I agree with these thoughts, it's terrible someone could act that way, the only reassuring thing is that what goes round, comes round. hopefully he ended up in Economy when he did leave JFK

Sorry to hear what had happened to OP and his parents. I have strong views on the specific remarks made by the angry upgrade seeker, but this is not the right place for expressing these views.

I have always share the views that airline loyalty program creates the "sense of importance" in an individual that hotel and car rental loyalty programs don't seem to create. This sense of importance unfortunately brings out the worst of people.

I'd be interested to learn what happened at IAD.

You're correct, that is probably what the gentleman was suffering from, and he took it out on the gate agent, OP and all those around him.

I'm surprised we haven't seen a thread here posted by the gentleman in question stating how UA had abused him by not giving him the upgrade he was entitled to.....

Really sorry to hear this.

Hope you and your parents had a great time in NYC and a nice flight back home after the fact.

You could have let him take your father's BP, take his seat, and then board the plane only to find somebody sitting in the wrong seat. Call the FA and have him removed.

I would have called the airport police in a heartbeat.

<inappropriate comment removed by moderator per FT rules> It's a shame to see this ignorance still present. :mad:

What a jerk. Sorry for what happened to you. It's a serious situation, and probably a little unnerving for your parents. I know from traveling with my parents who are in their 80's, and my father who grows more nervous about everything with each passing year. Someone grabbing his BP would have really shaken him.

I see guys - haven't seen a woman do this - they let the whole world know they're 1K as though they're the only one around. You know the type...pushes to the front to board first, as though there are no other 1Ks boarding (and it's fun when a GS member trumps them!!) ....shout out their status for upgrades, seat changes, etc.....not realizing that there are a dozen other 1Ks rolling their eyes or laughing at him.

Elite status doesn't guarantee good breeding or manners.

I know for sure this guy is not an FTer, we know better than that, anything we do wrong will end up here :)

Great post to OP and thanks for sharing your story with us, sorry your parent have to see this.

I'm sorry to hear that the OP and his parents had to endure such horrible treatment from another passenger. It's always those very few bad eggs that tarnish experiences for the rest of the decent world.

I'm very happy to hear that our ground staff handled the situation professionally and expediently. Unfortunately, I've seen more than my fair share of self-important jerks (and that is just as a passenger!) over the years, so this puts into light what CSRs sometimes have to deal with on a day to day basis.

Kudos to the CSR involved! ^

That you have this much control over your temper is a very admirable quality.

Instead of punching him, you should have "detained" him. Given the average guy who has this attitude, I'm sure you could have taken him down and had his arms behind his back without punching him. Then, you sit on him and tell the GA he assaulted your father and to call the police :)

There is only one word that describes this guy: SCHMUCK!:mad:

What a jerk!

Does anyone know if United has ever revoked someones status because of behavior like this? Sounds like he would have deserved it.

pvtwong,

This is a truly shocking and horrible event, which you clearly handled with grace and restraint. I am very glad to hear that United also handled this so well.

Thanks for your post.

Muckus

There is still hope that the weirdo is not a 1K but simply suffers from the self importance of feeling like one. I had pax bragging to me about their 1K status and then their BP only identified them as 2P or GM.
A 'real' 1K should and must have known that such comportment is likely to get him off the plane.
If he really is one, I wonder how he survived the flying game so far :rolleyes: .