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10 Passengers we love to, umm....not like as much as the others: Day 4 - The passenger who tries to score a free first class seat
In Grant Martin's post, The top 5 myth's about getting an upgrade, he wrote...
Flight attendants have no control over who gets upgraded when there always might be one last business class passenger coming down the jet bridge right before departure, so they can't give away a seat. After the boarding door is closed? Maybe if you're discreet, but with everyone watching, the flight attendant will most definitely say no.
Now I don't know if Grant was ever a flight attendant, dated a flight attendant, or spends a lot of time in the galley talking to flight attendants, but he's absolutely right! Flight attendants do not have upgrading powers. But agents do, so make sure to talk to one before you board. That said, the only passengers I've ever seen upgraded for free after the door has been shut were uniformed military personel...and...well...they kind of deserve it, don't ya think?
Below is a list of 10 types of passengers who don't deserve an upgrade, but give it a shot anyway....
1. I-think-I'm-a-frequent-flier passenger - "I'm a frequent flier and..." That's how it starts. First of all, I can spot a frequent flier a mile away, so please don't tell me how many miles you've flown because that's my first clue you haven't flown as often as you think, not compared to our frequent fliers today. See those passengers sitting in the exit row, as well as the first three rows of coach? Those passengers are at the top of the upgrade list. The best seats on the airplane are held and/or blocked for passengers who fly tens of thousands of miles each year. Anyway, real frequent fliers know the drill, they know what to expect, and they know where, exactly, their name is on the upgrade list, which means I don't have to tell them they won't be getting an upgrade, the way I'm telling you, because they know, that I know, that they know exactly what's going on.
2. The curious passenger - "Hmm...I was wondering...is first class available?" asks the passenger who has just sauntered very...slowly...down...the aisle, checking out all the empty seats in first and business class on their way to their seat in coach. The answer to this question is no. First class is almost always booked full, so just because you see a few open seats does not mean those seats are available. Many of our frequent fliers spend time relaxing in private airline clubs and often times will be last to board the flight. If for whatever reason Mr. First Class does not make the flight, Mr. Exit Row will be taking the seat before you.
3. The injured passenger - Comes on board limping, moaning and groaning as soon as he/she spots me standing at the aircraft door greeting passengers and immediately begins the old bad back and knee routine. There's no way they'll be able to endure an entire flight cramped in a coach seat, I'm told, even though they already knew this when they purchased their tickets in coach online months ago. Hey I feel your pain, I know flying is not easy, but that does not equate to a free upgrade. However, if I can find a few extra pillows and blankets (they're not always on board), I'll do whatever I can to make your flight more comfortable. Just keep in mind there's only so much I can do.
4. The inconvenienced passenger - Either their headsets don't work, the reading light is out, the seat doesn't recline, I ran out of the beverage of their choice, or there's a smelly person sitting beside them, whatever it is, and it's always something, they believe they're entitled to a first class seat because of the inconvenience. If there's another seat available in coach, you're more than welcome to it, but there's no way I'm moving you from coach to first class when there are seats available. Click here to find out why. 
5. The charming passenger - "Wow, what a great smile," says the passenger who is now squinting at my gold plated name tag pinned to my blue lapel. "So how are you doing today, Heather?" Although this passenger is always nice and polite, my favorite kind of passenger, whenever someone uses my name the alarm in my brain automatically begins to ring - alert, alert, special request coming! Nine times out of ten this passenger works in sales and while they may be successful on the ground, they're not so successful at 35,000 feet.
6. The ill passenger - I wrote about this passenger in great detail in the Galley Gossip post, The passenger didn't ask for much. Oh you remember her, the passenger who asked for a first class seat, a business class mug, help to the bathroom, uncooked veggies and potatoes, and then had the nerve to tell me she would be deplaning first, even though she sat in coach. Look, I'm sorry you're sick and I'll bring you all the Ginger ale, hot tea, damp towels, and barf bags you need, but just because you don't feel well does not give you the right to a first class seat, not when you should really be at home, not barfing all over our premium passengers.
7. The surprised passenger - This passenger seems genuinely shocked to learn you have to actually pay for a first class seat. I've seen this passenger wander on board and make themselves comfortable in a plush leather seat located in one of the first rows of the airplane, reclining the seat all the way back, propping their feet on the foot rest, and treating themselves to a glass of champagne. "I just thought you might be nice," a passenger once said after I told her she and her husband could not stow away in first class, not when they paid for a seat in coach. While I am nice, I'm not that
nice.
