Do-good passenger slams elite seatmate in open letter

minneapolis airport“I’m sorry your Silver Elite status on Northwest Airlines didn’t qualify you for a first-class upgrade on your recent flight from New York to Minneapolis,” Kevin Winge quips. “All of us, your fellow passengers, shared in the incredulity you expressed so vocally to the gate agent when informed that you would be flying coach.”

Winge is the executive director of Open Arms of Minnesota, a nonprofit organization that provides nutritious meals to people living with diseases, so he knows a thing or two about entitlement. And I think he’s succeeded in writing an open letter that could apply to every annoying airline passenger we’ve ever shared a plane with.

Your expletive-laden denouncement of the airlines, while unsettling to many of those standing near to you, was an opinion that you obviously deemed necessary to share with all within earshot. It is shocking that the airlines would let a little thing like a mechanical problem with the plane interfere with your very important schedule. Trust me, we all heard you when you said how (expletive omitted) upset you were.

Winge picks apart the “entitlement” culture of elite travelers with relish.

While being a requirement for all of us, your fellow passengers, I understand that the size of carry-on luggage is only a suggestion for you. No, I can’t believe the “gall” of the flight attendant who told you that your suitcase would need to be tagged and put in the cargo hold because it was too large to fit in the overhead compartment or underneath the seat in front of you.

Here’s the full story, which was first published in yesterday’s Minneapolis Star-Tribune.

I’ve been thinking about elites and their curious ways since watching this short student film about frequent fliers who make mileage runs.

If you don’t have half an hour or so to watch this, I’ll hit the highlights: This is a short documentary that centers around the people who make trips for no other reason than to rack up more award miles and earn elite status. Some members of this all-male club are well-behaved on their flights, to be sure. But some demand to be treated as … well, elites. My colleague Janice Hough might call them members of the entitlement class.

I wonder if passengers like the one Winge was writing about know they’re being difficult? I wonder if they’re aware that they’re making air travel so unbearable for everyone else?

(Thanks to reader Harriet Phillips for tipping me off to this story.)

(Photo: Brewbooks/Flickr Creative Commons)

  • Toni

    I am far more bothered by the once-a-year pax who expect better treatment, and demand more assitance, than the elites get.

  • Michelle

    “I wonder if they know they’re being this way? I wonder if they’re aware that they’re making air travel so unbearable for everyone else?” More importantly, do they care. My guess is…no.

  • Barry Frangipane

    Elite travelers do not bother me. In fact, they all have something to teach us – how not to be. When someone”s priorities are messed up, they are reminding us to keep our priorities in order. And they provide some comedy relief on long flights. I once heard someone say to a complaining passenger, “My parents died yesterday. Will any of your complaining bring them back?” Perspective is a beautiful thing.

  • Gary

    Wow.. what an outpouring of dislike for “elite” passengers. I have Platinum status with Delta/NWA, and I “earned” that status by flying ten’s of thousands of miles and upwards of 100 segments a year on company business. I won’t deny that there are others in this “club” that make life miserable for all (me included), but why such animosity toward the group as a whole? Don’t forget that my fare is probably twice as much or more than your fare, and my company is subsidizing that lower fare because I can’t plan my trips months in advance. And I will bet, based on my non-scientific study, that most of the passenger’s hauling that over-sized bag on board are once-a-year travelers who choose to attempt to avoid the checked baggage fees….

    Oh yeah, and that woman last week at BWI that couldn’t understand why her 12 oz. bottle of moisturizer couldn’t go past security and argued vehemently that the rule was “3.5 ounces or MORE”, the whole time holding up the line for everyone. Guess we should be thankful for the frequent fliers (who aren’t like that guy in the letter) who understand the rules and keep the lines moving…..

  • Sarah

    Regardless of how often anyone on a flight flies, whether it’s once a year or once a week, we’re all on the plane together and should make the best of it. We all have places that we are trying to get as quickly as possible and I think most of us are just trying to make it as enjoyable an experience as possible. Respect is the name of the game, especially when we have so little personal space involved.

    You would think elite flyers would understand better than anyone that kindness and patience gets you further faster than being rude.

  • Carver

    Full disclosure: I haven’t seen the video yet. But I strongly suspect that its fundamental premise is flawed. The reality of life is that there are jerks among all groups of people. People who believe that they are fundamentally better than others and will seek out whatever opportunity they can to prove their own superiority. People flaunt their money, looks, education, vocabulary, etc. Frequent flier status is just one more thing to flaunt.

