Infrequent Travelers (VBIT) taking over flights
Jun 25, 2007, 8:01 am
#31
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Denver, CO
Programs: UA GS/1k, AA Plat, BA Silver, HH Diamond, SPG Gold, Hertz 5-Star, DC Carte Blanche
Posts: 233
I keep trying to convince myself it's fun to fly TED...
It isn't working for me??
Jun 25, 2007, 8:16 am
#32
Join Date: Jun 2004
Programs: united airlines
Posts: 4,967
...Take the woman on my UAX flight from IAD-ABE last week. Dressed stylishly in a bare midriff top that revealed a "chain" tattoo circumferencing her (at least 36") midsection.
...
Seated in the exit row, she slept from the time we went wheels up until we arrived at the gate at ABE, and snored loudly the whole time.
...
Seated in the exit row, she slept from the time we went wheels up until we arrived at the gate at ABE, and snored loudly the whole time.
Jun 25, 2007, 8:18 am
#33
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: MSP/ STP
Programs: UA 1K, *G
Posts: 340
Jun 25, 2007, 9:17 am
#35
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: In the gate area on a flight delay
Programs: UA Million Miler, Hyatt Platinum, Starwood Gold, Marriott Silver, Motel 6 Tin
Posts: 1,093
Jun 25, 2007, 10:57 am
#36
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: SFO/OAK
Programs: *Alliance
Posts: 289
Thank you! very funny.....
Jun 25, 2007, 11:50 am
#38
Formerly known as CollegeFlyer
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: JRA
Programs: UA 1K MM, AA PLT, Hyatt Diamond, Marriott Gold, Hertz 5*
Posts: 6,716
OTOH, I have rarely seen an infrequent traveler do #2. Usually I seem to see them with huge rollaboards that they put into the bins sideways rather than wheels first.
Jun 25, 2007, 12:35 pm
#39
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: FRA
Programs: LH FTL, BA Blue, UA Corpse
Posts: 1,423
All this talk about VBITs makes me wonder if we forgot about the Self Important Frequent Flyers, or SIFFs for short...
You can spot these people with a few tell-tell signs:
* Usually sitting in front feeling they are better than the people in the back
* Getting mad and angry when warm nuts are not served to them
* Pacing at the gate, full of anxiety about their chances for an upgrade
* Knows every airport code in the world and never afraid to let others know that fact
* Has an opionion on every decision every airline company makes
* Can tell you the inside configuration of every commercial passenger plane but looks at you perplexed if you ask them the smae question about a gym
* Can remember multiple frequent flyer numbers, car rental codes and hotel rewards numbers but has trouble with anniversary dates and children's birthdates.
* Judges the performance of each flight attendent on board
* Thinks about the next big postiong on flyertalk.com, days in advance
* Will fume about the fact they have to fly on Ted
* Will spend more time complaining about the fact that a person who paid for an E- ticket is sitting in E+ than complaining about any number of social ills.
I could go on...but I feel content.
You can spot these people with a few tell-tell signs:
* Usually sitting in front feeling they are better than the people in the back
* Getting mad and angry when warm nuts are not served to them
* Pacing at the gate, full of anxiety about their chances for an upgrade
* Knows every airport code in the world and never afraid to let others know that fact
* Has an opionion on every decision every airline company makes
* Can tell you the inside configuration of every commercial passenger plane but looks at you perplexed if you ask them the smae question about a gym
* Can remember multiple frequent flyer numbers, car rental codes and hotel rewards numbers but has trouble with anniversary dates and children's birthdates.
* Judges the performance of each flight attendent on board
* Thinks about the next big postiong on flyertalk.com, days in advance
* Will fume about the fact they have to fly on Ted
* Will spend more time complaining about the fact that a person who paid for an E- ticket is sitting in E+ than complaining about any number of social ills.
I could go on...but I feel content.
