United Addressing passengers by their first name?
May 16, 2003, 7:48 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 44
United Addressing passengers by their first name?
This may seem like an odd question, but has United revised any policies for how their employees should address their customers. For decades they have always called me Mr. ......
A couple weeks ago, someone at the 1K desk addressed me by my first name. It seemed really strange.
Yesterday, I flew three United flights in First Class. The first two flights, I received the normal professional greetings of Mr. ...... On the 3rd flight, the flight attendant called me by my first name the entire flight. Maybe I'm just not use to it, but it kind of bothered me. Maybe she thought I was a United employee, rather than a 1K Million Mile customer.
Has anyone else experienced this? Maybe it's my age, but I kind of like the formal treatment.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
By the way, earlier this week I was really impressed by a flight attendant on a 757. She memorized the names of all 24 first class passengers. The entire flight each encounter with a passenger she addressed them by name. Of course she used the formal Mr. Mrs. Ms. greetings.
A couple weeks ago, someone at the 1K desk addressed me by my first name. It seemed really strange.
Yesterday, I flew three United flights in First Class. The first two flights, I received the normal professional greetings of Mr. ...... On the 3rd flight, the flight attendant called me by my first name the entire flight. Maybe I'm just not use to it, but it kind of bothered me. Maybe she thought I was a United employee, rather than a 1K Million Mile customer.
Has anyone else experienced this? Maybe it's my age, but I kind of like the formal treatment.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
By the way, earlier this week I was really impressed by a flight attendant on a 757. She memorized the names of all 24 first class passengers. The entire flight each encounter with a passenger she addressed them by name. Of course she used the formal Mr. Mrs. Ms. greetings.
May 16, 2003, 8:00 am
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: DCA
Programs: AMC MovieWatcher, Giant BonusCard, Petco PALS Card, Silver Diner Blue Plate Club
Posts: 22,297
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by UAMillion:
Maybe she thought I was a United employee, rather than a 1K Million Mile customer.</font>
Maybe she thought I was a United employee, rather than a 1K Million Mile customer.</font>
<duck>
[This message has been edited by gleff (edited 05-16-2003).]
May 16, 2003, 8:03 am
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 20,404
I was called "Mr. XXXXX" on LAX-ORD two days ago. It wouldn't bother me to be called by my first name--in fact, I'd prefer that instead. But protocol is the "Mr. So-and-so."
Now, if UA starts addressing me by those other names I've been called..
Now, if UA starts addressing me by those other names I've been called..
May 16, 2003, 8:08 am
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 44
The flight was just a 737 domestic flight. She also asked me if I wanted a glass for my beer, or just the can.
Maybe she use to work for Southwest.
Maybe she use to work for Southwest.
May 16, 2003, 8:20 am
#6
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: SNA
Programs: Sixt Platinum, Avis Preferred Plus, Hertz President's Circle, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 3,557
Well, that settles it!
(Sound of thunderous marching over to AA's counter)
(Sound of thunderous marching over to AA's counter)
May 16, 2003, 9:00 am
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Texas, U.S.A.
Posts: 19,523
In the post-takeoff announcements they always introduce themselves something like, "My name is Nancy and I'll be your Purser on todays flight. Joining me are Helen, Biff..." etc.
And since I always address them by their first names..."Excuse me Nancy, but would you happen to have any spare ammo in the ship's stores?"...I don't have a problem with them calling me by mine.
As long as they don't call me PremEx!
And since I always address them by their first names..."Excuse me Nancy, but would you happen to have any spare ammo in the ship's stores?"...I don't have a problem with them calling me by mine.
As long as they don't call me PremEx!
May 16, 2003, 9:15 am
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Seattle, WA, USA
Programs: Bar Alliance Gold
Posts: 16,271
Always been "Mr. <Lastname>" on UA, but I did notice on my SEA-YKM flight on Alaska a few weekends back the ticket agent said "Thanks, Chris" when she took my BP.
I thought it kind of odd, but she was young and AS always has First Class service no matter the class you fly, so I forgot it by the time I was on the tarmac walking to my plane.
I thought it kind of odd, but she was young and AS always has First Class service no matter the class you fly, so I forgot it by the time I was on the tarmac walking to my plane.
May 16, 2003, 9:40 am
#9
Original Member, Ambassador: External Miles and Points Resources
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Digital Nomad Wandering the Earth - Currently in LIMA, PERU
Posts: 58,611
I prefer it when the FAs call me 'darlin.' 
May 16, 2003, 10:13 am
#10
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Chicago, IL - UA 1K, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 151
I have noticed it a lot at ORD when the gate agent is reviewing my ticket before placing it in the ticket reader.
I really do not mind, although I can see where it can be considered inappropiate.
I really do not mind, although I can see where it can be considered inappropiate.
May 16, 2003, 10:16 am
#11
In Memoriam
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Grand Rapids, MI USA UA 1K, AA EXP 1MM, SQ PPS, BA GOLD, Hyatt D, Hertz Plat and AMEX Cent
Posts: 2,996
First off, this usually does not come up since I am most always address as "HUNK"
THat said, it is not the place of those serving to be familiar without invitation - it is unprofessional and reflects poorly on the culture of the airline.
THat said, it is not the place of those serving to be familiar without invitation - it is unprofessional and reflects poorly on the culture of the airline.
May 16, 2003, 10:36 am
#12
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: LAX and LHR. UA lifetime Gold 1.9MM 1K , DL Gold Medallion, HHonors Gold, Marriott Gold, Avis President's Club
Posts: 3,592
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by kokonutz:
I prefer it when the FAs call me 'darlin.'</font>
I prefer it when the FAs call me 'darlin.'
</font>
Alternatively, on a bad day, "If you wish to converse with me, you will kindly address me as 'Sir'."
May 16, 2003, 10:46 am
#13
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: SMF
Programs: UA 1K MM, AA EXP
Posts: 1,537
"Call me anything except late for breakfast"
Lurker
Lurker
May 16, 2003, 12:18 pm
#14
Used to be 'g_leyser'
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Brandon Johnson International Airport (expect delays)
Programs: AA PlatPro, HH Gold, Bonvoy Gold, IHG Plat, Reno Air MEGA Platinum
Posts: 10,037
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by PremEx:
As long as they don't call me PremEx!</font>
As long as they don't call me PremEx!
</font>
------------------
"I just wanna wish you good luck, we're all counting on you"
-Dr. Rumack
May 16, 2003, 1:29 pm
#15
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Munich, Germany
Programs: UA
Posts: 1,077
See, we germans dont have these kind of problems, you use Mr/Mrs and the impersonal form of "you" (Sie), and if you go a little more comfortable, its first name and the impersonal form.
If you were raised in a family where manners were still considered important, or in a professional enviroment (my mom had a store, my friends parents had all the time investment clients at home and so on), its a wonder you even dare to say "du" and first name to anyone! It is basically since the internet advanced that it gotten more relaxed in the general public.
So in all the years flying, basically since I looked older than 10, I gotten called Ms. on the flights from german airlines.
If you were raised in a family where manners were still considered important, or in a professional enviroment (my mom had a store, my friends parents had all the time investment clients at home and so on), its a wonder you even dare to say "du" and first name to anyone! It is basically since the internet advanced that it gotten more relaxed in the general public.
So in all the years flying, basically since I looked older than 10, I gotten called Ms. on the flights from german airlines.