Treated Differently as an Asian Passenger
#16
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 11,347
As someone who stands at the door saying goodbye, I try to say something to almost everyone. Occasionally I do take a brief timeout especially with certain passengers, who for reasons I don't fully get, walk up the aisle and out the door without so much as a lookup. Those passengers are less likely to get at "Buh Bye", "thanks for flying with us", "have a nice day" etc.
If you walk up, make eye contact and say something, anything, I guarantee you almost everyone in my industry will say something back to you. So I would ask the OP, forget about race for a second, what is YOUR behavior as you walk up the aisle towards those standing there? That would give us more information about what might be going on.
If you walk up, make eye contact and say something, anything, I guarantee you almost everyone in my industry will say something back to you. So I would ask the OP, forget about race for a second, what is YOUR behavior as you walk up the aisle towards those standing there? That would give us more information about what might be going on.
#17
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: VPS
Programs: IHG Diamond, Delta PM, Hilton Gold, Accor Gold, Marriott Silver
Posts: 7,209
#19
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,176
If you walk up, make eye contact and say something, anything, I guarantee you almost everyone in my industry will say something back to you. So I would ask the OP, forget about race for a second, what is YOUR behavior as you walk up the aisle towards those standing there? That would give us more information about what might be going on.
OP: I'm white, my wife is Filipina, and I've never noticed what you're saying, nor has my wife ever mentioned it. "Goodbye" seems hit or miss to both of us.
I suggest changing up your routine; if you're Chinese (guessing based on your comment about your last name), say 'zai jian' or 'zoi gin' and see what reaction you get. Or, just say "I'm right here, you know," and laugh, whenever it happens.
I find it difficult to believe that UA FAs suddenly turn racist, en masse, only when you're leaving the plane, so I imagine there must be another explanation. (Honestly, 6'1" and Asian might actually be the reason, especially if your height is mostly in your legs. You may be catching them off guard after they've interacted with you while seated the whole time). Why that wouldn't apply to DL, I can't say, except that DL has a reputation for having better service in general. (That doesn't match my experience, but I don't fly to/from EWR much).
Defending UA twice in one day? Are you feeling OK?
#20
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: England - UK
Posts: 512
Well it's never nice to think people are ignoring you. But at the other extreme when ever we get off a Qatar flight the FA's come round and almost beg my husband on their knees to fly with them again soon. He say's it makes him feel very uncomfortable and embarrassed.
#21
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: BNA
Programs: HH Gold. (Former) UA PP, DL PM, PC Plat
Posts: 8,138
I typically say something to the passengers who look at my while they are passing and don't say anything to those that don't. Some people appreciate the engagement and others prefer to be left alone.
#22
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 11,347
I'm tempted to agree, except that the OP went out of his way to say that he does attempt to engage with the FAs at exit and gets ignored.
OP: I'm white, my wife is Filipina, and I've never noticed what you're saying, nor has my wife ever mentioned it. "Goodbye" seems hit or miss to both of us.
I suggest changing up your routine; if you're Chinese (guessing based on your comment about your last name), say 'zai jian' or 'zoi gin' and see what reaction you get. Or, just say "I'm right here, you know," and laugh, whenever it happens.
I find it difficult to believe that UA FAs suddenly turn racist, en masse, only when you're leaving the plane, so I imagine there must be another explanation. (Honestly, 6'1" and Asian might actually be the reason, especially if your height is mostly in your legs. You may be catching them off guard after they've interacted with you while seated the whole time). Why that wouldn't apply to DL, I can't say, except that DL has a reputation for having better service in general. (That doesn't match my experience, but I don't fly to/from EWR much).
Defending UA twice in one day? Are you feeling OK?
OP: I'm white, my wife is Filipina, and I've never noticed what you're saying, nor has my wife ever mentioned it. "Goodbye" seems hit or miss to both of us.
I suggest changing up your routine; if you're Chinese (guessing based on your comment about your last name), say 'zai jian' or 'zoi gin' and see what reaction you get. Or, just say "I'm right here, you know," and laugh, whenever it happens.
I find it difficult to believe that UA FAs suddenly turn racist, en masse, only when you're leaving the plane, so I imagine there must be another explanation. (Honestly, 6'1" and Asian might actually be the reason, especially if your height is mostly in your legs. You may be catching them off guard after they've interacted with you while seated the whole time). Why that wouldn't apply to DL, I can't say, except that DL has a reputation for having better service in general. (That doesn't match my experience, but I don't fly to/from EWR much).
