Personal greetings from the cabin manager - what can you (realistically) ask for?

[Must...Fly!]

I did forget to mention the other time I made use of a personal welcome. I think I've told the story before on the forum, but VA HKG-MEL, as WP, check in kind enough to block off a middle row of four for me. Had a full day in Melbourne on return so some sleep was valued. Anyway some (other...) freeloader came and sat on the other end of the row of seats while we were taxiing. I would honestly never normally do this, but the woman had such an attitude that she put me off the moment she sat down, taking shoes off, spreading out, etc. OK fine, war it is. CSM came around for the welcome to say hello, is there anything you need etc. Well, since you asked.....a few moments later, I received the scowl of the century from this woman and as she removed herself and her belongings, hissed "enjoy your row to yourself" to me before slithering back to wherever she appeared from...

Funnily enough I had quite a decent sleep

 

[Must...Fly!]

That is one of the things that can make these greetings/requests a bit awkward. Often the people around you don't know what's going on and it can be a little embarrassing if you start getting glasses of wine etc. and nothing is offered to your seat neighbour.

Just reading the rest of the thread, I agree with this. For reasons entirely unrelated to status, a little while in to a recent SQ flight in Y from MEL I was welcomed by the purser with a couple of glasses of the good bubbly stuff (possibly the very good...A380 so it could have been from J or F). Maybe an hour or so later a member of the flight crew came down to say a quick hello and see how the flight was going.

It was nice, as an introvert by nature it made me a little self conscious but yes there were certainly some looks from others nearby and I'm sure some were wondering why they didn't get something...

 

[jb747]

Anyway some (other...) freeloader came and sat on the other end of the row of seats while we were taxiing.

I once took a 747 back to the gate at Heathrow to offload a person who did that twice during taxi. Rule one, never come to the Captain’s attention, especially whilst still on the ground.

 

[Warks]

On a completely different level I was stuck in an emergency waiting room yesterday while other family members were with the patient after I'd gone and parked the car after drop-off. A staff member went around the people in the waiting room assuming they were all waiting for care - she asked me if I needed pain relief (I should have said "Whaddaya got?") when I told her I was just waiting she offered to get me a cup of tea or coffee, which I politely refused as I thought her time would be better served with others. But I was surprised at the offer and this post reminded me of the WP greeting I used to get which always made me vaguely uncomfortable, being a Y flyer.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

I think that the inflight crew, either the CSM or the FA, can see from the BP presented to them, or the phone QR code, or the app, who a WP is, or a P1 is, as its on the BP.
But truthfully, if I don't get a greeting, I don't mind.
"Welcome on board Mr Pooch", insert my real name... as they see on the BP.
But can you imagine if they, and have to say it, to everyone who comes on board, the same greeting.
I can also see how frustrating it can be, on a long flight, say SYD/PER if they have to greet everyone esp if its an A330, rarer now, as a lot of the flights are now 737s, but still, hello mr so and so, welcome on board, hello mrs so and so, welcome on board, and to a kid, hi there, and how are you...
Being a CSM/FA is a thankless job, and I am not into making their job harder or tougher.
I am also scared of being taken away by the AFP, so if things go wrong, I keep quiet.
If I have a points+pay upgrade, or paid a rev fare to sit in J (so far, I am not been moved to Y), I will sit smugly in my J throne, and see all the plebs walk by, grin.

 

[kookaburra75]

Having done a lot of runs to the UK in the several years BC (before Covid) in Y, the CSM would come around and introduce themselves, and tell me to ask the flight attendant in that part of the cabin, if I needed anything - thank goodness for the old Y mini-cabin. They had my details on their iPad. Sometimes, they would drop back during the flight to see how I was going. That would happen on the SYD-SIN/DXB, SIN/DXB-LHR legs, and vice versa.

I sometimes asked for a glass of bubbles, and occasionally an after dinner Glenlivet, which was delivered. Another time I was invited up to the J lounge for New Year Eve drinks and nibbles (In the new configuration). After spending a few hours there, it was a long walk back down to my seat in row 80-something.

 

[bashworth]

If you are travelling for a special occasion make sure the flight attendants know.
We were on the first leg, Melbourne to Hong Kong ,of our RTW for our 40th Wedding Anniversary back in 2017.
As we got off we were handed a bottle of champagne.