    I know that some people don’t understand the concept of a mileage run. Its very simple. Will the rewards in taking an unncessary trip be greater than the cost in terms of time and money of that trip.

    It simply good business to try to maximize the return on the investment of your travel time and dollars. Very straightforward.

  • Peter

    I’m a member of that elite group, as are my wife and kids. I don’t think you could be further off the mark singling out the people in that video as the DYKWIA types. Far from it, these are a group of some of the best flyers in the sky.

    No one’s saying those jerks don’t exist in the elite ranks, but they aren’t too common in the mileage run ranks.

  • http://cestbeth.com Beth

    I, too, am a frequent flyer and this generalization/stereotyping bothers me. I choose to not use the terminology elite, because I am not elite, I just fly frequently and spend a lot of my hard-earned money on air transportation. I also am a travel manager for two small businesses and because of that and my frequent flying experience, I am very knowledgeable about today’s air travel. I only carry on what will fit under my seat, my toiletries are all sized correctly in my one-quart baggie, I don’t recline my seat into anyone’s knees, I don’t use anyone’s seat back as a place to lean my body or to pull myself up from my own seat., I stay within my seat space and don’t take over my seatmate’s armrest, and I say please/excuse me/thank you to everyone who assists me along the way. I think I am exactly the opposite of what is described above and anyone who ends up traveling near me would be happy to have me as their seatmate!

  • Brian

    The funny thing about these extra special people, as pointed out above is, they are not PAYING to fly and thus earn these miles. Their COMPANY is. So how about a little humble pie here? If you had to fork over to fly everywhere like the rest of us, you would be a regular status customer sitting in the back. So quit your bitching and moaning about not being upgraded or what have you. Your company should keep the miles and use them to send other employees on trips. If it’s so awful, quit your job. Nobody made you take a job that requires you to fly all the time. You people are so annoying.

  • Joel

    @Peter hits the nail on the head: I have “status” on my preferred airline, and I don’t act like a jerk. I’m polite, respectful and I appreciate the level of service I receive because I fly often on the airline. There are jerks in every group of people, and sometimes someone is just having a bad day. Should he have taken it out on everyone around him? Of course not, but some people don’t know how not to cross that line.

    Tarring all elite frequent fliers with the same brush is disingenuous. I’ve seen bad behavior from all echelons of travelers — Joe Six-Pack coming home from Vegas and stuck-up rich bitch going to Paris. But overwhelmingly it’s good behavior and respect that wins out.

  • http://cestbeth.com Beth

    @Brian No stereotyping, please. I am a 13-year frequent flyer. Want to know why? Because my boyfriend of 13 years lives in in the New York City metro area and I live in Southwest Virginia near the Tennessee border, 610 miles away. He and I have been forking over our own airfares for 13 years now. In those 13 years, we have earned frequent flyer status on US Airways and Delta, all out our own pockets. Business owners also pay for their own airfare as well, so please don’t assume that all frequent flyers are flying on the company dime.

  • Van

    @Brian….Dude! I own my company. I pay for myself and others to fly around. It comes RIGHT out of my pocket…and our company spends more than most people make in a year getting myself and our people where they need to go.

    Wanna guess how much “butt in seat time” and money are required for me, alone, to maintain Platinum on Continental Airlines, Gold on Delta and Silver on US Airways…and darned near Silver on Icelandair? HINT: Lots.

    And frankly, I don’t care about the money HALF as much as I care about the time. You can have all the money, if it’s okay with you, while we’re “annoying you,” can I stay home?

    Or better yet, since I’m gone from home all the time, is it okay if I get a little love from the airlines I fork over a small ransom to for some TLC? From my own pocket?

    Thanks!

  • Brian

    I don’t know of a single business flyer who is paying for their own ticket, but rather the corporation they work for. I work for a major health insurance company and you can bet when I or any of my co-workers fly, it’s on a business AMEX billed and payed for by the company. Ok, so maybe 1% are self employed paying their way (but who write it off during tax time), but the rest are all working for companies who pay their travel expenses.

