Going the Extra Mile

SFLAX

SFLAX

Well-Known Member
So, yesterday I was coming home from ORD to OAK. And when I was checking in the Captian said I could come down with him, which means no waiting in line with the public. And I know, that AWA does not pay there FA's for the turn, so I usually help them, fold seat belts and pick up trash, this usually gets me moved up front if there is room. So the FA's tells me that he will ask number one if I could get the last, first class seat and she said that it is AWA policey that I am not mainline, that I can not, which is bs. Mind you the whole time I was helping them she stood around and feed her face. I was so pissed, but I did get a snack box. So right before the we leave, I still have faith, some non-rev gate agent comes down and sits in the that first class seat. Piss me off, I just want leg room.
 
8 hours, bottle to keyboard... Just kidding.

Hey at least you made it home, I always felt that if a F-class seat is available, employees should get it.

I remember at Frontier, the gate agents went out of their way to put employees in the emergency exit seats if they were available. Kind of a way to reward you with leg room and at the same time make sure they have someone in that seat that they don't have to worry about as much. I always seemed to score extra food on those kind of flights too. It was just assumed that you would stay around after the flight to cross seatbelts and help clean up though.
 
That's strange. At Airways (so I would imagen AWA soon) if you are in uniform you are pretty much gurenteed a F seat unless they are full, mainline or not. That sort of sucks that they didn't give it to you.
 
Timbuff10 said:
...I always felt that if a F-class seat is available, employees should get it.
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I always believed a PAYING customer should get it. I am philosophically opposed to any non-rev flying up front.
 
Jack said:
I always believed a PAYING customer should get it. I am philosophically opposed to any non-rev flying up front.
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But what does it matter when no one is occupying it?
 
Jack said:
I always believed a PAYING customer should get it. I am philosophically opposed to any non-rev flying up front.
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How many passengers actually pay for first class?

Generally the ones that do rarely care about a deadheading crewmember occupying a FC seat.

The ones that buy their groceries with a Frequent Flyer credit card are the ones that make a big stinky about it otherwise.
 
Doug Taylor said:
How many passengers actually pay for first class?

Generally the ones that do rarely care about a deadheading crewmember occupying a FC seat.

The ones that buy their groceries with a Frequent Flyer credit card are the ones that make a big stinky about it otherwise.
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My aunt who flies first class often, always ends up next to a captain or first pilot dead heading, and actually enjoys it.

Says if they're not sleeping, they are much better people to chat with. She says "they dont complain" and if she wonders what "that noise" was, they always know the answer!
 
Bigey said:
My aunt who flies first class often, always ends up next to a captain or first pilot dead heading, and actually enjoys it.

Says if they're not sleeping, they are much better people to chat with. She says "they dont complain" and if she wonders what "that noise" was, they always know the answer!
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I'm sure the pilots disagree.
 
BCTAv8r said:
I'm sure the pilots disagree.
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Well i dont know, a blonde that always draws attention.

In terms of talking and complaining i meant she's sat next to people that complain about work, about money, about other stuff when she's just trying to chill.

But pilots strike up a conversation with her, if they're not sleeping and she says they're more relaxed then the people on board.
 
SFLAX said:
So, yesterday I was coming home from ORD to OAK. And when I was checking in the Captian said I could come down with him, which means no waiting in line with the public. And I know, that AWA does not pay there FA's for the turn, so I usually help them, fold seat belts and pick up trash, this usually gets me moved up front if there is room. So the FA's tells me that he will ask number one if I could get the last, first class seat and she said that it is AWA policey that I am not mainline, that I can not, which is bs. Mind you the whole time I was helping them she stood around and feed her face. I was so pissed, but I did get a snack box. So right before the we leave, I still have faith, some non-rev gate agent comes down and sits in the that first class seat. Piss me off, I just want leg room.
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Next time demand that you get First Class! These Self Power Tapes are great to anyone who hasnt tried them.
 
Jack said:
I always believed a PAYING customer should get it. I am philosophically opposed to any non-rev flying up front.
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Yeah, if that customer actually paid for first class, either with money or by purchasing an upgrade with miles.

If he didn't, I say put 'em in coach. Want first class? Pay for it.
 
