An Interesting Exchange in Polaris
Apr 27, 2021, 10:27 am
#46
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: New Jersey
Programs: UA MM 1K, AA MM Gold, Marriott LT Platinum
Posts: 3,236
Can you imagine if this guy had been first on the upgrade list and UA (deservedly) gave the seat to the wounded soldier?
Apr 27, 2021, 10:40 am
#47
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: CT/NY
Programs: UA 1K/1MM, AA EXP, Marriott LT Titanium, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Plat Amb
Posts: 6,020
For this jerk, I would have told the guy that the flight attendant will give *all* MileagePlus members a "special welcome" later in the announcement - just wait for it.
Apr 27, 2021, 10:42 am
#48
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: USA
Programs: UA Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,195
A quick story from the flight deck...
The other day I was kicking off a trip, and we had a combat wounded veteran flying in the Polaris cabin. The GA who is a friend of mine made me aware of his presence. Boarding was underway, but I had a few minutes and wanted to introduce myself one veteran to another, and thank him for his service. I did so, and we had a pleasant exchange. As I turned to head back to the flight deck, a passenger 2 row's ahead, who had clearly heard our conversation says rather loudly, "Hey Captain, why are you thanking him? I'm a United 1K, and spend 45K a year flying your airline, where is my thanks?" To be honest, his comment stopped me in my tracks, and for a second I didn't know what to say. I smiled at him, said thank you, and that while I appreciated his business, I also appreciated the sacrifice a solider made in defense of our country. His reply?? "Who cares guys like me pay your salary." I looked him square in the eye, and told him to fly another airline next time.
I'm still bothered by the whole thing, 2 days later....
The other day I was kicking off a trip, and we had a combat wounded veteran flying in the Polaris cabin. The GA who is a friend of mine made me aware of his presence. Boarding was underway, but I had a few minutes and wanted to introduce myself one veteran to another, and thank him for his service. I did so, and we had a pleasant exchange. As I turned to head back to the flight deck, a passenger 2 row's ahead, who had clearly heard our conversation says rather loudly, "Hey Captain, why are you thanking him? I'm a United 1K, and spend 45K a year flying your airline, where is my thanks?" To be honest, his comment stopped me in my tracks, and for a second I didn't know what to say. I smiled at him, said thank you, and that while I appreciated his business, I also appreciated the sacrifice a solider made in defense of our country. His reply?? "Who cares guys like me pay your salary." I looked him square in the eye, and told him to fly another airline next time.
I'm still bothered by the whole thing, 2 days later....
Apr 27, 2021, 10:43 am
#49
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: IAH & CMH
Programs: UA GS, UA MM, Marriott Ambassador, Hilton Diamond, Uber Platinum :)
Posts: 773
I won't even read the Please Recognize 1Ks thread, as I'm afraid some of the posts will anger me. I've seen all manner of ridiculous behavior over the years, and if I had to guess, a decent percentage of that behavior has come from 1K members, experienced directly, or from feedback by a GA or FA. Curiously enough, I don't ever recall a Global Services customer give anyone a hard time, but other crew may disagree with me on that one.
Interpret how you want that they (Mgmt) have to make that request in the first place…
Apr 27, 2021, 10:46 am
#50
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: ORD
Programs: United Plat 2MM, Hilton Gold
Posts: 2,727
The 1K member was in the wrong, and your actions were completely justified.
It is wrong of your to judge a category of your customers based on a guess. If you find 1Ks intolerable, perhaps you should fly for another airline.
It is wrong of your to judge a category of your customers based on a guess. If you find 1Ks intolerable, perhaps you should fly for another airline.
Apr 27, 2021, 10:50 am
#51
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: USA
Programs: UA Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,195
I kind of hope he is on FT and can see the response to his insensitive and utterly stupid remark. $45K on airfare? Great -- more than I typically spend but far below what a lot of people on this board do. OTOH, with a remark like that, he's certainly got everyone else on this forum beat on the DYKWIA meter.
Apr 27, 2021, 11:01 am
#52
Suspended
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Chicago
Programs: ,united 1k, AA EXP, HH Diamond,BA gold, Hyatt globalist
Posts: 974
A quick story from the flight deck...
The other day I was kicking off a trip, and we had a combat wounded veteran flying in the Polaris cabin. The GA who is a friend of mine made me aware of his presence. Boarding was underway, but I had a few minutes and wanted to introduce myself one veteran to another, and thank him for his service. I did so, and we had a pleasant exchange. As I turned to head back to the flight deck, a passenger 2 row's ahead, who had clearly heard our conversation says rather loudly, "Hey Captain, why are you thanking him? I'm a United 1K, and spend 45K a year flying your airline, where is my thanks?" To be honest, his comment stopped me in my tracks, and for a second I didn't know what to say. I smiled at him, said thank you, and that while I appreciated his business, I also appreciated the sacrifice a solider made in defense of our country. His reply?? "Who cares guys like me pay your salary." I looked him square in the eye, and told him to fly another airline next time.
I'm still bothered by the whole thing, 2 days later....
