When DYKWIA becomes the full <airline> tanty

[teamhamsandwich]

I saw a great tanty by a Chinese guy in PVG terminal 1 the other day. Security there has a VIP line, and next to it is a line for people who don't have a lot of time before their flight. Everywhere was busy except for the short time line. This Chinese guy tried numerous times to just undo the barrier between the vip line and join the shortest one. The security guard would tell him off each time. This went on until the guy was in a full screaming match with the security guard. It was great viewing whilst waiting in line!

 

[TheRealTMA]

Was highly amused boarding EK in MAD. On the gangway down to plane, fellow with EK 'gold' tags forcefully pushed past us. Never seen such behaviour before. A minute later we were all stopped in the queue for the door. When he boarded he indicated to the EK staff that as an EK gold he should turn left. No they said, to the right please into 'steerage'. While we turned left into 1E/F. Was amused and must admit quite satisfied.

 

[serfty]

Some years ago, when Qantas first started their DFW services, I was fortunate enough back then to secure a point upgrade to business out of Dallas.

After finding out I had been upgraded I went to seat selection - no changes were possible online and E/F indicated the cabin was now full. I had been fortunate enough to have been allocated 1A on the 4 class 747-400ER ... it was a "First" sold as "business" situation. I was reasonably happy to say the least.

At the airport, up in the lounge nest that is DFW D, there was a mid 30ish woman trying to get into zone A - she had a seat in the bubble and that was not good enough.

She ranted at fellow PAX in the lounge; she ranted at Qantas staff nearby. I heard her to say (to paraphrase) "I have paid $1000's for this flight and I deserve ...".

Her continual tirades made is quite clear what her perspective was ...

After having a feed, I departed soon after to the D A/C for a shower and she was still on it.

Soon after most PAX had boarded zone A the senior FA came around introducing themselves to each passenger and discreetly asking if they would prefer to travel upstairs, swapping with another passenger. All declined (including myself), some even rolling their eyes" or similar making it quite obvious they had heard the outspoken behavior back in the lounge and what they thought of it.

FWIW, the ranting was in 'Strine ...

 

[TomVexille]

I was privileged to see aquality 'tanty' last year.

Flying AA F domestic DFW-LAS. The flight was boarding and nearly completed. I noticed a middle aged woman, approach the CSM from Y asking for seating in F as she was an "Elite Member". (I missed the exact term she used, but she was making very clear her 'status')

Exactly at that moment, the Captain comes over the PA, announcing "as the flight is full, please take your seats quickly so we can depart on time" Along with other various suggestions about overhead lockers and the like.

The above mentioned middle aged woman, was very politley told by the CSM , the flight is full , as you have just heard, this time I'm unable to help you. Then she disappeared back to Y. Perhaps 2 minutes later, she returned, complaining " have you seen how cramped it is back there?" to the CSM. Again, the CSM apologised, stating there was nothing she could do as the flight was full.

I was thinking, that's the end of it. Less than a minute later the woman was leaning over me, requesting I or my partner give up our 'paid for' seats to her! (We were 1A and 1B) . Errr, no! She rolled her eyes...hmmph!! Then proceded to ask other people in F the same. She had perhaps asked 4 or 5 people, when the CSM reappeared, requesting her to take her seat immediately. The woman went ballistic! The DYKWIA speech was bordering on violent! The CSM, then calmly stated, "If you do not take your seat now, the police will be called and you will be removed from the flight"

She quickly resumed her seat. But, just as we were leaving the gate, again she re-appeared, aggressively approaching the CSM, asking for her details so she could lodge a formal complaint with AA. It was at this moment, the gentleman behind me, in 2A interjected with something along the lines of "sit the f... down, perhaps you should have paid for your bl...y F ticket" Believe me, it was much more colourful.

And with a smattering of applause, she disappeared back to Y. The man in 2A then gave his card to the CSM, saying "if she says anything, I will back you "

Well done by 2A. Sometimes people need to stand up for the FAs (or check in or gate agents).

 

[vetrade]

Well done by 2A. Sometimes people need to stand up for the FAs (or check in or gate agents).

Not so sure about that. Short of intervening in a potentially violent situation personally I think FAs are trained to handle such situations and should be left to do it free of 3rd party involvement to avoid the dispute escalating.
If someone is in my seat I find it most effective to be calm but blunt to ensure they realise immediately that it's not up for negotiation. E.g. "You're in my seat. You need to move". I would never ask "You're in my seat, would you mind moving?"

 

[drron]

In a story I have told before I came up with the perfect putdown.In the boarding line for QF before they attempted priority boarding and a fellow was pushing his way up the queue saying he was QF gold.He got to me and I didn't step aside telling him I was Life Time Platinum.At least he then said sorry.
I did forget to add that the status was on AA and I was really NB.