8. The honeymooning passenger - Whenever someone tells me it's their honeymoon, I know exactly what they want, big time special treatment. And I give it to them. I ask about their wedding and talk to them about where they're going and I might even make an announcement to congratulate the happy couple. But I don't move them up to first class. Even when times were good and airlines weren't furloughing employees and going into bankruptcy every other week, I didn't upgrade honeymooners just because they decided to take their relationship to the next level and tie the knot.
9 The celebrity passenger - I'm a celebrity get me out of here! is not just a television show, because I've actually seen it happen on the airplane. Now I'm not naming names, but years ago I had a very famous singer known for his long blond locks who purchased a seat in coach and then demanded to be upgraded for free because he said he'd be "mobbed" in coach. All I can say is, my how times have changed. Because today I'm pretty sure that the singer who recently broke up with - I better not say - only wishes he could get mobbed in coach.
10. The combination passenger - This is the worst type of passenger, Pulling every trick in the book, this passenger has no shame and will stop at nothing in their quest for a free upgrade. Trust me when I tell you there's always a multiple number of issues going on here. Like sometimes they're honeymooning and inconvenienced, while other times they're injured and also charming. It doesn't matter what they are, they just are, and I'm the lucky one who gets to hear all about it until the end of the flight.
Filed under: Airlines, Galley Gossip





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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Traytable Jun 4th 2009 10:29AM
I love how passengers look at me like I'm a liar when I tell them I have absolutely no authority to upgrade. The only people at my airline who can do it are a) the agents, for any reason they like b) the purser/manager, for a very limited few reasons and c) the captain, for whatever reason sh/e feels s/he can justify to the company. But mere little moi, cannot.
And noo amount of tanty-throwing, swearing or vomiting on my shoes will change that (seriously!)
Pat Jun 4th 2009 1:20PM
Humbling post. I was thinking about going for #2 or #5 on an upcoming trip across the pond. Thanks for knocking some sense into me. I'm usually a very unobtrusive passenger, I swear!
Chris Jun 4th 2009 2:27PM
It seems like if you had to pick from any of the list, #'s 2 and 5 would be the lesser of 10 evils!
I'm one of the ones that ALWAYS knows where I am on the list. I always get a giggle out of the clearly non-frequent (non-rolling bag, uncomfortable shoes, etc.) traveler walks up to the desk or the FA and says "I don't suppose there's anything available in First is there?
I try to be as unobtrusive as humanly possible most of the time... but I have a feeling I may make the 10 passengers we love to hate list... I'm the "take full and complete advantage of the upgrade" guy. I go through several glasses of wine, enjoy the meal, the hot towel, the warm nuts, and occasionally ask for extras (the cheese bread on AA is actually pretty dang tasty!)... of course I don't complain by any definition of the word if extras aren't available, but I do make sure to get my upgrade credits' worth out of my seat!
Josh Jun 4th 2009 8:41PM
Just seems like you are trying to be some great defender of the Airline company. What would it ever hurt to discreetly give someone a 1st Class upgrade?
Here's what I hate: Petty flight attendants who suddenly are given a small inkling power and make it their duty to protect the great company they work for.
Not saying that you should upgrade everyone, but seriously, how would you get in trouble? What would it hurt?
Wish we could go back to the 60's and 70's when flight attendants were good looking young folks with great personalities.
frank96 Jun 4th 2009 11:18PM
Josh
Jun 4th 2009 8:41PM
Just seems like you are trying to be some great defender of the Airline company. What would it ever hurt to discreetly give someone a 1st Class upgrade?
Not saying that you should upgrade everyone, but seriously, how would you get in trouble? What would it hurt?
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Josh, what if YOU had paid for a first class seat and YOU watched one of those (petty) Flight Attendants sit someone in first class for free? Upgrades are for those who frequent the airline and are repaid for their business via perks. The flight attendant would diminish the product if they upgraded the honeymooners, the elderly who want to sit close to the lavatory, the obese, etc..etc. Even worse, passengers would catch on and demand that first class be used as compensation, which it IS NOT. It's a product and YOU PAY FOR IT.
Josh Jun 5th 2009 12:53PM
@ Frank
I HAVE PAID for 1st Class.