  • http://aol barbie45

    Ido not understand the point of his letter; or the necessity of having a newspaper having to editorialize the message; there are passengers in all classes who exhibit this behavior; basically he is ceo of a charity; many ceo of charity bring home a darn good paycheck;example Red Cross; I always pay more on airtran for an aisle seat; or extra if I have some extramoney and want to upgrade to their next level of service; I WOULD BE DARN FURIOUS if I WERE DENIED AN AISLE SEAT BECAUSE I PAID FOR IT.or if I was elite and denied first class; We do not live in a classless society and never will;

  • Ian

    Making broad generalizations about groups of people is always the way to go. Saves so much time and effort coming to a meaningful conclusion about individual people, doesn’t it?

    I’m Silver on USAirways. I’ve earned my status over the years by living in Dallas and having family close to PHL and CLT, USAirways’ hubs. I enjoy having the security blanket of preferred status, ensuring that when there are problems, they’re usually resolved promptly and efficiently. This is a key reason I stick all my money onto one airline.

    I keep in shape and am thin, never steal an armrest, don’t fly sick, hope for my upgrade, but smartly book exit rows/bulkheads when I can. I know things can go wrong, which is why I try and avoid booking the last flight of the day, or at least research my options in case something does go wrong. I know which of my belts set off the metal detector and which don’t. I know 3.5 oz means just that. I know that being nice goes a lot further than being a pompous, entitled jerk.

    However, it seems to most of you that I embody all that is jerkness merely because I fly a lot. Sorry about that.

    Feel free to ante up and earn the status you so revile. The grass is definitely greener over here.

  • Charline

    @Beth – I too have a long distance relationship (Me in CA and him in PA) and have elite status because we spend our hard earned money flying cross country to see each other. So I’m sorry that some people think that “extra special people” always get their flights paid for by their companies and really don’t spend anything. NOT TRUE.

    I think people who have elite status as a whole are respectful and understand the travel do’s and don’ts. There are going to be bad travelers in every group: from the once-a-year flyers who hold up the line at the security checkpoint ’cause they have a full water bottle and their laptop in their suitcase to the “elite” flyers who do feel entitled to everything. Maybe we should just lump people by travel behavior, not by travel status/experience.

    Also, with airlines starting to sell “elite” perks (i.e United) for revenue, that passenger you thought was a greedy “elite” could have well just paid for it and really wasn’t an elite flyer who travels frequently and earned that status…

  • http://www.ffocus.org Bruce InCharlotte

    I have Gold status on CO and UA. As we move into next year, it’s looking like I’ll only have Silver on CO. Does the company pay for my travel? Yes. Does it matter that they do or that I do? No, and why should it. The company is sending me away from my home and my family, these few perks are a “thank you” because my workday is all day, not just 9 to 5. Am I complaining? Nope. If I wanted a boring desk job, I’d get one.

    Sure, this guy is a jerk. Anyone who’s ever earned status on a carrier knows Silver is just the opening salvo. It takes a lot more than that to earn upgrades these days. I know Platinums that don’t get upgrades, especially on busy segments and on busy days!

    Airlines should be treating their most profitable customers just a little bit better. That’s what ELITE means. If Costco treats me better than Sam’s Club, why would I shop at Sam’s Club? Isn’t this the same “loyalty” program Ford offers to existing customers? Carriers know that we can take our discretionary travel to anyone. So they try to make themselves the better choice with Elite benefits, like priority boarding, upgrades, faster security lines, etc. What Mr. Silver doesn’t understand is that these are not entitlements. They are gifts.

    As far as his suitcase not fitting… how have you made it to Silver and not understood the basic physics of suitcase size compared to overhead size? What exactly would you like the FA to do with it when it doesn’t fit??

  • Van

    @Brian…it’s well over 1%. I don’t remember the numbers, but “small and middle sized business in America” are a significant piece of the economy. Just last week, the President was imploring banks to start helping small businesses secure financiing. And in fact, there was a piece today on Yahoo! Finance about the fact that middle sized, small and real estate oriented business are major engines in our economy that are choked. Further, from my vantage point, it’s absolutely not the “money” anyway…money is an infinite commodity…we can all make more money. Time, on the other hand…is finite…and no one I know can “make” more time.

    But that’s not the point…the point is, there are certainly “jerks” who are “entitlement oriented,” and we’ve all seen them, who think that because they flew 100 segments, they are somehow entitled to the seat in First Class. And the first guy that would be ready to stand up against a person like that would be me…you are entitled to what you paid for.

    Now…”involuntary denied boarding” for someone who spend a lot of time and money, I don’t care WHO’S money, is something I too would be upset as a VFF, Very Frequent Flyer.

