When DYKWIA becomes the full <airline> tanty

[jb747]

It amazes me that anyone would dream of saying DYKWIA, or anything like it.

 

[OATEK]

It amazes me that anyone would dream of saying DYKWIA, or anything like it.

You must move in restricted circles JB. While I have not heard it so often at airports, I have heard it far too many times.

I remember one time in a Hotel queue, when someone pushed to the front saying something that was a very close approximation to DYKWIA, I responded that I find it very difficult in life to tell the difference between those who are important and those who are merely self important! I received a few expletives when I said I was reasonably confident that on this occasion it was the latter. BTW, it was a sports person...

 

[UP4014]

It amazes me that anyone would dream of saying DYKWIA, or anything like it.

Amazing yes, but true. I am also amazed re at airports and flying, if you bought a ticket and if the plane departs you will get what you paid for (odd stuff ups excluded of course) there is no need to push to the front.

Matt

 

[jb747]

Pretty much a rule. Those who are actually important are the nicest, lowest fuss, people.

Anyway, I don't care......unless you happen to be Buzz Aldrin.

 

[leadman]

Whilst not a DYKWIA moment, I have had a few Please Recheck The Status (PRTS) moments and it was most common at the old BA lounge in T4 LHR. It just seemed that 75% of the time staff would direct QFF'ers to the business lounge and you would just have to remind them, politely, that you could go the other way. Some of my travelling colleagues agree that this longue was the worst culprit.

 

[blackcat20]

I giggled when we were in the MEL QP and our flight was cancelled (that bit not so funny) and there was a guy berating the service desk with "but I'm a number one QF frequent flyer" and "I have to be there for a gig" etc etc. If he was as important as he thought he was (and as frequent a flyer as he insisted), surely he would have been in the J lounge and not the QP.

 

[medhead]

Amazing yes, but true. I am also amazed re at airports and flying, if you bought a ticket and if the plane departs you will get what you paid for (odd stuff ups excluded of course) there is no need to push to the front.

Matt

hahaha - except for Qantas domestic premium boarding. This week the entire plane was lined up on the premium boarding lane with one FA scanning. It was a complete mess. Anyway, I certainly made sure I was in a position to make sure Qantas provided the service they offer me when a second person started scanning. Didn't even need to say DYKWIA or anything.

 

[RichardMEL]

I think those of us that are real frequent flyers, and who know the drill, are a) prepared b) reasonably accepting that Stuff Happens (because we've seen it/experienced it from time to time) and c) not the pushy demanding types because we know we'll get there and berating service people or being rude to others won't help things.

Me? I always try and be helpful in a situation or at least understanding and trying to work with staff rather than against them (luckily "situations" have been few and far between!) and not uber demanding. I don't roll over (for example some years back a cancelled flight with a J cabin and fare they wanted to pop me in Y on a Dash8 and I was firm on ORC) but hopefully reasonable about it all.

Yes, I sometimes get frustrated specially behind noobs in security lines that somehow think "priority lane" means then (true, they may be once a year flyers in J, but I see so many I really wonder) but I just try to be cool and wait quietly while they sort their cough out, or if possible without being rude go around and get through while they figure out their jackets and phones and all the rest.

(yesterday I saw a woman at the priority queue in MEL having an argument with the guy about her aerosol hair spray .... )

When it's old hat we just get on with it and not make a fuss.

And you know what sometimes it works for us to be reasonable. eg some months ago at a Crowne Plaza, I arrived after the stated check in time of 2pm for my room. It wasn't ready yet I'm line fine no worries. I'm an IHG Plat (who isnt right? ) but didn't play that card or be a jerk (it was like 2:30pm) so I just said hey no worries I'll go for a walk down to the beach and be back in 20-30 minutes. I came back after a nice stroll. No problem here's your key, and we've comp'd you breakfast for the delay and here's a couple of extra free drinks too for being so understanding" I didn't go out for that, but it was nice and I enjoyed my brekky !

 

[defurax]

It amazes me that anyone would dream of saying DYKWIA, or anything like it.