I have also been upgraded to 1st Class for free once.
I have flown 1st class 6 times in my life, and business class three times.
Each time I've been in 1st class I've enjoyed it immensely.
However, the entire flight, I didn't spend one second considering how or why anyone else was there or got there. I was there, I enjoyed my flight. I really don't pay much attention to people who sit across the aisle from me. If they're not interested in having a conversation or even if they are, I don't care who they are, what they do, or how they got the seat they did. They can tell me and I can tell them about me, but as soon as the flights over, I don't give a darn.
Not only is the likelihood of me finding out if the other person got in for free next to nothing, but if I did find out I paid for it and they didn't, the only real response I could have would be, "good for them."
Your argument is comparable to complaining that it's not fair that some people win the lottery and some people have to earn money. Sucks that it wasn't you, but why should you be mad at them?
Ever get a hotel room upgrade? Wasn't it great?. Car rental upgrade? Same thing. Ever get a free desert at a restaurant cause the waiter screwed up your order or spilled a drink? What about great seats at a sporting event because it was undersold? All the same type of thing.
It's called customer service. If the customer has a valid claim to some injustice or special need and the upgrade is available, there is no reason to deny it. The corporate offices know this, the reservation agents know this, the only real dunder head, stickler, nazi-strict, nay-sayers are the flight attendants who get off on the power they are suddenly given.
You are right it is a product people pay for... with a heavily marked up ticket value. So if someone got it on the cheap or free and I found out, only words that come to my mind are, "Lucky" and "good for them".
Jess Jun 5th 2009 2:22PM
Josh-
Wish we could go back to the 60's and 70's when flight attendants were good looking young folks with great personalities.
I'm a 22 year old flight attendant. Just because I am young doesn't mean that I would upgrade you to first class.
How would we get in trouble? There are OTHER passengers on the flight that would see you get moved up to first class for absolutely no reason at all, that WILL send in a comment card to our boss. ANd there is no Discreetly...moving people up to first class. The other passengers are 1 foot away from us at all times and can everything we say.
frank96 Jun 5th 2009 7:38PM
Josh
Jun 5th 2009 12:53PM
However, the entire flight, I didn't spend one second considering how or why anyone else was there or got there. If they're not interested in having a conversation or even if they are, I don't care who they are, what they do, or how they got the seat they did. They can tell me and I can tell them about me, but as soon as the flights over, I don't give a darn.
Not only is the likelihood of me finding out if the other person got in for free next to nothing, but if I did find out I paid for it and they didn't, the only real response I could have would be, "good for them."
========================================================
Your opinion is not shared by many frequent flyers as well as employees of many airlines. First, it's against company policy. Secondly, frequent flyers are watching the first/business cabin like a hawk to see if there are empty seats in hopes of a last minute upgrade. Many Freq. flyers KNOW where they are on the upgrade LIST. Should I upgrade someone on a whim, one of my co-workers, there's thousands and thousands of flight attendants at each airline could and would write me up. And, I could be surprised by a letter in my file wanting an explanation and possible discipline by my supervisor. So, you see, its NOT worth the hassle.
Josh said:
Ever get a hotel room upgrade? Wasn't it great?. Car rental upgrade? Same thing. Ever get a free desert at a restaurant cause the waiter screwed up your order or spilled a drink? What about great seats at a sporting event because it was undersold? All the same type of thing.
==================================================
NO, it's NOT the same thing. All the passenger types that Heather mentions want first class or business class for FREE. The above scenarios you mention get compensated for an "inconvenience" or a problem. That's different.
Lucas Jun 7th 2009 3:54AM
Even though you believe you deserve it Josh, have you ever thought about the costs for an airline to upgrade a passenger from coach to first class?
Everything, and I mean EVERYTHING, in a plane has an outraging cost to be transported and, when you have all that china, glasses, mugs and silverware, somebody has to pay for it. The more it weights, the more it costs. That's why we have so much plastic on coach. I'm a flight attendant in Brazil and I can say I'm not happy about it, I'm sure you aren't either, but, if we went back to the 60's, you wouldn't be paying a couple hundred of dollars for your ticket, would you?
Just think about that when we say we love to hate that kind of passenger.