    I suppose, Brian, while you’re amazed at us “annoying” frequent flyer types…I might be just as amazed that good people like yourself believe the travelers out there are 99% populated from the ranks of Corporate America. :)

    That’s not the case.

    Oh…one other quick nibble…I’d take the cash in my pocket 10,000 out of 10,000 times over the tax write off….tax write offs? HIGHLY over-rated. For what it’s worth.

  • Peter CL

    I just logged in over 100k miles for the year and have seen my share of annoying/amazing passengers. I tried to keep a diary with hopes of creating a blog but it was too much. I’ve found basically two groups of unfortunate travelers; frequent fliers who feel entitled and casual fliers who have incorrect expectations. One short story of each;

    Frequent flier upset he didn’t get an upgrade. He refused to sit down in a coach seat until a first class seat was made available. After a 30min delay I finally realized what was happening and offered up my first class seat (paid for) to the attendants so we could take off. The passenger actually thanked me. Crazy. It was a 45min flight.

    Casual fliers heading from MSP to MKE. There were couple of canceled flights that day as the airport was down to one runway. A large group of people were yelling at the gate attendant, wanted to start a petition, saying Delta is the worst airline ever, etc. I tried to explain the airport was down to one runway but it came to no avail.

    My point is that everyone has the potential to be a jerk-store.

  • Peter

    Let’s also not forget lots of “elite” passengers earned their status through the mere posession of an Amex Centurion card or some such and may have little to no actual flying experience.

    The tax writeoff argument is bunk. Sorry. $1 written off is $1 spent that you don’t pay tax on. You still spent the $1.

  • Karen Brown

    In my experience, it is the not-as-frequent passengers that don’t know the rules, nor the etiquette of flying. The ‘silver’ elite passenger who didn’t get his upgrade and threw a tantrum is a great example. I fly enough that I know that if there’s a spot for me, I’ll get the upgrade, if not, I’ve planned ahead and gotten the best seat my fare will allow.
    But the novice dying for drama – something to share with EVERYONE about his air-warrior status is my worst nightmare. “I won’t fly through Philadelphia because ‘they’ destroyed my luggage!” (all of PHL did? really?) I’m ALWAYS delayed when I fly through PHL (both times you flew last year, your flight was delayed a half an hour? You don’t say?)

    On the other hand, I’ve flown a number of times with Platinum elites sitting next to me in coach, crammed in just like the rest of us. Their attitude is much more “another day, another flight”. They know that their computer bag will fit under the seat in front of them and that the flight attendant is not there to warm their food they brought from home. Give me an elite any day – I’d much rather hear their travel tales than the just-flown-enough-to-be-obnoxious any day.

  • Noah

    the author if this letter is himself an “entitlement passenger.” Things didn’t go exactly how he wanted them to on the flight (another customer was–shock!–rude and obnoxious), so he wrote a sarcastic letter to the editor at his local newspaper.

    Plus, half of his complaints are things that passengers of all “classes” do wrong (e.g., bring bags on board that are too big).

  • Jennifer (the other one)

    Percentage-wise, I see far more entitlement and poor behavior from inexperienced or just plain inept travelers (especially parents) who think the world should revolve their poor decision-making and planning abilities. Of course, we’ve had plenty of columns about that already.

  • Carver

    @Brian

    Please add me to the list of so-called elites that travel 100 percent on their own dime. I own my own small law firm and I have clients all over California and I regularly fly to see them. I don’t use a travel agent. I book my own travel with my own credit cards.

  • scott L

    I fly 6-12 times a year. I have a disability where I need a aisle seat. I have learned to take care of my issues (seat assignment) before I get to the Airport.

    I have also used alot of the resources on this website to get assistance before and after flights when things go wrong. Like going up the food chain at airlines works. Chris offers loads of great information here

  • http://aol barbie45

    Chris; I still do not like the title do gooder referring to the author of letter; most charaties are managed by professional find raisers; its a job simple as that for which many receive compensation; every year we are warned check out the status of how much of each dollar goes to the person in need; you may be shocked to learn very little; We have know idea how is charity is run or what percentage of the dollar goes to feed the sick ill; for all we know maybe he is nothing but a professional being paid a salary; until Iknow the facts Iwould not let his title assume he is a do gooder

  • http://flightwise.com.au Les Posen

    My partner and I are UA Gold having flown 75K self-funded on United Airlines so far this year, and we live in Australia, where UA flies from and to, but not within. (Most Americans won’t do this many US-Aus trips in a lifetime). So each fare purchase is a big ticket item. And yes, we expect preferential treatment for the loyalty we offer UA given it’s competing with four other airlines to the US, and it’s using the least comfortable and most poorly equipped aircraft. So we want our preferred seating, extra weight allowance, preferred check-in counters, and seating in economy plus, not to mention preferred wait listing for upgrades.

