What the Airline Knows About the Guy in Seat 14C
Jun 21, 2018, 2:50 pm
#16
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: DEN
Programs: UA GS, Marriott Gold
Posts: 174
Obviously a level of this was already going on - the whole inconsistently applied food order process in first would go to 1K/GS first and then to others. I'd say this happened maybe 1/3 of the time. Not sure how consistently communicated that process was.
But more than a few times in the big planes I will get a nod and thanks for the GS thing during the purser rounds. After that there isn't much of any kind of additional call out.
But more than a few times in the big planes I will get a nod and thanks for the GS thing during the purser rounds. After that there isn't much of any kind of additional call out.
Jun 21, 2018, 3:03 pm
#17
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Cleveland, OH
Programs: UA-GS 1MM), Hertz Pres Circle, Starriott Titanium)
Posts: 1,966
Evidently I didn't recoil enough. Was flying EZE-EWR in J on my last birthday, and not only was wished a happy birthday when the FA first came by, but was asked what I would like for my "birthday dinner" and "birthday dessert" when he was taking my orders. Had I been 10, I might have appreciated it more, but at forty-some it seemed a bit over the top.
Jun 21, 2018, 3:15 pm
#18
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: 4éme
Posts: 12,038
A few months ago I was flying ORD-JAX in Y and asked for a snack box and was reading to show my BP with "1K" but the FA tapped on a mobile device and gave it to me without asking. I don't mind them knowing about my details.
Jun 21, 2018, 4:15 pm
#19
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: San Francisco/Sydney
Programs: UA 1K/MM, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Something, IHG Gold, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 8,156
FA's have always had access to some of this data via the flight manifest (printout). This would rarely be used in economy, but in First/Business it was frequently used for everything from addressing passengers by name, recognizing status, and in particular, prioritizing meals (at least internationally). Of course, exactly how much they used it for these things depended on the flight crew (as it still does).
Jun 21, 2018, 5:33 pm
#21
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: DEN/OGG
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 1,482
Jun 21, 2018, 5:34 pm
#22
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: San Francisco
Programs: UA MM Plat, UA 1MM, Hilton Lifetime Gold, Marriott Gold, Hertz Gold, CLEAR, AS MVP Gold
Posts: 3,617
FA's have always had access to some of this data via the flight manifest (printout). This would rarely be used in economy, but in First/Business it was frequently used for everything from addressing passengers by name, recognizing status, and in particular, prioritizing meals (at least internationally). Of course, exactly how much they used it for these things depended on the flight crew (as it still does).
Jun 21, 2018, 7:06 pm
#23
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: 4éme
Posts: 12,038
Jun 21, 2018, 7:35 pm
#24
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: LAS
Programs: 3 MMer
Posts: 458
I haven't needed my b/p or credit card in over a year, if riding in the back, and not upgraded, as my 1K status pops up in their handheld thing-a-magig during processing of a drink, and/or food!
Jun 21, 2018, 8:08 pm
#25
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Catania, Sicily/South Jersey (PHL)/Houston, Texas/Red Stick/airborne in-between
Programs: United Global Svs, AA PlatPro, WN RR, AZ/ITA Freccia, Hilton Diam, Bonvoy Gold, Hertz Prez, IHG
Posts: 3,541
Jun 21, 2018, 8:40 pm
#26
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: PDX
Programs: AS DL
Posts: 9,038
I do not want to be wished Happy Birthday. I wouldn't mind being wished Happy Anniversary of Mileage Plus membership.
I hope I don't get tagged as a Bag Bigger Than Sizer violator. Usually I do not but I have at least 2-3 times in my lifetime.
I hope I don't get tagged as a Bag Bigger Than Sizer violator. Usually I do not but I have at least 2-3 times in my lifetime.
Jun 21, 2018, 10:32 pm
#28
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Heading to Costco for more popcorn...
Programs: UA 1K 2MM Flier, SPG Plt, Hilton Dia
Posts: 8,461
Earlier this year I had a flight attendant discreetly wish me a happy birthday on flights the day before and day of. I asked one of them how she knew and she walked me through the various color-coded and asterisked entries on their app. It was interesting to see how UA is providing them more information about the pax.
Jun 21, 2018, 10:50 pm
#29
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Israel/United States
Posts: 1,234
This is great for those with status, but what about the poor passenger who may have paid full price for their business or first class seat and is not making a connection. These individuals can get relegated to nobody status. They become second class, a sub tier.
There is an assumption that if you don't have a connecting flight, you have no where to be by a certain time. Sorry, if you were stupid enough to book a tight, risky connection, why should others be held back to accomadate you?
Every status passenger started, at some point with zero. I don't think this will help them want to stay with the airline. AND some people will never fly enough for status, but when they do fly want service and are paying for it.
There is an assumption that if you don't have a connecting flight, you have no where to be by a certain time. Sorry, if you were stupid enough to book a tight, risky connection, why should others be held back to accomadate you?
Every status passenger started, at some point with zero. I don't think this will help them want to stay with the airline. AND some people will never fly enough for status, but when they do fly want service and are paying for it.
Jun 21, 2018, 11:07 pm
#30
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: SNA
Programs: UA LT Plat, 2.5mm, Hilton LTD, SPG LT Gold, Marriott Gold, Hertz Whatever
Posts: 161
I dunno. Beyond the credit card and passport/citizenship info already cited I could see that access to all information could lead to undesirable situations. E.g., (completely hypothetical)
"Oh, Mr. Notquiteaff, welcome aboard. I am sorry that your trip back from Hawaii last week was so much delayed; today we should be right on time".
(when sitting next to my wife, who thought my last trip was a business trip to Bismarck, ND when really I hung out in Waikiki with my "personal assistant").
I am reminded of the "Welcome Back, Mr. Notquiteaff" greeting at a resort hotel I had never actually stayed at when checking in with my wife next to me.
"Oh, Mr. Notquiteaff, welcome aboard. I am sorry that your trip back from Hawaii last week was so much delayed; today we should be right on time".
(when sitting next to my wife, who thought my last trip was a business trip to Bismarck, ND when really I hung out in Waikiki with my "personal assistant").
I am reminded of the "Welcome Back, Mr. Notquiteaff" greeting at a resort hotel I had never actually stayed at when checking in with my wife next to me.