Official TRF frequent flier complaint thread.

[Abdullah71601]

Originally Posted by superdog

I hate to fly. And I didn’t fly too often.

So it was worth it to me to pay for first/business. But lately I’m flying a lot more. And there appears to be a lot in my future. Good problems I suppose.

But all the points you make ring true. And f yes....when I’m paying good money I do expect better, easier, more comfortable accommodations. And it’s not always possible based on everyone feeling they deserve something, for nothing.

Except everyone paid to be there. They all feel they deserve something for their money. The fact that you paid more than them doesn't alleviate the expectation they have to get some value out of their purchase.

I've had screaming kids in first class, a guy in row 1 who thought he can take 10 fricking minutes blocking the aisle to get his "space" just the way he wants it, and self absorbed business dude dictating loudly into a tape recorder for an hour. It doesn't matter how much a seat costs, you will always be able to find some self entitled idiot sitting in the one next to you.

[superdog]

Originally Posted by Abdullah71601

Except everyone paid to be there. They all feel they deserve something for their money. The fact that you paid more than them doesn't alleviate the expectation they have to get some value out of their purchase.

I've had screaming kids in first class, a guy in row 1 who thought he can take 10 fricking minutes blocking the aisle to get his "space" just the way he wants it, and self absorbed business dude dictating loudly into a tape recorder for an hour. It doesn't matter how much a seat costs, you will always be able to find some self entitled idiot sitting in the one next to you.

I don’t disagree with any of that.

Except I’m sure you know what I meant. Funny thing for me, if someone pays for first class, or gets it via status, I’m genuinely okay with them acting like an ass. I don’t like it. I wouldn’t do it. But somehow, in some way, they’ve earned it. I’m not one to judge. I’ve got my own issues.

And I do realize coach folks also pay for their flights. I know they too deserve to be treated well and get what they paid for. But when you buy for the lowest cost seat you can find, you get what you pay for. I’m quite certain I don’t expect a whole heck of a lot when I fly coach. But after a few terrible experiences I decided it was worth the extra money to upgrade. I too want what I’m paying for.

[Abdullah71601]

Originally Posted by superdog

I don’t disagree with any of that.

Except I’m sure you know what I meant. Funny thing for me, if someone pays for first class, or gets it via status, I’m genuinely okay with them acting like an ass. I don’t like it. I wouldn’t do it. But somehow, in some way, they’ve earned it. I’m not one to judge. I’ve got my own issues.

And I do realize coach folks also pay for their flights. I know they too deserve to be treated well and get what they paid for. But when you buy for the lowest cost seat you can find, you get what you pay for. I’m quite certain I don’t expect a whole heck of a lot when I fly coach. But after a few terrible experiences I decided it was worth the extra money to upgrade. I too want what I’m paying for.

When I was a defense contractor I flew international every week and always had to fly coach. If I upgraded, my ticket wouldn't be reimbursed. It needed to say economy on it to get past the government audits. The only way around that was a free upgrade, but you can't plan a must go now business trip around the fickle upgrade policies of an airline.

You haven't lived until you've been wedged in with 200 laborers just off some middle east jobsite, on their way home to some distant third world village for annual leave. The experience will not only humble you, but also show you how good you have it with the customary knotheads that people on this thread are whining about.

As there are no written rules for how a passenger in each class must behave, and the airlines don't exercise any control or discipline in the boarding process, people who've paid for their seat can reasonably be expected to behave as they do at home. It's not their fault, it's a flucked up airline's fault.

My pet peeve is business travelers, flying on some company's nickel, being condescending and inconsiderate when I'm paying full fair first class on vacation. I'd like to slap them across the snout with a rolled up newspaper sometimes.

[joeychitwood]

I frequently fly Coach, because I hate the realization upon landing that I paid a lot of extra money for First Class only to arrive at my destination at exactly the same time as everyone else on the plane. The difference in amenities between Coach and First class on my last trip to Reagan National was a slightly larger seat. That's all. It's just not worth it to me, though I understand it probably is to weekly fliers.

[BBL]

Different complaint for these passengers:
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/789365...n-novosibirsk/

[austinp]

Sitting next to tank top and flip flop guy.

[vman]

Originally Posted by Abdullah71601

My pet peeve is business travelers, flying on some company's nickel, being condescending and inconsiderate when I'm paying full fair first class on vacation. I'd like to slap them across the snout with a rolled up newspaper sometimes.

Businesses are constantly reducing travel budgets. In many companies you have to be at a certain level (e.g., director or above) and have a specific flight configuration (e.g., more than 6 hours or cross-continental) to get a business class fare. Most road warriors you see are folks who either got a free upgrade or upgraded with their own $. In my years of travel I have yet to see a road warrior who loves to fly. By the time you reach the level of the corp ladder where you can travel business or first all the time, you've had so much air time that your body has a severe allergic reaction to anything airport related.

Those of us who fly often get fed up with simple common indiscretions that add up to a lot of stress.