    One thing we’ve learnt though is to be mindful of queueing in Elite checkin lines, when general boarding lines are moving fast. Elites almost always take much longer per transaction, whether it’s because they’ve got more complicated travel plans or they’re asserting their expectations for an upgrade or better seating in general. UA’s ratio of elite to general boarding checkin staff means the elite learning can be a slower one. But there is one over-riding factor for our travelling pleasure: ALWAYS smile and be nice to all the crew even if it’s not reciprocated directly. It costs nothing, and we never take it personally when we’re rebuffed. In the long haul, it has paid off more than not for securing our elite privileges.

  • Scott

    You guys arguing back and forth are missing the point.

    Jerks can be found among any status level.
    No one qualifies for Elite status with a credit card.
    The vast majority of Elite passengers do not pay for their own tickets, but that does not mean that those of you who do need to get offended. There are exceptions to every rule, but generalizations usually exist for a reason. No need to argue about it.
    Barbie would be furious if she was an elite and denied first class? I hope you never fly through my airport. If you want a first class seat, BUY IT. Otherwise you have no right to complain.
    MOST Elite passengers are just fine. The problem is that as a whole, when they complain about B.S. they are the most obnoxious. There is a HUGE sense of entitlement with the problem ones. They make it bad on the rest of you (if you haven’t figured that out yet). Forget the poor other passengers that have to deal with this guy once in a blue moon. What about the people that have to deal with him (or the rest) every single day? What would your workday be like if one of your clients who didn’t get exactly what he wanted came into your office, yelled at you, slammed his hand down on your desk, etc? It is absolutely insane that people act like this. And when it *is* an Elite passenger, well they are the ones who should know the BEST how things work.
    Furthermore, the quotes in this article are right on the money. Any of you that are trying to bash the author are probably yourselves some of the biggest problems, always trying to find someone else to blame.

    Good luck to the rest of you…

  • Jay

    OMG. I’ve only flown twice in the U.S. the last 2 years while living in China. Reading all these posts makes me yearn to go back so I can get away from flying in China. NO boarding by any type of elite OR rows. Seatings announced, and we’re off! Every man, woman ,and child is on their own!Limit’s on carry-on?? Sure, checked baggage is free so no large bags. BUT, traveling Chinese LOVE to shop. Ever seen someone carry four shopping bags filled with boxes on the plane? I have! Seat slammed on your knees? Usually happens BEFORE the flight even gets in the air. Ever seen someone get up to get their carry-on from the overhead, JUST after the plane has touched down and going over 100 MPH? Ever seen what happens when a plane full of people all try to head for the exit as soon as the door is open for disembarking? After a while you just have to sit back and say to yourself, “At least I got a meal. BTW, what was that I ate in that bun??”

  • http://aol barbie45

    Scott; I never implied that I would not pay first class; and if it is your job to aid unhappy passengers take it or leave it; I would rather sit next to a disgrunled elite passenger than some mother with a screaming kid; or some obese person taking my space away; and just because this author is a so called do gooder does not give him the right to generalize so much; for all I Iknow his charity could be a fraud.

  • Chicky

    Most passengers are just fine, in general. It only takes one or two obnoxious ones to make the whole flight a miserable one.
    I doubt I’ll ever have Elite status, so generally, I never even seen these people — only their silhouettes as they ruffle the curtain to the first-class bathrooms while those of us in the cattle car look on. But they have the money to fly Elite. I don’t.
    I’ve had mostly very nice people sitting beside me when I fly. I have seen instances of bad behavior that stagger the imagination and made me wish the FA could strap the person on the wing for the remainder of the flight.
    Makes me wish the airlines could save the last three rows of a plane as a “jail” for passengers behaving badly. They would have to move out of their other seats, go to the back of the plane and raise their hands to go to the bathroom just like first-graders. Wishful thinking.

  • Greg N.

