I still get mixed levels of "special" service on my flights, though overall, I think I do appreciate being P1 cf. WP. There's little chance I'll requalify P1 this year, so I'll make the most of it while I can. That said, I thought I'd share what happened on my flight on Monday, though I am often hesitant to do this, 1. as I don't want to set expectations for others and, 2. I don't want to get anyone in trouble.
When I boarded my flight CNS-BNE, I knew from EF that row 4 seating was X-X X-X, with me in 4C. I couldn't tell status of others in row 4, though later got the distinct impression I was the only P1 in Economy at least. I got my boarding pass from the service desk in CNS and I overheard some discussion with a man in front of me about seating arrangements, and heard he was moved to row 7 from the exit row.
Soon after boarding, I had to use the loo, so went to the back of the bus. When I got back, I found this same gent sitting in 4B. He said something like "the crew moved me here". I didn't say anything, though wasn't happy, as I was hoping to get some work done and was going to appreciate having the extra space to place paperwork etc. I considered talking with the CSM, though when I find myself in these situations, I have to remember that I'm getting the seat I paid for and to remain calm -- after all, why stress over something I can't control? (Though it is disappointing).
In the second half of the flight, the CSM popped her head through the curtain and apologised for not coming to greet me earlier, and asked if I'd accept a bottle of wine as an apology. Certainly unexpected on my part, though initially I thought she was apologising for my lost shadow-seat. We chatted about the meal (a chicken pie) and the fact I'd raced to the airport from meetings and hadn't had a chance to grab a more substantial bite to eat in the Lounge. At this stage, she discreetly offered for me to come and sit in the forward crew seat and gave me a spare biz meal (chicken salad), though I fear I may have been eating her crew meal! (I really hope not: I'd feel terrible, but she insisted). I really did appreciate this offer, as I was starving, and if I'd been more pro-active, would've even just have been happy to ask for another pie from the Y crew.
As we chatted further something came up about not having a spare seat next to me, and I indicated that it was originally free, and that another crew member had moved someone there. She was quite shocked and apologised even further, indicating that this should not have happened, given my P1 status. This is where I find having status challenging. I often appreciate the extra service and attention, seeing I'm on the "bus" so often, though I have to keep in mind never to expect it, otherwise I'll keep getting stressed and disappointed by things that do/don't happen. What causes the pain is the confusion and uncertainty over what to expect as P1.
Other simple examples of inconsistency include:
1. being offered a free wine on flights that usually incur a charge... sometimes it's free due to status, sometimes I have to pay. (Do I tell them that I often get this free as I'm P1? This sounds DYKWIA-ish to me. Or do I just shut up and pay up? -- These are the questions I'd like to ask someone in QF).
2. grabbing a pillow (I use this as lumbar support) when I'm in row 4, sometimes the crew will tell me to grab one from Business, and sometimes I get in trouble for grabbing one from Business.
3. Using Business toilet when sitting in row 4. Some CSMs come and tell row 4 to use it, sometimes I just go through and use it, and sometimes I just go down the back.
So, overall, I can't complain from this flight: the CSM discreetly handed me the bottle of wine as I departed, I got an extra meal and had a lovely chat with the CSM and other crew about the state of the company.
Other benefits I've had:
Flight Sim in 747. Bottle of wine for birthday (same time as Flight Sim experience). A couple in-lounge op-ups, a couple flight-delay op-ups and at least one CSM-initiated on-board op-up (all domestic). I've had one or two flights for non-changeable fares changed onto an earlier flight at the service desk/lounge, with them making special mention, "I can do this only due to your status". I got F reward flights to LHR released last August (only booked a couple weeks in advance) and I find the SST very helpful when I need their help.
(No offence to the DSC brigade...in fact bloody well done on playing the system to perfection.)