The other day I was kicking off a trip, and we had a combat wounded veteran flying in the Polaris cabin. The GA who is a friend of mine made me aware of his presence. Boarding was underway, but I had a few minutes and wanted to introduce myself one veteran to another, and thank him for his service. I did so, and we had a pleasant exchange. As I turned to head back to the flight deck, a passenger 2 row's ahead, who had clearly heard our conversation says rather loudly, "Hey Captain, why are you thanking him? I'm a United 1K, and spend 45K a year flying your airline, where is my thanks?" To be honest, his comment stopped me in my tracks, and for a second I didn't know what to say. I smiled at him, said thank you, and that while I appreciated his business, I also appreciated the sacrifice a solider made in defense of our country. His reply?? "Who cares guys like me pay your salary." I looked him square in the eye, and told him to fly another airline next time.
I'm still bothered by the whole thing, 2 days later....
Apr 27, 2021, 11:20 am
#53
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: YYZ
Programs: Hilton Gold Mariott Gold Aeroplan E25K SAS Gold NEXUS
Posts: 1,308
Sigh. We are all doomed. Thanks 757FO for the restraint and also for resetting the obnoxious pax's perspective; both were totally appropriate for what little my opinion is worth. Sorry it's bothering you - hopefully the next few days will be more good experiences to smother that one. Sheesh.
Apr 27, 2021, 11:33 am
#54
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 813
<this story gave me a great idea. All of the perspective on FlyerTalk is from the frequent flyer. I think it would be a great idea to create a thread for united employees to share their experiences with passengers. Who know maybe we could get some legendary stories. What do y'all think?>
Facebook killed AirlineCrew.net. At CAL we had a very active forum, mostly union battling but a fair amount of war stories also.I prefer the annonyminty(sp) of these types of forums, just like many keyboard commandos on this site like to talk a big game here on FT. There are some posters here that hate everything United & the employees 24/7, not sure why they patronize the airline if its so <fill in the blank>
A few years ago a poster here added a link to ac.net & was aghast to see some of the comments. It was like eavesdropping backstage hehehe. UA’s strict social media policy for employees also hinders discussions more than ever. Once in a while i’ll ask a GS or 1K if they read or saw something on FT, many roll their eyes.
Facebook killed AirlineCrew.net. At CAL we had a very active forum, mostly union battling but a fair amount of war stories also.I prefer the annonyminty(sp) of these types of forums, just like many keyboard commandos on this site like to talk a big game here on FT. There are some posters here that hate everything United & the employees 24/7, not sure why they patronize the airline if its so <fill in the blank>
A few years ago a poster here added a link to ac.net & was aghast to see some of the comments. It was like eavesdropping backstage hehehe. UA’s strict social media policy for employees also hinders discussions more than ever. Once in a while i’ll ask a GS or 1K if they read or saw something on FT, many roll their eyes.
Last edited by featheroleather; Apr 27, 2021 at 1:10 pm
Apr 27, 2021, 11:37 am
#55
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2017
Programs: Does Non Rev count?
Posts: 588
There is always one in the group. That WAS NOT what I said.
Apr 27, 2021, 11:39 am
#56
Join Date: Nov 2020
Location: SFO
Programs: AA sPLAT, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 198
Thank you sir for your service, recognizing another veteran and being a gentleman. I would fly on your plane anytime!
MAC
USN 1981-1987
MAC
USN 1981-1987
Apr 27, 2021, 11:49 am
#57
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: PEK
Programs: A3*G, UA Gold EY Silver
Posts: 8,958
The 1K's ego obviously doesn't get enough attention in life, so he's actively looking for more attention. Giving him zero attention would probably be the best solution in this case.
Apr 27, 2021, 12:07 pm
#58
Suspended
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Chicago
Programs: ,united 1k, AA EXP, HH Diamond,BA gold, Hyatt globalist
Posts: 974
<this story gave me a great idea. All of the perspective on FlyerTalk is from the frequent flyer. I think it would be a great idea to create a thread for united employees to share their experiences with passengers. Who know maybe we could get some legendary stories. What do y'all think?>
Facebook killed AirlineCrew.net. At CAL we had a very active forum, mostly union battling but a fair amount of war stories also.I prefer the annonyminty(sp) of these types of forums, just like many keyboard commandos on this site like to talk a big game here on FT. There are some posters here that hate everything United & the employees 24/7, not sure why they patronize the airline if its so <fill in the blank>
A few years ago a poster here added a link to ac.net & was aghast to see some of the comments. It was like eavesdropping backstage hehehe. UA’s strict social media policy for employees also hinders discussions more than ever. Once in a while i’ll ask a GS or 1K if they read or saw something on FT, many roll their eyes.
Facebook killed AirlineCrew.net. At CAL we had a very active forum, mostly union battling but a fair amount of war stories also.I prefer the annonyminty(sp) of these types of forums, just like many keyboard commandos on this site like to talk a big game here on FT. There are some posters here that hate everything United & the employees 24/7, not sure why they patronize the airline if its so <fill in the blank>
A few years ago a poster here added a link to ac.net & was aghast to see some of the comments. It was like eavesdropping backstage hehehe. UA’s strict social media policy for employees also hinders discussions more than ever. Once in a while i’ll ask a GS or 1K if they read or saw something on FT, many roll their eyes.
Apr 27, 2021, 12:10 pm
#59
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2017
Programs: Does Non Rev count?
Posts: 588
Apr 27, 2021, 12:11 pm
#60
Suspended
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Chicago
Programs: ,united 1k, AA EXP, HH Diamond,BA gold, Hyatt globalist
Posts: 974