 

[RichardMEL]

Some years ago, when Qantas first started their DFW services, I was fortunate enough back then to secure a point upgrade to business out of Dallas.

...

Wonder if it was the same, or related to, person as my "window worshiper" ! lol

 

[Anna]

She ranted at fellow PAX in the lounge; she ranted at Qantas staff nearby. I heard her to say (to paraphrase) "I have paid $1000's for this flight and I deserve ..."

Aside from the ranting, especially ranting at fellow pax, I have some sympathy with a paid J pax being annoyed about getting a poorer seat than someone on a points upgrade.

 

[TomVexille]

Not so sure about that. Short of intervening in a potentially violent situation personally I think FAs are trained to handle such situations and should be left to do it free of 3rd party involvement to avoid the dispute excalating.
If someone is in my seat I find it most effective to be calm but blunt to ensure they realise immediately that it's not up for negotiation. E.g. "You're in my seat. You need to move". I would never ask "You're in my seat, would you mind moving?"

Sorry, I should have been more clear. 2A handing over his card to the FA is a class act, as no doubt the woman would have filed an absolute rant of a complaint.

 

[Gremlin]

More of a WDYTYA than a DYKWIA, but...

A few years back I went to board my local commute. The Priority Boarding lane was empty whilst General Boarding snaked back thru half the gate lounge. I walked straight down to the front of the PB lane (as I was entitled to do) only to have a delightful middle-aged lady part way back the General Boarding queue start shouting profanity after profanity in my direction for "queue jumping".

The QF gate attendants did nothing. I just ignored her, boarded and took my J seat. But when I was settled in, Ms SettingAGoodExampleForHerKids stopped by my seat on the way to hers and gave me another dose of extended profanity. The CSM then "kindly suggested" she take her seat or she may be escorted from the plane.

 

[Pushka]

It is amazing that some people would do that when you might ponder to think that anyone in a nicer seat than you (J in our world) might actually have a right to do so.

 

[anat0l]

It is amazing that some people would do that when you might ponder to think that anyone in a nicer seat than you (J in our world) might actually have a right to do so.

Well, no.

Reference the Up In The Air scene where Ryan waits in the priority line whilst checking into the Hilton, gets served first, and the lady who was "next" starts to complain. The man at the counter replies that they serve elite guests first.

This is simply ignorance. The idea of priority boarding gone mainstream in Australia really only has taken hold in the last few years. Before that, boarding was an egalitarian thing, so long as everyone respected the queue. If the said woman was middle aged, I guess she's not used to the whole class separation thing at the boarding gate, or even more so if it is a case of status.

Finally, people may just be venting. Why should you get to jump the queue just because you have a better seat or a shinier card than me? Because you deserve it? Because you "earned" or "paid" for it? Well <profanity> you, you pompous sod... what would your mother say to you? People think like this all the time. Is it right? No, but it's often not your place (nor time) to tell them otherwise. As many here seem to say, it's a water off ducks back thing and you just keep yourself content.

Certainly had my share of death stares at me when I've used the sparsely populated priority lines. Unlike Gremlin, probably not had any profane open remarks before.

I have had a story of a friend who was boarding a plane in Asia (can't remember which port now), with priority boarding in force. Of course, he did not start boarding with everyone else and the priority line was mainly empty, but still plenty in the general line. He tells me that he was going to the priority line (as he was entitled to) and as he was approaching the front, about half a dozen people started shouting at him telling him to line up like everyone else. He was about to get to the front when one of the shouters reached out from his position in the general line and grabbed my friend by the collar of his jacket, then pulled him sharply back and told him to go line up. An airline staff member from the priority line went to my friend and took his BP, then told the grabber that my friend was allowed to board in that line, and then the grabber let go, backed off and my friend was scanned to board. I think I remember my friend telling me that the flight departed slightly late, no doubt because a number of pax complained about what happened just then (how did someone jump the queue), however all were allowed to board the flight.

 

[Pushka]

I've had the reverse because I didn't know my 'entitlements'. Had just been upped to SG courtesy of MrP's travel. Was standing in a long queue with my mum in Hong Kong where someone walks along checking BP. He looked at mine then brought me and mum to the beginning of the line for priority boarding. It was then I realised how many opportunities I'd missed not doing this.

 

[TonyHancock]

The idea of priority boarding gone mainstream in Australia really only has taken hold in the last few years.

...or not at all in the case of Qantas domestic.

 

[irv]

Well, no.

Reference the Up In The Air scene where Ryan waits in the priority line whilst checking into the Hilton, gets served first, and the lady who was "next" starts to complain. The man at the counter replies that they serve elite guests first.

This is simply ignorance. The idea of priority boarding gone mainstream in Australia really only has taken hold in the last few years.