Some people are even beyond saying it and just get involved physically! James Packer involved in Crown security fracas

 

[medhead]

And you know what sometimes it works for us to be reasonable. eg some months ago at a Crowne Plaza, I arrived after the stated check in time of 2pm for my room. It wasn't ready yet I'm line fine no worries. I'm an IHG Plat (who isnt right? ) but didn't play that card or be a jerk (it was like 2:30pm) so I just said hey no worries I'll go for a walk down to the beach and be back in 20-30 minutes. I came back after a nice stroll. No problem here's your key, and we've comp'd you breakfast for the delay and here's a couple of extra free drinks too for being so understanding" I didn't go out for that, but it was nice and I enjoyed my brekky !

And if they instead said "Your room's not ready yet but we have a solution. You can upgrade to X room for a cost of $Y extra per night"?
Yes, I have experienced that situation when arriving a couple of hours after check in time. My response was "no thanks". My feedback to IHG hotel was that no customer should be asked to pay to fix the hotel's problem.

 

[drron]

It is always a good idea to be nice.It can work a treat.I will relate again my 2 stories of being nice and tanties.They actually occurred within 3 months of each other about 8 years ago.
The first was in MIA.We were flying back from Curacao but even allowing a 3 hour transit to connect to our LGA flight MIA Immigration successfully thwarted our plans.To make matters worse I had a points upgrade to F to celebrate the flight that got me over the line to EXP.Naturally when we got to the transit desk there was no F availability on the next flight but the agent did say she would ring the gate to see if we could be upgraded.Basically had to go to the gate immediately as boarding was in about 15 minutes.I walked up to the desk and asked about upgrades and was told no it is a full flight.As I turned away the agent asked to see my BPs.Oh drron,here are your new BPs.
At that point the fellow standing next to me literally exploded.There was the full on tanty shouting that he was an EXP and was top of the upgrade list so why did this big,fat ********(several expletives) get the upgrade.He then proceeded around the whole gate area shouting the same sentiments and expletives ending always with-I will never fly AA again.
A little later I asked the agent just how I had got the upgrade.Her reply-because every time he contacts us it is a complaint but you give praise for good service.You were always going to get the upgrade.Besides he always says he will never fly AA again but unfortunately he keeps turning up.


Second instance was in ADL when I was flying VA back to MCY via SYD.The person in front was a young woman accompanied by her non flying partner.Her name on the booking did not match that on the ID she offered.She was told that she couldn't get her flight but she would give everything to her supervisor to sort out so she could get the next flight but there would be an extra cost.I thought well handled.
Not so the young woman or her partner who must have been heard through the whole terminal.Again numerous expletives used and she easily outdid her partner.probably 6-7 minutes before they walked away.
I the went to check in and offered some kind words to the agent as she was obviously upset.I finished with stating that I couldn't do her job and smile while idiots like that ranted.She said thanks and I have put you into the exit row on both your flights.

Moral-be nice to everyone.

 

[RichardMEL]

And if they instead said "Your room's not ready yet but we have a solution. You can upgrade to X room for a cost of $Y extra per night"?
Yes, I have experienced that situation when arriving a couple of hours after check in time. My response was "no thanks". My feedback to IHG hotel was that no customer should be asked to pay to fix the hotel's problem.

Well my case they never did. They offered me drinks at the bar while I waited, but I'd had a bunch of wine on the plane so I felt a walk was smarter for me.

My point was less about IHG or the specific situation but that I could have jumped up and down at the clerk and demanding a better room that was available or to be given this or that as a Plat or even that it was after posted check-in time so the room should be ready (given I was also wanting a late check out myself that would seem a bit hypocritical ) ... but no I didn't do that. It all worked out well

 

[Quickstatus]

Rcent experience at QF Flounge LAX.
Family with 2 kids = 4 pax on the QF12 in F.
They wanted to move other F passengers around to suit their preferred sitting arrangements. They were in 2F3F3K4K. We were in 2A3A. They wanted to move K to A. Said they paid for 4 F seats and QF frequent flyers and therefore deserved to choose whatever seats they wanted. Lounge agent said they will make a request.
We were directly behind them and even after travelling for a full day to get to that point, I knew that swopping from K to A while keeping F is not a good idea in QF F cabin as a barrier is between F and A seats.
Anyway happy to swop.

