I was 1K, she told me “sir, I don’t think you heard me. You are in the wrong line.”
I'm white. I don't think it's racial.
I think age/dress profiling is the issue. My recent LAX-SIN flight had the same issue. Boarding door 1L was asked to produce my bp..i said seat 4e...sir may i see your bp...rolled eyes as previous 4 pax were not asked...then saw my bp with 1k on it...said it is a security messure to ensure you boarded the correct flight. So not only was i profiled, but my intelligence was questioned. The second FA saw the exchange and saw the 1k bp from afar. I think he saw my reaction to the security comment, so welcomed me by offering a beverage right then and there. Glad the first FA was not serving me.rest of flight was great and they had hot bites!
I couldn't find a link to the interview, but I once read that famous Olympian Shaun White was sometimes accused of using his father's MP card to "sneak" into the Red Carpet club when flying internationally. One wonders if dealing with the public for a living leads to this sort of tendency to process snap judgements in an instant. I can tell you that I used to get plenty of long looks when I was an early/mid-thirties GS (add to that I've always looked young for my age according to most - I still get carded north of age 45!).
Anyway, I don't think this is racial at all, but it should definitely be reported. And don't mention race.
Feb 10, 2018, 3:59 pm
#43
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: LAS
Programs: 3 MMer
Posts: 458
Who knows what goes on in a t/a's head. Most of them are ticked off before they even get to work, and it gets worse as the day rolls on. With the kiosk's, most of them have become super lazy, and they direct nearly everyone in another direction/line/machine, so they can just stand there with their arms folded. One's racial makeup, may or may not be the case here, but I'd be careful about accusing someone if I wasn't positively certain. However, this seems to be the flavor of the day!!! 
Feb 10, 2018, 4:52 pm
#44
Join Date: Dec 2014
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Hi All,
I've been traveling 75-100K miles a year for the past 6-7 years, most of my travel is with United. Last year was the first time I made it to 1K. I'm middle eastern, brown skinned, and often have beard. Every now and then I run into situations where I'm "randomly" selected to additional search, but that's about it. Yesterday, I've run into what I believe is ugly racial profiling by United 1K/Premier rep, in Boston Logan airport. You'd be the judge:
9:20am: Landed in BOS from YHZ and started running to make my short connection to UA525.
9:25am: Noticed my eTicket doesn't show up in the United app, and the hard copy I have is still showing Y.
9:30am: Arrived to the 1K/Premier desk in Logan airport, first in line.
- this is where things started to get ugly
9:32am: My turn comes, I walk towards the check-in counter and hear the United rep shouting towards me (I'm the only person there) "this line is for F and 1K passengers only, you need to go there" pointing at the Economy check-in, I kept walking towards the lady in the 1K check-in counter and the lady kept persisting that I belong in the economy check-in before even validating ID, ticket or class. I responded and asked her "how do you know I'm not F or 1K passenger?" and she mumbled something to herself. At this point I told her I'm flying F and 1K, and she printed my ticket, before cheerfully saying "you will not make it anyway" implying that I will miss my connecting flight. At this point I asked for her badge information as I wanted to file a complaint later but turned around and left.
9:35am: Rushing to clear security
9:40am: Made it in time to board my flight
I've been traveling 75-100K miles a year for the past 6-7 years, most of my travel is with United. Last year was the first time I made it to 1K. I'm middle eastern, brown skinned, and often have beard. Every now and then I run into situations where I'm "randomly" selected to additional search, but that's about it. Yesterday, I've run into what I believe is ugly racial profiling by United 1K/Premier rep, in Boston Logan airport. You'd be the judge:
9:20am: Landed in BOS from YHZ and started running to make my short connection to UA525.
9:25am: Noticed my eTicket doesn't show up in the United app, and the hard copy I have is still showing Y.
9:30am: Arrived to the 1K/Premier desk in Logan airport, first in line.
- this is where things started to get ugly
9:32am: My turn comes, I walk towards the check-in counter and hear the United rep shouting towards me (I'm the only person there) "this line is for F and 1K passengers only, you need to go there" pointing at the Economy check-in, I kept walking towards the lady in the 1K check-in counter and the lady kept persisting that I belong in the economy check-in before even validating ID, ticket or class. I responded and asked her "how do you know I'm not F or 1K passenger?" and she mumbled something to herself. At this point I told her I'm flying F and 1K, and she printed my ticket, before cheerfully saying "you will not make it anyway" implying that I will miss my connecting flight. At this point I asked for her badge information as I wanted to file a complaint later but turned around and left.
9:35am: Rushing to clear security
9:40am: Made it in time to board my flight
If you FEEL that you have be slighted please do file a complaint.
I have been doing his much longer than FF programs or the tsa have been around. Back before these programs began the opinion of the gate guard was held higher than now and could make or break you chances of approaching the counter or scoring a better seat. Your dress, your overall appearance, and your attitude only took you so far. Over this time being shouted at by an airline representative has been the least of my experiences. Random selections, short visits ( and some not so) to a ’interview’ room, being escorted off the premises are among the many memories I have so are at counter up grades and lounge access passes!
Feb 10, 2018, 4:58 pm
#45
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 687
Appears profiling and handled poorly --- but could it be an age issue or manner of dress? Others have mentioned those as issues.
Were you lacking a BP to get thru security? Otherwise I would gone to the gate (to save time) to address the seat issue. Or used a kiosk.
Were you lacking a BP to get thru security? Otherwise I would gone to the gate (to save time) to address the seat issue. Or used a kiosk.
That being said, saying “this line is for 1K/F” and pointing towards Economy is 100% a case worth escalating.