Preferred lane etiquette
#61
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Global
Posts: 5,998
The issue here - treat all customers with respect. It is easy to ask if someone is first class, business class, elite or coach and direct them - with respect - to the right line.
Respect should be expected - and provided by airlines. We are not just fliers, we are customers. All of us.
Respect should be expected - and provided by airlines. We are not just fliers, we are customers. All of us.
#62
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Philadephia, PA
Programs: AA Platinum, Marriott Titanium/Lifetime Titanium, Hyatt Globalist, UA Silver, Hilton Gold, Hertz 5*
Posts: 477
The issue here - treat all customers with respect. It is easy to ask if someone is first class, business class, elite or coach and direct them - with respect - to the right line.
Respect should be expected - and provided by airlines. We are not just fliers, we are customers. All of us.
Respect should be expected - and provided by airlines. We are not just fliers, we are customers. All of us.
More flies with honey than vinegar and all that.
#63
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: EWR
Programs: US CP, SPG Plat, Hyatt Diamond, Marriott Plat
Posts: 161
The passenger was a young mother with a child in a stroller, and not dressed for either a business trip or to get through security quickly.
I did not say anything to the passenger- I figured that she may well have just as much right to be in the Preferred line as I did.
I did not say anything to the passenger- I figured that she may well have just as much right to be in the Preferred line as I did.
Most of my flights each year are on business, and I look the part. The other 2 or 3 when I have part or all of my family with me, I definitely do not - but it doesn't change anything.
#64
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Global
Posts: 5,998
Don't disagree with this. But you could have gotten what you wanted by simply saying "I'm in first, not coach, but either way, is that an appropriate tone?" to the rep. But instead you don't give them a chance to correct their mistake, you verbally berate them and their supervisor, and send off an angry letter, all of which are more the actions of a DYKWIA, especially since their actions didn't actually harm you.
More flies with honey than vinegar and all that.
More flies with honey than vinegar and all that.
I could have easily just ignored the snotty agent - and I do most of the time. But, if you fly a lot, you see how bad some agents (not all, but some) treat passengers/customers that are not elite. Treat all customers with respect.
Not an angry letter at all. Just recounted the facts. If the airline felt there was no problem, then they would ignore the letter. Up to them. Of course they sent a letter back apologizing for the behavior of the agent and assuring me that is not appropriate. (And a 100 voucher - but that was not the point of the letter.) Did it get back to the agent? I would have no idea. But, perhaps if more people would speak up - respectfully, agents would treat customers with more respect.
The squeaky wheel and all that.
#65
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA Plat MM, AA Gold, Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Gold, IHG Plat, Marriott Titanium Elite
Posts: 5,015
+1
I was in CLT last week and everyone was patiently waiting to board when some guy walks into the priority lane and queues up - at first it struck me as kind of douchey but as I thought about it I really couldn't come up with a reason that someone in first shouldn't go ahead and enter the lane. Whaddayathink...
I was in CLT last week and everyone was patiently waiting to board when some guy walks into the priority lane and queues up - at first it struck me as kind of douchey but as I thought about it I really couldn't come up with a reason that someone in first shouldn't go ahead and enter the lane. Whaddayathink...
#66
In memoriam
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: IAD, BOS, PVD
Programs: UA, US, AS, Marriott, Radisson, Hilton
Posts: 7,203
#67
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 9
I agree. It's ridiculous to hang back from the priority lane if you're in F. I usually get in line about 5 - 10 minutes before boarding starts when I'm in F and half a dozen lemmings immediately follow. Going back in time when TSA had mandatory random bag checks at the gate, everyone held back from being the first to line up to avoid a bag check. I think that legacy is why some people still don't want to be the first in line.
#68
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: PHL
Programs: AA EXP, Marriott Lifetime Plat, SPG Plat, AMEX Plat, Hertz PC, Travels too Much Platinum
Posts: 3,290
Gate checks, while they do provide a backup control against the failure of the main checkpoint to detect something bad, are an admission of failure at the main checkpoint if they have to be used regularly.
#69
Join Date: Sep 2011
Programs: US Chairman, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 90
Preferred Lane Etiquette
Actually, once the prior flight has de-planed, I just go ahead and get in the line. To me, it is just a clear place to stand and I am eligible to use it, anyway.
#70
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: PHL
Programs: US CP/AA EXP, HHonors Diamond, Marriott PLT, National Exec Elite, Avis 1st
Posts: 490
I do that as well. However, on several occasions, especially in PHX, I have had the GAs tell me to move out of the line, and not approach until boarding starts. So, then I move out the line, and more people start the line, and I end up at the end of the line.