CPS Jun 13th 2009 2:55AM
Dear Josh, don't you know that if you up grade 1 person you might as well up grade them all!!, because, the rest have there head's held up high with a look of " why not me ? " or I should have been up graded because I'm better than the rest,or I know the the top man and I want a full explanation, why not me? Back in the 60's - 70's, It's true thing's were very different, In the 1st. class compartment, and also the F/A dress code, but so were peoples maners and there dress codes and behavior . I'm not sure but was that something like " There Was Class ".
Ron Jun 4th 2009 10:28PM
I think this post is Brilliant! I can't even believe the things people will try for an upgrade, I've never even thought of half of them.
I for one, would like to thank flight attendants for not upgrading people based on their schemes and upholding the integrity of the cabin! I think people don't realize that it's really easy to get upgraded, all you have to do is show loyalty to one airline and become a member of their F.F. Program, and before you know it, you'll be getting upgraded too, and it's a lot easier than trying all these shenanigans!!!
Joe Jun 5th 2009 3:53PM
I was upgraded once, when I was pretty young. There was an issue with the booking process of a flight to the Bahamas and my parents and I were assigned new seats. My seat ended up being in first class. I kept it for me and didn't one of my parents sit there. hehe. My parents have enough frequent flier miles (and they're not very frequent fliers) saved to get first class seats, anyways.
It sometimes amazes me that some people have very large senses of entitlement when they're in an airplane.
Natalia Jun 6th 2009 10:07AM
I'm crew for a very strict airline &, Josh, if i actually upgraded someone from Economy right up to Business or First Class the chances are i would quite possibly lose my job. I am not joking! We even have our own staff sitting down the back a lot of the time - & this is longhaul - i'm talking over 12 hours here!
To quote you Josh - "You are right it is a product people pay for... with a heavily marked up ticket value." Well, that's not quite strictly true where i come from. Economy is bums on seats. Those seats pay for that flight to operate & hopefully break even. First Class is where we might actually make some sort of profit. You know, kind of the reason we are in business. Not to be your personal private jet from A to B, but to make some money, grow & expand as a company &, at the end of the day, keep all employees in their job.
In this economy, with airlines going bust every other week & the rest making redundancies just to stay in business, how people can have such a poor attitude is beyond me.
On a brighter note.. Heather, your post is excellent, it gave me a good laugh. Had a number 7 on my flight yesterday!!
frank96 Jun 6th 2009 4:43PM
Natalie said:
Had a number 7 on my flight yesterday!!
===============================================
Great post, Natalie. LOL, those number "7" passengers are so obvious. They LOOK so guilty to begin with and then when approached and asked for their boarding pass, it's like "deer eyes" in headlights.
Cassie Jun 7th 2009 1:17PM
I just had this happen to me!
Two guys (we will call them John and Bill) going to Las Vegas sitting in first class asked me if there was anything I could do about their grumpy friend (lets call him, Andy) stuck all the way in the back of the airplane in coach. I replied "We still have about 15 minuets before I need to close the door and have everyone in their final seats, so if he would like to step off the aircraft and speak to a gate agent and pay for the upgrade, now would be a great time".
They asked if I could go back and find him, and give him that information. I had a million things left to do before I could close the door, and saw that the aisle was clear heading to the back of the airplane. I told them "I really can't go back there at this time, but you are more than welcome to head back there and tell him yourself".
I went back to my final checks, greeting passengers,making sure everyone in first class had a place to put their bags and finished the pre-departure beverages.
John came back with Andy and told him to sit down next to him. It was perfect timing because just as he sat down the gate agent came on. I told her about the situation and she boldly said "Oh, the same guy who didn't want to pay for it earlier, before the flight? Did they get him to change his mind?" I then turned to both men and asked them to pay for the upgrade. John loudly shouted "You never told me I had to pay!"
I smiled at the gate agent and then at John. "John, I told you that he would need to speak to a gate agent and pay for the upgrade. We cannot move anyone up to first class for free. That is the company policy". He reluctantly handed over his credit card, because he knew full well Andy wasn't going to pay for it.
The gate agent took his information and we closed the door.
During the flight the guys tried to bring a girl up to first class. I informed her that she would need to take her original seat in coach and that she could not be up there. John shouted at me "So your telling me in order for her to sit up here I need to pay for her upgrade as well"?
I replied "Yes, John, you are exactly correct".
He then tried to say things like "Who is going to know?" or "I wont tell on you" and "Come on Cassie, your a nice flight attendant, please"?
