Emirates taking liberties with medical assistance?

[rechoboam]

This is kind of a weird development but I had heard that Emirates had started routinely greeting pax with “Dr” in front of their name by saying (basically) “welcome to the flight, we will contact you for any medical problems during the flight”. I thought people were being precious and then it happened to me too with “It’s great to have you on board, we appreciate being able to have you help for any emergencies”. This has never happened to me or anyone else I know on any other airline.

Am I being over-sensitive here to feel somewhat aggrieved that I’m paying a full J fare and the first thing I’m told is that I’m now on-call, unpaid without even being asked nicely?

 

[drron]

Definitely not being oversensitive.That really is not on.
If it happened to me I would really be tempted to answer along the lines of-sorry I am a PHD and my thesis was on the mating habits of butterflies.
In the past I have always responded to the calls.But having it assumed on boarding-totally unprofessional.

 

[k_sheep]

I've had this asked of me before on Qantas - more "are you a medical doctor" - on boarding and with the old WP greeting.

I've helped out multiple times before, always happy to do so, but I would be rather annoyed if it was 'expected' that I would be willing to help in any situation (asleep, drunk, sick myself etc). So no, I don't think you're being precious.

Mind you qantas refuses to change my title from Miss to Dr for lord knows why on my QFF profile, so now Dr only goes on when work books my flight!

 

[Pushka]

So is there any benefit in using the title when making the booking? If not I’d book under Mr/Ms.

 

[rechoboam]

I've had this asked of me before on Qantas - more "are you a medical doctor" - on boarding and with the old WP greeting.

I've helped out multiple times before, always happy to do so, but I would be rather annoyed if it was 'expected' that I would be willing to help in any situation (asleep, drunk, sick myself etc). So no, I don't think you're being precious.

Mind you qantas refuses to change my title from Miss to Dr for lord knows why on my QFF profile, so now Dr only goes on when work books my flight!

If we are talking about EK or anything to do with the Gulf States I’d be very, very happy to stay a “Mr” which is what I will do in future. I’ve heard stories of pax being told they might be asked to remain with staff (?detained) after bad outcomes and some bad stuff happens in Dubai itself to doctors.

*not saying I would never help but I’d want to have the option of assessing the scenario first

Regarding “drunk” - you don’t want to give anyone the impression you are intoxicated on arrival either because that is a problem too.

 

[kpc]

SQ also use to do something similar....easily fixed by changing my salutation to Mr on ALL my bookings...even made the work TA change it to Mr. Never an issue now

 

[DC3]

So, is there an advantage in inserting DR into a booking? Or, could this just be to let the crew know that you could possibly be of some assistance during the flight.

Someone could be a Doctor of Divinity for all they know.

 

[kpc]

So, is there an advantage in inserting DR into a booking?

No if you are thinking op ups!!

 

[moa999]

Granted the phrasing could be improved but might just be the CSM trying to understand the skills they have on board.
Better understand it upfront than in the middle of the night trying to wake up every Dr only to find they aren't medicos

 

[Stealthflyer]

So, is there an advantage in inserting DR into a booking? Or, could this just be to let the crew know that you could possibly be of some assistance during the flight.

Someone could be a Doctor of Divinity for all they know.

I use Dr because there’s often no option for Ms when booking tickets - only Miss or Mrs. I’d much rather a non-gendered title. If they expect me to use my Doctor of Philosophy to revive someone though, they’re going to get a rude shock.

I’ve never had any staff member ask for assistance or ask if I’d be willing to assist in an emergency.

 

[opusman]

Unless you've actually got a doctorate you shouldn't be using the title anyway

 

[blackcat20]

I've had Cathay crew come and check what kind of doctor I am, which is fair. Means they don't waste time if something happens.

 

[kelvedon]

UK surgeons don’t get disturbed.

 

[ontheaisle]

Mind you qantas refuses to change my title from Miss to Dr for lord knows why on my QFF profile, so now Dr only goes on when work books my flight!

That's pretty outrageous. It's not like you're asking to change from Miss to Mr

 

[ontheaisle]

Unless you've actually got a doctorate you shouldn't be using the title anyway

I know a Juris Doctor who uses Dr

 

[Mattg]

On a recent Lufthansa flight, they made a PA asking any medical doctors on board to make themselves known to the crew if they were willing to assist in case there was a medical emergency during the flight. I think that's a fairly reasonable approach.

 

[suze2000]

IANAD, but I dislike the implication that if you are, you are on call for the flight. What if you wanted to get smashed on the Dom?

(mind you, I'd imagine most on-board emergencies don't require a steady hand, and I'd rather a drunk medico - because let's face it, your brain doesn't suddenly lose all that knowledge just because you've had a few - than none at all to help me if I was the emergency, but I'm not sure I'd want to be the drunk doctor if something went wrong.)

 

[Denali]

.....f-sorry I am a PHD and my thesis was on the mating habits of butterflies....

My friends PHD is in Seahorses.

 

[rechoboam]

On a recent Lufthansa flight, they made a PA asking any medical doctors on board to make themselves known to the crew if they were willing to assist in case there was a medical emergency during the flight. I think that's a fairly reasonable approach.

I think it’s completely unreasonable for a multi billion $ corporation to charge someone $15,000 for a flight and then inform they they are unpaid on call for the next 15 hours in an unfamiliar environment. Then next time I’m asked in advance (as opposed to helping in an emergency) I will literally ask them to confirm an on call payment at my usual rate and frankly I’m tempted to send an invoice and enforce it in VCAT anyway.

Since making this post I’ve become really annoyed - a close colleague just assisted FOUR times on the way back from Japan and was called on again the next flight. They can’t think it is reasonable to charge passengers this much and expect them to work almost literally 12 hours straight because they don’t want to provide medical staff. Face it, 500 pax for 16 hours nonstop and it’s time for medical assistance to be provided.

 

[Mattg]

I think it’s completely unreasonable for a multi billion $ corporation to charge someone $15,000 for a flight and then inform they they are unpaid on call for the next 15 hours in an unfamiliar environment. Then next time I’m asked in advance (as opposed to helping in an emergency) I will literally ask them to confirm an on call payment at my usual rate and frankly I’m tempted to send an invoice and enforce it in VCAT anyway.

Since making this post I’ve become really annoyed - a close colleague just assisted FOUR times on the way back from Japan and was called on again the next flight. They can’t think it is reasonable to charge passengers this much and expect them to work almost literally 12 hours straight because they don’t want to provide medical staff. Face it, 500 pax for 16 hours nonstop and it’s time for medical assistance to be provided.

In the case of Lufthansa, they were asking for volunteers. How is that unreasonable?

In fact, Lufthansa even has a program where frequent flyers who are doctors can enrol into, and the doctors also receive various benefits (and optional training) in return - https://www.lufthansa.com/de/en/doctor-on-board