 

[Himeno]

I've had the greetings on dozens of flights. I've noticed the CSM going around to selected seats during boarding/taxi with a tablet that I've come to expect it when I see them (especially on QF and CX) and take off my headphones when they get close to me.

It's never occurred to me to actually ask for anything.

 

[adammarcos]

I dont ask for anything at Nox Vidmate VLC the time of the greeting, but later I might ask for a freebie but I make sure its not outlandish.

 

[justinbrett]

On QF104 the other day, the CSM asked me specifically if she could get me a drink, which I took her up on (G&T).

 

[leadman]

That is one of the things that can make these greetings/requests a bit awkward. Often the people around you don't know what's going on and it can be a little embarrassing if you start getting glasses of wine etc. and nothing is offered to your seat neighbour.

I'm in this boat too. Years ago, it felt good, now I find it a bit embarrassing when you are in Y. When you're on the window and they lean across two people to thank you it's a bit uncomfortable for the people around you. The other day the CM had a 5 minute discussion. And TG, they often bring serve you first, so you sit there with your meal and it can be 10 to 20 minutes before everyone else is served. Feels a bit weird sitting there the only one eating.

15 years ago I don't think I would ever write about this, but I think age and wisdom grows, status doesn't.

 

[Rebus]

I have been QF SG for a couple of years now. Traveling domestically I have never received a welcome / check-in from the CSM and nor have I expected one on the basis that half the flight is likely to be SG or higher.

However, on a MEL-BNE service this week in whY I was approached by the CSM, greeted by name and asked how everything had been, did I need anything etc. The flight was only 70% full and the interaction took place in the downtime between meal service clear-up and preparation for landing so perhaps this will be a one-off.

Do any other QF SG get greeted in domestic Y?

 

[eric2011]

I mentioned this a number of years ago in a post but I think it is worth mentioning again. On an Emirates A380, BNE-AKL, in J class my IFE wasn't working and the CSM couldn't re-boot the system for me. He couldn't move me to another seat as the cabin was full he asked if he could do anything for me. By this time we were more than half way across the ditch and I jokingly said that on my return flight in a few days an upgrade to F would work and we both laughed. 4 days later when trying to board at the gate in AKL myself and swmbo got singled out by the check-in staff who took away our J seat BP's and gave us 2 BP's for F class. Once in our seats the CSM came to us and told us that her colleague had left a request on his I-pad.

 

[elanshin]

I have been QF SG for a couple of years now. Traveling domestically I have never received a welcome / check-in from the CSM and nor have I expected one on the basis that half the flight is likely to be SG or higher.

However, on a MEL-BNE service this week in whY I was approached by the CSM, greeted by name and asked how everything had been, did I need anything etc. The flight was only 70% full and the interaction took place in the downtime between meal service clear-up and preparation for landing so perhaps this will be a one-off.

Do any other QF SG get greeted in domestic Y?

I've had it happen once. But generally speaking I've got headphones in on domestic flights doing some sort of work, reading or napping.

 

[Princess Fiona]

I don’t request anything. I am mostly traveling in the cabin that I booked and know what is available to me in that cabin. I would never dream of asking for things that are outside the benefits provided to pax in the cabin I’m traveling in.
Anything above and beyond is a welcome bonus.
I have been surprised by some nice service and extras that wouldn’t normally be available to pax in my cabin but it has always been proactively offered to me, never requested.

 

[CaptJCool]

I’d ask for This!

Haigh's Luxury Advent Calendar

#html-body [data-pb-style=QRFEXIB]{justify-content:flex-start;display:flex;flex-direction:column;background-position:left top;background-size:cover;background-repeat:no-repeat;background-attachment:scroll}Indulgently count the days to Christmas with the L

www.haighschocolates.com.au

 

[NZflygirl]

I'm generally quite prepared eg have my own water bottle or these days if I want, my own frappe to board with. I have a blow up pillow if needed, a jacket in case the cabin gets cold, food if required eg banana, orange if I'm too buggared to wake up for food.