    I am lifetime elite status on American, and I always feel self conscious using the Priority boarding lane. I was raised to “wait your turn” and these lanes go against my upbringing. Of course, I use them, so maybe I am one of “those” kind of elites! I sure hope not.

    I know travel is a hassle for everyone, but I have found a kind word to the flight attendant or fellow passenger, or giving a hand to someone with a heavy carryon, or offering to hold a drink while a mother calms her crying infant (yes, I have sat next to several and no, they do not bother me) goes a LONG way to making my flight more comfortable. Some of you should try it sometime. Life really IS too short!

  • Carver Farrow

    In defense of my “elite” brethren. In any business situation, regular patrons expect to be treated better than someone who literally stumbles in, spends a little money, and never returns. If not, then why be a regular patron?

    Yes, among some travelers there is a HUGE sense of entitlement that is very unfortunate. I was recently at the Hertz Gold counter being assisted by the very nice ladies there, when a man cut in front of me and demanded immediate service because his name wasn’t on the Marquee. Rude little twerp.

    However, what rankles most frequent fliers (I hate the word elite) is when the airline reneges on its promises. Frequent fliers make a choice to regularly patronize certain travel providers, even when other travel providers have cheaper, more direct routes. In return, the airline promises certain preferential treatment. When the airline fails to deliver on its promises, then folks get annoyed and rightfully so.

    And yes, I think it does matter whether you are paying with your own money or the company’s.

  • KF

    Barbie45 – if you’re concerned about a charity there are several websites you can check for their financial statements (which they have to provide as non-profits) – which detail salaries, how much is spent fundraising and how much actually goes towards services. Open Arms is pretty efficient.

    I used to be a frequent flier between work and living on the other side of the country from my family. First and business class are nice, but I think most road warriors would give it up if they didn’t have to travel and spend time away.

  • Van

    @ Scott…you are not correct on the “no one qualifies for Elite Status with a credit card.” If you have a Black American Express Card, you’re “Elite” on just about everyone. I can promise you that, first hand.

    You START at Gold on Continental, Platinum on US and Gold on Delta….as just a short list. You can, of course, build higher.

    I do agree however, “if you want a First Class seat, BUY IT. Spot on and I agree.

  • http://aol barbie45

    Carver; why were the two ladies on the counter just helping you; I do not know what a Marque status is ; but I assume a big spender with the company; it is difficult for me to ascertain why he was so upset; If he were ntititled to preferential treatment he should have been receiving it. There is nothing wrong with elite; it means your a good customerand the airline hopefully appreiates it; An Elite or Marque or whatever is entitled to be treated in a prefential manner over those who just fly occasianally;We so not live in a classless society;and there has never been nor ever willbe a classless society. thank goodness.

  • http://aol barbie45

    KC; yes i do know about that information being public information;however it does not give him the right to generalize about elite passengers period; and using his title means zilch to me; I am not an elite ;but I feel they the are entitled to whatever benefit they can get;and preferential treatment. Just using his so called title turns me off on his charity period.

  • http://aol barbie45

    Greg ; please do not fly AIR FRANCE; every one just boards at once ; no such things as lines; but boy do they serve fantastic food ; and DE Galle airport is one of the most friendly around; I wanted a cigarrette so badly, and one of the emplyees told me to use the ladies room; Iwas so grateful; also do not cruise on a a Costa ship which is a EUROPEAN VERSION OF Carnival; no one lines up people cut right and left and hold up chairs; did no bother me; as long as Igot what Iwanted.

  • Cindy

    I started to read the above responses but admittedly stopped about a quarter of the way down..I am not an elite passenger although I do fly at least 10 times a year and my view on all of this is elite or not elite, manners and common sense have to play a role.. I don’t care if you are sitting in the front or the back of the plane!
    And sorry elite people out there, this is not to say that all of you are behaving badly but if you are one of them that are behaving badly then you are no better than those that you complain about.
    Each of us, no matter the status can and should show common sense and think before we talk or demand anything rudely..
    Manners are something that each of us should know and have when dealing with any circumstance or person…
    I pay my own way and sit in the small seats, I roll with the punches and when I do get to my destination rather than being cranky and whiny I am one happy camper..
    Oh and by the way.. I also help that elderly person lift their bag into the overhead bin..

  • Liz Zollner

    I’d like the airlines to know that, as a result of constantly mistreating casual fliers by calling us “self-loading baggage” and treating us as such, we have decided to severely limit our flying. Every 18 months or so, we may fly to an exotic vacation destination. Other than that, we drive everythwere in the US and Canada that we want to go. We have more time than money, and that’s how we choose to spend it: NOT being treated like annoying trash by the airlines.