...Let's add some more typical symptoms:
1. major vegetative symptoms:
* sweat and tremor when waiting in the non-red carpet line (the probability increases from GM>3P>2P>1P
* sweat and tremor when holding a F bp
* sweat and tremor when not holding a F bp
(differential diagnosis between the two conditions: dry mouth w/o F bp, salivation
w/ F bp)
2. psycho symptoms
* OC-daily check of mileage account
* RJ-phobia
* switcheroo grumble (AKA the 320/19 or 12/12 grumble)
* MSNB (mid seat not blocked) grumble
Jun 25, 2007, 2:22 pm
#40
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: 10,044
Jun 25, 2007, 2:41 pm
#41
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Portland, Oregon
Programs: AA EXP UA 2KMM AMB
Posts: 2,401
Jun 25, 2007, 2:56 pm
#42
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Portland, Oregon
Programs: AA EXP UA 2KMM AMB
Posts: 2,401
I am always reminded of a pretty heavy set gentleman I sat with SIN-NRT who was exploring his C seat, pulled on that manual recline button and slammed his back like a log in hysterical bewilderment.
In addition, this sub-specie has a high propensity for mimicry. It's like a shadow that copies your every movement; raising the foot rest, pulling out the monitor, plugging in the head phones, sometimes even your drink order too!
In addition, this sub-specie has a high propensity for mimicry. It's like a shadow that copies your every movement; raising the foot rest, pulling out the monitor, plugging in the head phones, sometimes even your drink order too!
Jun 25, 2007, 3:11 pm
#43
Join Date: Mar 2007
Programs: NW Gold, AA Gold, HI Platinum; every other airline and hotel chain
Posts: 81
I used to have to fly into Vegas a lot for work (pity me), that airport has the most VBIT's I've ever seen. Add to that the fact that I could get there cheapest and fastest on SW from SNA. The longest 1:05 of my life. I guess it's Karma for staying on the strip on the companies dime.
The funniest I saw was 20 years ago when I was a NBIT (Navy Bound Infrequent Traveler), one of the guys I was flying to boot camp with came back from the rest room all excited about the auto flushing toilet and most of the group (not me, I'd already seen it) went running in to play with them. It was a seen straight out of Bevis and Butthead.
The funniest I saw was 20 years ago when I was a NBIT (Navy Bound Infrequent Traveler), one of the guys I was flying to boot camp with came back from the rest room all excited about the auto flushing toilet and most of the group (not me, I'd already seen it) went running in to play with them. It was a seen straight out of Bevis and Butthead.
Jun 25, 2007, 3:28 pm
#44
Join Date: Apr 2005
Programs: UA 1K, MM
Posts: 389
[QUOTE=HonestABE;7953136]I agree with you. However, in fairness to some GAs in some situations, they may be under pressure to get the flight boarded for an "on-time" departure. Policing "naughty" pax trying to board "before their turn" can be time consuming, and may create a logjam at the BP reader as the GA asks them to "step aside" - further slowing the boarding process. It could be slowed down even further if the "naughty" pax elevate the situation into a confrontation.
QUOTE]
The problem with letting it go is that, very very quickly, passengers -- particularly VBITs, who don't know any better -- come to expect that they'll be able to start boarding right away. Then the GA faces delays if they enforce the rule. The GA doesn't benefit from enforcing boarding priorities, frequent flyers (and UA, who want the business of FFs) benefit. So I think we do have to 'remind' GAs, nicely and politely, when they allow random boarding.
QUOTE]
The problem with letting it go is that, very very quickly, passengers -- particularly VBITs, who don't know any better -- come to expect that they'll be able to start boarding right away. Then the GA faces delays if they enforce the rule. The GA doesn't benefit from enforcing boarding priorities, frequent flyers (and UA, who want the business of FFs) benefit. So I think we do have to 'remind' GAs, nicely and politely, when they allow random boarding.
Jun 25, 2007, 9:41 pm
#45
Join Date: Nov 2005
Programs: UAL 1K MM, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 871
I agree with you. However, in fairness to some GAs in some situations, they may be under pressure to get the flight boarded for an "on-time" departure. Policing "naughty" pax trying to board "before their turn" can be time consuming, and may create a logjam at the BP reader as the GA asks them to "step aside" - further slowing the boarding process. It could be slowed down even further if the "naughty" pax elevate the situation into a confrontation...