Upon settling into the F cabin, said family not happy with F and A seats and wanted to swop back to F and K seats. CSM came to us to see if we could swop. Happy to we said (however in an cabin audible voice also said that same family wasted 20 minutes of our time at FLounge counter with their initial requent to swop from K to A.

Properly statused and experienced QF FF know about the seats on a QF aircraft. Obviously the parents of this family of 4 have no idea but lots of money.

The best thing then happened during the flight. Captain said we can see Lord Howe Island in very nice clear weather outside the left side windows. Beautiful view it was. Said family did not move.....

 

[medhead]

Well my case they never did. They offered me drinks at the bar while I waited, but I'd had a bunch of wine on the plane so I felt a walk was smarter for me.

My point was less about IHG or the specific situation but that I could have jumped up and down at the clerk and demanding a better room that was available or to be given this or that as a Plat or even that it was after posted check-in time so the room should be ready (given I was also wanting a late check out myself that would seem a bit hypocritical ) ... but no I didn't do that. It all worked out well

totally get your point. Sorry to distract from that. I was also nice-ish to the clerk - "No thanks". Not their fault the room isn't ready. Just I would've preferred your experience to my experience.

 

[jb747]

Not sure if I've ever told this tale before....but quite a few years ago now.

767 on Friday afternoon from Melbourne to Coolangatta. Basically the dirty weekend special.

Couple arrive and go to lounge. Don't check-in until very late. Tickets were purchased separately with different surnames. Aircraft is full, and whilst both are in business, they aren't together. Just about last to arrive at aircraft.

When departure time arrives, and the door hasn't been closed, ask CSM what's going on. Informed that she has taken her seat, but he is having a heated argument with the gate agent in the bridge. Give them a few seconds to sort the act out, whilst checking with the company to see if he has any checked luggage. Answer is no, plus he hasn't actually been on the aircraft, and is still carrying his bag. Direct FO to go back and close the door. Tell CSM it is not to be reopened. Call company have bridge removed.

Apparently the girl was mortified by his behaviour, and had struck up a conversation with the bloke next to her by the time we arrived in CG.

 

[opusman]

Anyway happy to swop.

You're far more easy going than I am, no way I would voluntarily give up A seats in F, especially to a bunch of spoiled bogans.

 

[RichardMEL]

Agree I'd have not given up an A seat for ppl like that.

 

[UP4014]

Not sure if I've ever told this tale before....but quite a few years ago now.

767 on Friday afternoon from Melbourne to Coolangatta. Basically the dirty weekend special.

Couple arrive and go to lounge. Don't check-in until very late. Tickets were purchased separately with different surnames. Aircraft is full, and whilst both are in business, they aren't together. Just about last to arrive at aircraft.

When departure time arrives, and the door hasn't been closed, ask CSM what's going on. Informed that she has taken her seat, but he is having a heated argument with the gate agent in the bridge. Give them a few seconds to sort the act out, whilst checking with the company to see if he has any checked luggage. Answer is no, plus he hasn't actually been on the aircraft, and is still carrying his bag. Direct FO to go back and close the door. Tell CSM it is not to be reopened. Call company have bridge removed.

Apparently the girl was mortified by his behaviour, and had struck up a conversation with the bloke next to her by the time we arrived in CG.

A classic.

 

[SeatBackForward]

It amazes me that anyone would dream of saying DYKWIA, or anything like it.

With things concerning flying, I'm fairly certain that you could play that card...but the uniform probably saves the embarrassment for others.

 

[UP4014]

While not at an airport I have had people get on the BAM when parked at Sydney Terminal. I might be outside chatting to someone and they get on and help themselves to a drink, as you guys know everyone is offered a drink by the friendly bar staff. I would not normally worry and even let them finish to let them have the experience, but more than once have had to ask them to leave with people insisting they were on the correct train.

Have had one person get on mid trip when we pulled up a red signal at Mt Druitt station, slipped in under the radar when I wasn't watching and then asked to see the 'manager' when we got put away in a siding for a couple of trains to over take us and wanted to complain about the delay. When I pointed out they were drinking my personal booze served to their seat and did they think it looked like the commuter service they produced their $3.60 ticket and kept complaining. I made sure we pulled up at an infrequently used station so they could alight.


Matt