The reailty is, I never know who in on my aircraft. We have ghost riders all the time that come from inflight, from policies and procedures, or even supervisors. There are always people who work for the airline that fly to visit families that do not always wear their uniform and never let you know they are employees. But there is always someone watching. The company does not like us to upgrade anyone, not even our own employees, for free!
What would happen if I had decided to move Andy and that girl up for free and six employees in the back who had wanted to upgrade to first class, who simply couldn't afford it were stuck back in coach watching this. What if they were having a really bad day? Why wouldn't they write me up? All I need is one little write up over one simple rule that I am supposed to follow and I could lose my job!
I would love to be more accomodating. I understand that these two guys wanted their buddy up in first class with them and they wanted to hang out with the cute girl. That is great, I really wish I could help. But the fact is, I dont want to lose my job. The airline is constantly on our backs to enforce the rules and to go by the procedures. Just because I feel like being super accomodating one day could mean I am out of a job the next.
I would never go into your place of work and ask you to bend over backwards for me when it means you could lose your job. So please, please, I know you expect me to be nice and bend over backwards for you, but it means that I could lose my job. And once someone gets in trouble for one thing, it creates a snow ball effect and the rules become a lot tougher. So in the long run, your only shooting yourselves in the foot over one simple seat in first class.
If you want it that bad, save up for it, enjoy it, but do it the right way. Please.
CM Jun 7th 2009 2:19PM
Airline rules are very complex when it comes to upgrades, airlines have the dueling goals of protecting the integrity of the premium cabin so that people would actually be willing to pay to sit there rather than know they'll get a free upgrade for saying please and keeping their so-called "best customers" happy.
Flight attendants simply are not armed with enough information to determine who should be upgraded, this is why they are forbidden to do so. Airlines have strict rules dictating not only upgrade lists but who should be upgraded for free should the need arise. Some frequent travelers are incredibly savvy and know these rules better than many airline employees. The flight attendant also doesn't know if the empty premium seats are empty because no one was willing to pay for an upgrade or because the gate agent was too rushed to get the flight off on time they ignored the 20 person upgrade list (this happens more than one might think).
If Mr. Executive Platinum who spends $30,000 with the airline a year and was #1 on the upgrade list sees a flight attendant take Mr. Handsome from 27G to first class, they very well might complain to the airline and the flight attendant would need to explain themselves and potentially get into trouble.
WN737_FlyGirl Jun 10th 2009 5:28PM
Your post has made me glad we only have 'single service' cabins!
LDinCT Jun 14th 2009 2:05PM
I've occasionally been upgraded at the gate and even a few times negotiated an upgrade. When they are (desperately) asking for people to give up seats for a flight that's oversold, the very few times I can make a change, I'll ask. I've even offered to forego the free ticket to get upgraded to 1st class ir business class on long east coast to west coast flights. If they have it available, they do it. If they don't, I get a free ticket. I fly enough to be reasonable and know that they'll do what they can.
One time I turned it down. A gate agent was incredibly rude to me, even yelling at me over something he misunderstood. I travel quite a bit and normally, I'm unphased but I got on the plane crying. The flight attendant grabbed me, got me in the rest room, asked what was wrong, got the pilot, he went out to the gate agent and they came back offering me first class and an apology. I told them I didn't want it, the apology was all I wanted. I felt foolish afterward but was appreciative that the flight attendant and pilot were concerned.
M Manifold Jul 1st 2009 2:25PM
I'm writing as a passenger. I've been upgraded to first class two or three times in the past 5 years - but never because I've asked. (I've never been cheeky enough to ask). Oddly though, the few times I've had that privilege, I've not been able to truly enjoy the experience. On every occasion it occurred during a leg of travel during which I was utterly exhausted and could not stay awake beyond the offer of champaign. Oh well. . . I travel internationally two or three times a year - maybe I'll get lucky someday :-)
M.O Jul 9th 2009 10:23AM
i was just wondering...... a couple years back this lady caught a flight in first but her kid had to fly coach in the seat next to mine. she asked if i would trade w/ her and of course me and my parents agreed. i was in like third grade then so i really don't remember that well.... but is that a bad thing????
(p.s i'm like not even 12 so that is why this sounds like a silly question!!!!!!)
(p.p.s luv your blog!!!!!!)