When unstated WP, WP1 and CL benefits become almost farcical to fellow passengers!

[defurax]

Re: When unstated WP, WP1 and CL benefits become almost farcical to fellow passengers

I cant figure out the value these days of the Inwards Express Card - with the eGates in operation now I just go straight through them - I'm yet to encounter any delays using them

Lots of WP do not have access to eGates.

 

[reductionist]

Re: When unstated WP, WP1 and CL benefits become almost farcical to fellow passengers

Lots of WP do not have access to eGates.

I have access to eGates but I travel frequently with people who do not. The express card is helpful in this regard.

 

[Verde]

Re: When unstated WP, WP1 and CL benefits become almost farcical to fellow passengers

This is my experience. Although sans amenity kit as I have never asked for one. I should do that in the future. I usually get NC headphones.

On my LAX-MEL flight this year I was offered NC headphones and asked if there was anything else (I got upgraded to Y+ on the MEL-LAX flight which was nice). Actually felt slightly embarrassed to be getting the special treatment when nobody else around me was (though did appreciate the headphones). I didn't ask for anything else, though the strangest part was that the male FA/CSM literally stroked my forearm a few times while talking to me, so I wasn't sure if he was hitting on me or not (I'm a fairly normal guy, so not used to strangers gushing in friendliness, though living by myself one reason I enjoy flying is having someone bring me food and drinks without having to put any work into it, makes it feel very holidayish). I was more comfortable assuming he was just a touchy-feely type being friendly and he didn't return later in the flight, which reinforced that impression (I think he gave me the Express Path pass too).

The newspapers on domestic capital city flights seems fairly normal in my experience, just assumed they offered them to the front few rows of Y after offering it to business. I think I remember a few flights where they were targeting business dressed types with the papers and weren't interested in me despite being WP at the time, but most of the time I think I'd have been right to get one if I wanted to.

 

[Verde]

Re: When unstated WP, WP1 and CL benefits become almost farcical to fellow passengers

Can't understand why anybody would worry what other people think, if they want the same level of service and the perks that come with loyalty then they need to do the miles.

This whole theory of equality and that everyone must be awarded is beyond me.

My issue isn't with rewarding FF, it is with queue jumping in a very visible way. I feel bad (so often don't do it), heading to the premium checkin if there is a queue at regular checkin (I always have plenty of time anyway, since I usually go to the lounge for a while before a flight). Only time I really valued premium checkin was when flying LHR-DFW on AA, there was such a stupidly long line so I was very glad to get to a more sensible line, so it probably took half an hour to get checked in rather than the hour plus that the normal line looked like it would take.

I like being able to pick good seats etc, but 'showing off' is annoying. Just look at the comments about priority boarding when DYKWIA types get criticised for pushing in front of other WPs etc. That may be the trick, keeping things looking fair rather than everyone being the same (it is why unenforced priority boarding annoys me - waiting in line behind a couple saying to each other that they don't think it matters that they don't have the status/J ticket and then having that idea reinforced by the GA who let them straight through without saying anything).

 

[Archphoto]

Re: When unstated WP, WP1 and CL benefits become almost farcical to fellow passengers

When I was WP, I was travelling so much, that the priority check-in was a favourite, so that I could do it quickly and get to the lounge to relax before yet another longhaul flight.

When travelling with non-OW carriers, it was rather annoying to be stuck behind never-flown-before/fly-rarely/have-no-idea-what-I'm-doing passengers who would take 15 mins to check-in in 10 pieces of luggage because they had to repack/question everything the CS person was telling them etc. So using the priority lanes available was less stressful as 9/10 people using these, would usually be FF themselves and be ready with everything needed, and not be holding up the queues for too long.

I never see it as a DYKWIA parade - rather an efficient service for those people who catch flights the way the vast majority of workers around the world might catch the bus to work every day.

Can't recall having anyone glancing sideways at me - but in all honesty, being jealous over someone being offered something a little more because they fly often, shouldn't be of any concern to them. If anyone asked me - I'd have explained that a 747 was the equivalent of most people's daily bus ride to work - except that I flew every week for 42 weeks a year, and this was a way the airline said "thank you" for my patronage.

 

[Jobu]

Re: When unstated WP, WP1 and CL benefits become almost farcical to fellow passengers

I used to feel embarrassed using the APEC card to jump the immigration queue on departure, but as my travel built up it became more about how could I spend the least amount of time possible at the airport and arrive as late as possible for flights. Now I generally arrive 60 mins before international flights and therefore need all the queue jumping options there are to make my flight. (wish I could skip security though!)