Jack said:
I always believed a PAYING customer should get it. I am philosophically opposed to any non-rev flying up front.
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and if a PAYING customer isn't occupying a fc seat (that does happen ya know) - what then? just leave it empty or fit it up with peeps that at least pay for it by working for the company or by someone who pays at least the taxes (buddy pass) to get on the flight...why leave it empty and get zero cash or use out of it?
 
I've heard the argument that all F/C seats should be full of paying passengers. No F/C seats empty, and no employees in first

If that's the way it is, there would literally be fisticuffs at the gate with people DEMANDING to be one of those put in a 'empty' F/C seat. I've seen people exchange nasty looks & words while boarding because someone accidentally stepped in front of them in line at the gate reader! And that's just to get ON the plane! People move other people's things to other overheads to make room for their own bags. It's crazy, and there would be fights between people demanding to be upgraded.

So, I'm sorry people, if you want F/C, PAY FOR IT. Buy a F/C ticket.

At AA we paid a service charge to sit in F/C. While commuting, the only time I ever sat in first was when coach was full and F/C was the only available seat (in which case the service charge was waived). I was that cheap! And I wasn't about to pay $19 just to ride in first between ORD & LGA everytime I went to/from work. I'm short, I don't need the legroom, there was rarely food between those city pairs and if there was I could buy a meal cheaper in the terminal anyway.
 
Coming back from RNO after the air races in 2002 the standby list was a mile long, and it came down to me having the last cabin seat, or me bypassing and taking a F/A jumpseat to allow one more non-rev to get on.

I took the jumpseat. Not because I'm noble & nice & wanted to do something nice for humanity but I knew that if I just took the jumpseat I'd have a nice sprawling aft galley to chill in, a place to put my bag, and I wouldn't have to climb over anyone to get in/out of my seat.

It was a great ride back. :) And, the non-rev who got that last seat was ecstatic and so grateful and you'd think the agent handed him a gold piece when she gave him his boarding pass. He thanked me for giving it up, but I told him (honestly) that I really didn't mind.
 
Doug Taylor said:
How many passengers actually pay for first class?
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Well, I do. I know I am an extremely small minority. But that isn't the point.

If there is an empty F/C seat then upgrade someone from coach who has paid for a seat. Each airline has its own policies as to how they do it, but it would seem that "he/she who has paid the highest fare or has the highest status" should get the seat over someone who has paid nothing.

I have no problem with employees/friends et.al. flying for free if there are empty seats. Its a small perk that hopefully will keep employees happy, well, happier at least.

But if you upgrade a paying passenger, you create goodwill and hopefully keep the people who are paying your salary happy and coming back.

Its called "customer service". I know, its hard to find these days and not a real popular concept in many industries but it does work when implemented.

As far as "fisticuffs at the gate" go, anyone who raises hell or abuses an employee shouldn't be allowed to fly at all. Call the cops.
 
Certainly I know about customer service, but you're more than likely to have a pleasant experience in first class next to a grateful employee than you are with one of "The Clampetts" that got upgraded because he bought his groceries on his SkyMiles card.
 
Doug Taylor said:
Certainly I know about customer service, but you're more than likely to have a pleasant experience in first class next to a grateful employee than you are with one of "The Clampetts" that got upgraded because he bought his groceries on his SkyMiles card.
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ROTFLMAO! Touche'
 
Jack said:
If there is an empty F/C seat then upgrade someone from coach who has paid for a seat.
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And people wonder why airlines are going bankrupt? It's in part because of thinking like this.

What happens when you GIVE AWAY your premium product? You lose the ability to charge for it. You think Singapore gives away seats in its first class cabin? No sir. You want it, you pay for it, and gee, look at what they're doing. Making money.

If you want first class, pay for it, or shut up, and put your ass in that coach seat.

Bad customer service? Whatever. My definition of customer service does not include giving someone filet mignon when they paid for hamburger.
 
tonyw said:
And people wonder why airlines are going bankrupt? It's in part because of thinking like this.

What happens when you GIVE AWAY your premium product? You lose the ability to charge for it. You think Singapore gives away seats in its first class cabin? No sir. You want it, you pay for it, and gee, look at what they're doing. Making money.

If you want first class, pay for it, or shut up, and put your ass in that coach seat.

Bad customer service? Whatever. My definition of customer service does not include giving someone filet mignon when they paid for hamburger.
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A first class seat isn't what is used to be anymore. (unless you're flying 14 hours straight)
 
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