FA addressing pax by first name
Apr 1, 2018, 5:43 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: GEG/DEN/ATL
Programs: UA 1K, TK E+, AS MVPG, SPG&Marriott Plat, HHD, Hertz PC
Posts: 407
FA addressing pax by first name
I was on a UAX flight from IAH today. Upgrade cleared. F/A taking drink orders after takeoff. She proceeds to call everyone by their first name. I find this highly unprofessional. I can not even imagine if a colleague of mine addresses one of our clients by their first name if they've never met before. It baffles me that the employee representing UA would utilize the manifest to address passengers by name yet not use Mr. or Ms./Mrs. accordingly. What do you guys think? Am I overreacting?
Apr 1, 2018, 6:24 pm
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,404
It would bother me, but it's also the way things are going these days (in America, anyway). Well over half of phone agents from all services I contact will address me by my first name immediately after doing identity verification. I genuinely can't remember what UA agents do.. I think they still use last names?
Apr 1, 2018, 6:33 pm
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: SFO/SJC
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 14,884
I suppose everyone’s different, and has different pet peeves, etc., but especially based on the passion you have, yes, way over-reacting.
Im still (relatively) young, but when I get called by Mr. [lastbame], I almost want to ask where my father is. My dad was the same when he was younger. I definitely don’t have a problem with people referring to my first name, especially in an industry like airlines where it is rrelatively informal these days. Not everyone wears a suit when they fly, things are a bit more lax now.
Also, if this is the biggest issue you have with UA these days, then I’d argue your flying life is pretty excellent. I can assure you that many on this board barely even get the upgrade you speak of.
Im still (relatively) young, but when I get called by Mr. [lastbame], I almost want to ask where my father is. My dad was the same when he was younger. I definitely don’t have a problem with people referring to my first name, especially in an industry like airlines where it is rrelatively informal these days. Not everyone wears a suit when they fly, things are a bit more lax now.
Also, if this is the biggest issue you have with UA these days, then I’d argue your flying life is pretty excellent. I can assure you that many on this board barely even get the upgrade you speak of.
Apr 1, 2018, 6:50 pm
#10
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: NYC
Posts: 20
Apr 1, 2018, 6:58 pm
#13
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: RIC
Programs: UA 1K MM
Posts: 3,387
Flight attendants share their first names in announcements and on their badges. What's wrong with the same for customers, unless some people just have a superiority complex? We're all humans. Traveling on a plane isn't a legal proceeding or royal banquet.
