[Anonymous]

[FirstClassWannabe]

On a recent flight with BA from MIA in WT, after take off two lucky passengers were upgraded to J. This was done in full view of others and could not have been more obvious. I realise people get upgraded but think it would be better if this had been done at the gate rather than waiting until we had taken off. Even if J was showing full and there were no shows, keep the prospective upgrades at the gate until the last minute and then we would be none the wiser. It left me feeling very frustrated to say the least!

I must add that once I had got over it, I thought the flight was very good and will do a review, once the Seat Plans site is back up and running.

[greyhawkgeoff]

FCW – I have seen this many times from the other end – people arriving in Club after take off, and then being cossetted and chatted up by crew especially the pilots. (the joy of a rearward facing seat!) Are they friends, family or BA staff ? – I know not but it clearly is done to get around fare rules, tax and perhaps BA employment conditions.

Equally on a recent Tampa to LGW flight which had a 4 class 777 rather than the usual 3 class plane – there is no First fare offered- the 6 upgraded pax were all BA staffers – how do I know? well I was first off out of Club at the door, but the ground staff kept us waiting a good 10 minutes to unlock some landside door, and you get to hear the chat between the captain who came back to pass the time of day with his ‘colleagues’ who were definitely not away on business. Time for a Gallic shrug of the shoulders I think, ’twas ever thus in most trades.

[MartynSinclair]

If a 4 class aircraft is being substituted in lieu of a 3 class aircraft F will generally be used by staff. I’ve been given 2 reasons for this:

1. Not sufficient crew to cover the 4 cabins
2. Unions do not allow

Passengers being moved up after t/o – its generally staff “changing seats”… They will move back before landing….

[rferguson]

The description FCW describes is a big no-no in terms of how to upgrade passengers.

These people were obviously friends/family of one of the crew. It is at the Captains discretion to upgrade passengers if s/he wishes. This should be done discreetly though. Generally the process would be to ask the friend/family to wait until last to board and then direct them to their new seat straight from the door.

Upgrading of passengers travelling on staff travel tickets is generally condoned. Those on revenue tickets should be for operational reasons only – faulty seat/IFE/service recovery etc. Flight crew will generally still upgrade revenue passengers ‘friends of friends’ and the online form meant to be completed giving the reason for upgrading is obviously seldom completed.

[FirstClassWannabe]

Thanks for clarifying rferguson. We are lucky to have you on this forum as you answer so many of our questions and always give a fair and balanced opinion.

I thought that would be the case with upgrades and it did seem odd that it was so blatantly done. A red wine helped me get over it though.

I would like to ask something regarding announcements. I think this has been mentioned before but can’ t find it. On the same flight there were the usual announcements but nobody could hear anything! What is the point in making these announcements when it must be obvious to cc that they are inaudible? They could have been telling us to prepare for an emergency but nobody would have followed the instructions. I like to hear what the captain says and like to know flight time etc. but couldn’t’ t make anything out. Really annoying. Have you worked a flight where this has happened?

[Author]

Posts