This is not about status on airlines but translates also to hotels. We were in Canada, the Hilton at Niagara Falls, it was busy and most of us were non status customers. So I am being served, and this bloke turns up next to me in the status book in, the girl serving me was obviously manning both. He turns to her and says in a belittling voice, you know I have XX status, how long do I have to wait. I saw red and said along these lines you might have status, but you have no manners, you are are obviously a rude cough***le, I am sure when this lady finishes with us you will get served, otherwise keep hitting the bell buddy. Watching his face I wondered how high blood pressure could go, but he had no response, however I think back now and hope that girl serving us didn't cop it

 

[serfty]

Aside from the ranting, especially ranting at fellow pax, I have some sympathy with a paid J pax being annoyed about getting a poorer seat than someone on a points upgrade.

1A and several other Zone A seats had been unallocated for some weeks before the flight (I was watcing closely) ... I can't imagine why she did not ensure preallocation there if that was her desire.

 

[Fiches Mouser]

More of a WDYTYA than a DYKWIA, but...

A few years back I went to board my local commute. The Priority Boarding lane was empty whilst General Boarding snaked back thru half the gate lounge. I walked straight down to the front of the PB lane (as I was entitled to do) only to have a delightful middle-aged lady part way back the General Boarding queue start shouting profanity after profanity in my direction for "queue jumping".

The QF gate attendants did nothing. I just ignored her, boarded and took my J seat. But when I was settled in, Ms SettingAGoodExampleForHerKids stopped by my seat on the way to hers and gave me another dose of extended profanity. The CSM then "kindly suggested" she take her seat or she may be escorted from the plane.

That's disappointing that the crew didn't do anything. I often think one of the hardest parts (if you can say that ) of having status is actually getting your benefits honoured. I always feel like a fraud when trying use priority boarding with SQ, since they never mention VA status, only KF and *G. So it'd be nice if staff were proactive about it and at least mentioned it in the announcement. I consider myself to be a savvy traveller, so I can only imagine what it's like for those who don't spend their life on AFF, et al.

However, it goes the other way – those who think their status is a free pass to be an ******* whenever they please. I do feel like it's the airline's issue to educate pax and manage expectations. Between signage and guidance from crew, they can make it a lot simpler and more pleasant for everyone, while still honouring the benefits of those who are entitled to them.

This is not about status on airlines but translates also to hotels. We were in Canada, the Hilton at Niagara Falls, it was busy and most of us were non status customers. So I am being served, and this bloke turns up next to me in the status book in, the girl serving me was obviously manning both. He turns to her and says in a belittling voice, you know I have XX status, how long do I have to wait. I saw red and said along these lines you might have status, but you have no manners, you are are obviously a rude cough***le, I am sure when this lady finishes with us you will get served, otherwise keep hitting the bell buddy. Watching his face I wondered how high blood pressure could go, but he had no response, however I think back now and hope that girl serving us didn't cop it

This one is hard though. There is absolutely no excuse for that kind of behaviour and no one should have to put up with it. However, I often find myself wondering what the point of a hotel elite check-in line is if you only have one person manning the desk.

Are they just for periods of high demand? I don't think I've ever used priority checkin at a hotel (except where I've been proactively escorted to a lounge). I'd just feel like an idiot when there's only one other party. But I have no issue doing it at an airport!

I think it really comes down to the airline/hotel's execution. It can be done subtly and with dignity.

 

[marki]

We DWKWIA's are not that dissimilar to other pax.....we are just more important.

I believe the term is more equal

 

[TonyHancock]

I believe the term is more equal

No, definitely more important.

 

[marki]

Back in 2009 I was flying AirNorth from Dili to Darwin and the guy in front me who had an accent unmistakeably LOTFAP and worked for the UN was having was having a meltdown about having to pay US$10.00 departure tax "I've never had to pay this before, I'm UN, how long has this been in rant rant rant." I was actually embarrassed to be a foreigner and it's not like the guy wouldn't have been able to claim it back on expenses.

The departure tax was always there but it was probably his first time flying on TL and the departure tax was only payable for pax travelling on RPT flights not the UN charter flight nor the PDL Toll ADF charters which he would've been on other times.

I'd seen a number of other UN DYKWIA moments back in 2001 when I worked over there and the sense of entitlement they had where even someone working at the airport dispaching the UN flights was on USD5,000.00 per month tax free compared to the average wage for a local which was USD120.00 per month.

A few months later the UN DH-7 went u/s prior to the DIL/DRW flight and as the ADF charter flight had a few seats left we were asked if we could take some of the pax. The pilots asked me who we should take which was a no brainer for me ie we took the Aspen Medical Doctor & Nurse and the remainder of UN pax got to stay behind.

Ozbeachbabe I could not believe it!! I worked in Timor Leste and for Aspen Medical. Small world indeed !!!