    We used to fly several times a year, including to many domestic destinations. We could still afford to, but we won’t. We won’t pay to be abused. We encourage other people who have the time to travel by car and rail to quit flying. Maybe the airlines won’t care, but they can’t mistreat you if you stay away from them.

  • http://aol barbie45

    Cindy; it is wonderful that you are the model passenger; gee most people are but they do not brag about it; who really cares.

  • Dori

    I fly a fair amount, always on my on dime, have elite status with different airlines but usually not enough to get more than a free checked bag. I usually try to be nice and hope for the best and plan for the worst and I love Chicky’s idea of a back of the plane jail. The lessor offendors could be the buffer row with the rest of the plane. Oh wait, who decides whats really bad behavior?

  • http://aol barbie45

    Dori be realistic not going to happen period ; flight attendants have more to do than separate good and bad passengers; whats annoying to you might not be annoying to me. If a child is constantly kicking your seat do not onfront the parent.call thFA over explain you have had back surgery or something like that; surely some good natured slob will change with you; maybe even the charity guy who is so againt elite travelers; screaming baby; you have a migraine or sever non contagious ear infection; maybe you can get moved; remember ifants are non paying passengers occasionally; if I had kids I WOULD DRUG THEM.

  • Joe Farrell

    back when the airlines did that triple miles deal – I needed 2 segments and 3000 miles – I lived in LA at the time. The flights to SFO and Seattle and Phoenix cost about $125 each way and would not give me the distance I needed. It was $79 to NY. So – one Saturday I went to the airport in the evening, red eye out, same airplane – 730am flight back to LA. Slept out, slept back – $170 later with taxes I’ve got triple miles and platinum status in TWA’s program for another year. Got back in time to meet the wife at church at 10.30a. That was back when the airplane flew a little faster than they do now. So the 730a JFK departure got me back to LA at 930a instead of 1030 like they do now.

    As for being nice yeah, it works. 2 weeks ago I flew USAir on a free ticket. I have silver status on USAir. As I walked up the gate in CT I saw a truly goregous sunrise beginning behind the counter – and I told the woman she needed to turn around and take a look. She did – it was spectacular – salmon and gold and red decorating the underside of some mid-level stratus. She was an attractive lady and I told her so – no one likes to be working the 5am shift and she smiled at the complement. I moved off to the side to wait for the elite preboard. She asked me my name – and handed me a first class boarding pass – it was a short flight – to Charlotte, and I was an elite so it was easy to do – but sometimes not asking is the best way. And honestly – I wasn’t even trying it was pretty morning and she was a very attractive woman.

  • Topher

    Over Halloween weekend, I flew Delta to Chicago from Minneapolis for a much-needed getaway. What should have been a 52-minute flight, was delayed by three and a half hours or so due to mechanical problems that required the airline to change aircraft/gates for the flight. When I got to the new gate, there was a woman behind me who complained, incessantly, about the fact that she had been bumped off the upgrade list for some reason, and as a result would be flying coach. The flight was full, everyone was cranky as a result of being delayed for so long, and this woman complained to everyone within earshot of how ridiculous it was for her to have to fly coach to Chicago. I wanted to scream, GET OVER YOURSELF LADY, IT’S A 52-MINUTE FLIGHT.

  • abass

    Small Business owners are largely forgotten. Thats why I only focus on them. I have experience several members of my family file bankruptcy due to small business failures. I also I suffered through 2 destroyed businesses due to failure however, in my failings I have learned some of the secrets to success. (Who can say they know it all?)
    What I like about small business owners is that they are not afraid to take huge risks and lay it all on the line. But, I agree they do need a lot of help with their marketing. I think having them go the social media and email route is not only the least expensive but its also the most effective. Thanks for the stats!
    onlineuniversalwork

  • Mike

    Wow,
    The critique of this video is completely flawed. Sure there are elites who act like entitled idiots, but not more than regular passengers. This is more a problem with individual flyers than with elites as a group. No where in this video was there anyone acting entitled or selfish. Sure some people decide to pursue this status as a reward in and of itself, but the majority simply get it because they fly a lot. No different from supermarket rewards cards.

  • BMG4ME

    There are plenty of obnoxious passengers that are not elite too.