I once had a hankering for a hot chocolate but asked if I could have that after take off but they got it for me prior to take off.
I was offered a wine when only on a seat + bag fare on NZ, I think they offered the person next to me a drink also so it wasn't so awkward. To be fair I would just order it from the menu if I wanted it normally.
I asked for another wine but we were maybe 1.5hrs out from landing and I'm a bit environmentally conscious and aware they have to throw the unused wine out So I said don't open another bottle though. They went to J and brought back an expensive drop....I didn't enjoy it but definitely appreciated it!
Inflight I've asked to bring up my friends child from economy for a looksee and crew approved.
I've asked to switch down a cabin with a friend midflight and crew approved. I wouldn't normally ask for that but had a reasonable reason. Anyway his wife declined and thought he'd be ok. But I was shocked as I thought it was a big no. I generally preface those requests with a ... "I know this isn't the done thing and I totally understand if you say no but..... etc" I only thought about it inflight as was preoccupied prior to the flight. Would normally do swaps on boarding so as not to be disruptive.
I was yapping to a FA and he asked if I was one of their (QF) frequent flyers. I said yes but didn't reveal status, followed by "but my flying pattern is really boring" ... later he saw me yapping to other FAs and brought over 2 key rings and playing cards My current flatmate loves Qantas and bashes the hell out of Air NZ So it seemed reasonable to offer one to him.
VA one time I was the only person in J and it was that Raro overnight flight back to Auckland - it was midflight but they blocked off an economy row so I could sneak back and lie down. I think I said I wish I was in economy instead so I could lie down and they offered to block off a row.

What I like the most is actually just yapping to flight attendants and finding out a bit about what goes on behind the scenes but the "welcome, hi" etc isn't the time to yap. They have other people to visit. I tried to get a reaction from one of the FAs by asking for one of everything on the menu.... She didn't flinch!! Anyway I had to confess I didn't want everything I just wanted to see her reaction. She was like... "oh I've heard it all!" Speaking to her later she had a um... "favourite" customer in the other cabin. Anyway she called me her bestie when the food came around. It's nice to have a bit of fun and a chat. Short haul... they may or may not have time for that. Long haul - definitely got time and I love it

I know it's not quite the question you've asked but yeah apart from my hot chocolate one time, I haven't asked for anything. But inflight....

 

[LeonardMotley]

When you have status with the airline or alliance you're flying, you'll occasionally get a personal greeting from the Customer Service Manager (or purser/inflight service manager, depending on the airline) when flying in economy.

Usually this is a fairly standard greeting - they address you by name, welcome you on board, maybe mention how long the flight will take, and ask if there's anything they can do to make your flight more comfortable.

Now, obviously if I'm in economy, they could make my flight more comfortable by upgrading me. Clearly that's not going to happen, so I've never bothered to ask for that!
Speed Test
But what can you realistically ask for in this situation beyond perhaps an extra pillow, extra blanket, a bottle of water or maybe a cheeky glass of wine?

My most recent personal greeting was on an Emirates flight in Y, before takeoff. I believe the EK crew are not allowed to offer things from a higher cabin class, but I was thirsty so asked for a bottle of water and that wasn't a problem.

I wouldn’t usually ask for things like extra pillows, if I’d like one, until after the cabin settles down, as it’s unlikely to be available immediately, and they'll just forget later.

 

[justinbrett]

I wouldn’t usually ask for things like extra pillows, if I’d like one, until after the cabin settles down, as it’s unlikely to be available immediately, and they'll just forget later.

I wish people wouldn’t do that! A few weeks ago travelling in J, about 3 hours into the flight I was watching a movie and a FA came and took my blanket from my overhead compartment without asking. When it came time to sleep I had to ask them for it to be replaced.

 

[Stealthflyer]

I'm in this boat too. Years ago, it felt good, now I find it a bit embarrassing when you are in Y. When you're on the window and they lean across two people to thank you it's a bit uncomfortable for the people around you. The other day the CM had a 5 minute discussion. And TG, they often bring serve you first, so you sit there with your meal and it can be 10 to 20 minutes before everyone else is served. Feels a bit weird sitting there the only one eating.

15 years ago I don't think I would ever write about this, but I think age and wisdom grows, status doesn't.

Yeah I find the personal greetings very cringy. I travelled to Europe last year with my now retired father, who had status with Qantas for decades in his professional life. The Qatar staff greeted me and not my father, even though we were on the same booking. Sure, my Emerald status had got us those seats, but surely greeting both of us would have been nice. I felt quite embarrassed.