Defending UA twice in one day? Are you feeling OK?
Maybe UA's large TPAC network and *A agreements mean they see more non-American / non-English-language Asians and have more numerous awkward interactions with them, so they default to silence out of uncertainty. Maybe attendant training doesn't emphasise greeting each passenger, and they don't as regularly stay 'on' during boarding/alighting as DL attendants do. Those are speculation on my part.
Or maybe OP is mistaken in his perception. But honestly it seems like a convincing accounting to me. It's just that after noting the observed experiences, it's hard to figure out where to go next. (Maybe the other airline.)
aside: the changed text colour palate is really messing with my quote technique.
#23
Join Date: May 2010
Location: AVP & PEK
Programs: UA 1K 1.8MM
Posts: 6,274
#24
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: MFR
Programs: UA 1K 1.9MM, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,872
#25
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: SAN
Programs: 1K (since 2008), *G (since 1990), 1MM
Posts: 3,213
I have always endeavored to be polite to all I encountered in my business career - from the cleaner to the CEO as we all.play an essential cog in the business world.. Being a female, white business executive it came with the territory in the 1990s through 2008. Did I let it upset me? No. Irritate me? On occasion. However, end goal was to get to my destination safe and alive. Always achieved.
Sorry OP has those experiences but if they are the worst thing he experiences in life he should be thankful.
#26
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: DAY
Programs: UA 1K 1MM; Marriott LT Titanium; Amex MR; Chase UR; Hertz PC; Global Entry
Posts: 10,136
As an Asian American man in his 30s, I havent noticed different treatment by FAs because of my race (though Im also not looking out for it).
Another time, while flying SNA-SFO on UX in F, the FA serving our cabin didnt believe I was over 21 and refused to serve me wine. I was 28 at the time, had left my ID in my backpack, and wasnt going to get out of my seat just to prove to her my age. I know theyre required to ask for your ID when you look under the age of 35, but that experience did leave a bad taste in my mouth (I was on my way to Paris and wanted to treat myself!). She might not have asked a 28 year old white guy for his ID, but this is definitely an instance where the Asian dont raisin euphemism can definitely work against you! After that incident, my ID is always handy, though Im only ever carded on the west coast.
....
Another time, while flying SNA-SFO on UX in F, the FA serving our cabin didnt believe I was over 21 and refused to serve me wine. I was 28 at the time, had left my ID in my backpack, and wasnt going to get out of my seat just to prove to her my age. I know theyre required to ask for your ID when you look under the age of 35, but that experience did leave a bad taste in my mouth (I was on my way to Paris and wanted to treat myself!). She might not have asked a 28 year old white guy for his ID, but this is definitely an instance where the Asian dont raisin euphemism can definitely work against you! After that incident, my ID is always handy, though Im only ever carded on the west coast.
....
#27
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,326
From my read of the OP: I would guess if there is a there there, it's not that the FA's are in general actively hostile to people of Asian appearance — rather that, for some reason, the FA's have some level of discomfort for quick interaction with such people. And for some reason it happens more commonly with UA.
Maybe UA's large TPAC network and *A agreements mean they see more non-American / non-English-language Asians and have more numerous awkward interactions with them, so they default to silence out of uncertainty. Maybe attendant training doesn't emphasise greeting each passenger, and they don't as regularly stay 'on' during boarding/alighting as DL attendants do. Those are speculation on my part.
Or maybe OP is mistaken in his perception. But honestly it seems like a convincing accounting to me. It's just that after noting the observed experiences, it's hard to figure out where to go next. (Maybe the other airline.)
aside: the changed text colour palate is really messing with my quote technique.
Maybe UA's large TPAC network and *A agreements mean they see more non-American / non-English-language Asians and have more numerous awkward interactions with them, so they default to silence out of uncertainty. Maybe attendant training doesn't emphasise greeting each passenger, and they don't as regularly stay 'on' during boarding/alighting as DL attendants do. Those are speculation on my part.
Or maybe OP is mistaken in his perception. But honestly it seems like a convincing accounting to me. It's just that after noting the observed experiences, it's hard to figure out where to go next. (Maybe the other airline.)
aside: the changed text colour palate is really messing with my quote technique.
#28
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: SNA
Programs: Bonvoy LTTE/AMB, AmEx Plat, National EE, WN A-List, CLEAR+, Covid-19
Posts: 4,956
#30
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: GEG/DEN/ATL
Programs: UA 1K, TK E+, AS MVPG, SPG&Marriott Plat, HHD, Hertz PC
Posts: 404