Do You Look After Crew Travelling As Pax
 

Hi guys.

Here is a question coming from one crew member to another god knows how may out there??????????????????????????????????????????????

Who looks after other airline crew that come onboard travelling on sby fully ticketed or positioning?

Is it a lost courtesy? If you look after crew, share it with the rest of us. I like to look after any crew that make themselves known to us, but.. only if they dont over do it?

Have you had any bad experiences of crew trying to suck up for an upgrade in the wrong way?

WHAT IS THE RIGHT WAY? I dont like it when we get flight deck from BA thinking they are gods who expect to be looked after!!! I bet they wouldn't do the same for me. I had an ex-Air New Zealand crew member come up to me the other day for a chat and I decided to sort her out with a drink.

I think it should be a done thing.. looking after other airline crew aswel as our own. We dont get much appreciation any way. It would be nice for it to be a known way - to look after any crew that come on, again, providing they dont over do it.

WHAT DO YOU ALL THINK?????:ok:

Actually,in the past I used to make an effort but I have stopped. Too many problems have occured because of crew or ex-crew. I have had crew get so drunk onboard that I had to ask them to be more quiet as the other pax were complaining and then they were gossiping about their airline so loudly that everybody around them could figure out that they were cabin crew. I just had a run in with an ex-BA cabin crew,who actually asked for a comment form because apparently it is our fault that his seat has too little legroom for him and that he didnt get an aisle seat!At the end of flight the loser changed his story and told our purser that his seat was broken and we just ignored it:*.Some crew are just an embarresment. I do make an effort if I know them only but that is it. In my airline (EK) we are not allowed to upgrade staff anyways,only our groundstaff has that authority. I myself have never had a seat in a premium cabin and I have been working here for 7 years....I hear LH is pretty good with upgrades.

at ba we always try and look after our own staff, we can see from the pax info list who is staff ect. but it can depend on who is incharge on the day, i have asked a csd before if we can upgrade staff and been told no.
ive also had problems with crew on staff travel before, which kind of makes you think i wont bother again!!
but it is always nice when u get upgraded to first!!

Even as a humble airframe driver I always try to look after crew. I used to work for a full service airline and whenever we had crew from either our company, or other companies, positioning in uniform I would make a point of asking the No 1 to upgrade them if we had space available: if we didn't I would always go and explain, personally, that we just didn't have the space today.
If I ever saw one of our staff, ground, aircrew, whoever , getting on board I would always get out of my seat and go and greet them, and again check on upgrade availability.
Just a courtesy.

lets see more response to this guys and girls
 

Thats wicked guys, would like more of a response. I think looking after crew should make a big return, I understand the comments made about crew getting loud and drinking but they are hopefully the unfortunate few that ruin it for the rest of us.

Spare seats either a row in y class or an upgrade is what we need to do for each other. We get given so much stick by our self loading freight, its about time when we become pax we get sorted out the way we deserve.

:ok:

I think you have to look after crew on staff travel if they introduce them self. Is not only about upgrading, sometimes, just a complimentary drink or something extra will be good, as it could be you, next time.

However, I always bring chocolate to the operating crew when flying as staff travel, going on holidays or just a short break (not if possitioning for the company, sorry;)). I think is nice, and as you have saved money on the ticket, why not spend a little on the colleagues. At the end of the day we are all on the same boat!!:O

Whilst there is nothing wrong with looking after each other, after all we are in the same boat (or plane!) however I do not agree that staff in uniform should be upgraded in full view of other passengers,it looks unprofessional to see a Business cabin full of uniformed staff. Imagine how you would feel if you had paid a lot of money to be surrounded by freebies!

If it is done before they have reached the seats in economy it shouldn't be a problem. But I also thing it looks really bad

Only a humble groundie
 

But if acknoweledged by the Crew, will ask if standby, or any discounted ticket, they look after the fare paying passengers first. Just greatful for the seat and to be getting from A-B. No upgrades, no food, but then I tend to travel short-haul if at all. The crew can always ask at the end of service 'sure we cant tempt you with the fish, it is all we have left and it will only go to waste?'

A question though, to those who position in uniform. Last time I worked passenger, this was a strict no no on my airline, unless you were type rated in your capacity with the carrying airline on the aircraft type.


Bored.

If positioning immediatly prior or after operating I may be in uniform but when commutting/travelling on stby I try to change or at least dress down with a jumper or similar.

If the operating crew offer an upgrade will quietly and gratefully accept but do the most not to abuse the privilage and only have the meals after full fare pax have picked. Stay clear of the free booze as well.

Have seen crew totally abuse the perk and had quiet words with my own crew members when they have been the offenders.

The bigger comfy seat is all one realy needs.

Thank you to all the crew/groundstaff who have looked after me in the past and hopefully in the future.

Hapzim, LHR
 

Thanks,
Hapzim, that was all we used to ask, make yourself appear non Crew, as easy as a plain jumper..............
As pax, you are not in the total loop, yet the other pax will relate to your 'commands' if in uniform. Imagine if you will, a 'four stripe' Captain barking orders, or the Purser, who will the pax follow.............Even though it will always be for the 'best reasons'.
It is all about the passenger perception. Even in civvie atire, your training will make you take charge if required.
BTW, a flag carrier I used to work for, by all accounts, had 'service crew' not safety trained on any a/c type, but in the co. uniform.............dangerous.
Uniform = respect and following in times of panic.

I think we need to look after each other personally.
Difficulty is what each individual crew member "expects" when they travel. Some of my best customers have been cabin crew on holiday but some of my worst have been cabin crew on holiday.
I have operated both charter and schedule flights and I always have done my utmost to make sure the crew on holiday/positioning have a great flight.
If not in uniform, a couple of free drinks charter, when scheduled if I could discreetly upgrade (before doors close!) then I have if appropriate.. By appropriate I mean that if paying customers are not aware/inconvenienced and the crew member is not being an a******e! about it.
I do recall one incident when the no smoking policy on board came in to effect. I had upgraded 2 staff pax, seemed pleasant enough, until one of them was caught smoking in the forward toilet - his response was that "we all do it what is the problem!", you can imagine how pleased I was.
I am more than happy just to get on board, whatever else happens is a bonus and is never expected, but I admit is fantastically received when and if it happens!!
Just think we need to respect each other really, regular customers behave like prima donnas and we form an opinion.... When one of our own does it, we generally have a similar opinion....
So, I am of to SYD on Friday, 17th Aug on BA.... Anyone I can talk to? Just kidding!!:D:D
Safe flying all:ok:

At B.a cabin crew are given a business class priority when positioning....done it loads of times,just last week did a LHR-AMS-LHR then positioned back to AMS in club(for all of 40 mins)!,had a lovely afternoon in AMS then worked the 1st flight back to LHR.....pax dont normally bat an eyelid,they just think you are a commuter!

Liking the response guys and girls
 

This is what I hoped to see, team spirit amongst crew from all airlines.

AGPUKCREW good comments, FRONTCHECK - didnt know crew position in uniform before flights dam they would be knackered, we have BA crew use our schedule routes to go home but not really to go to work, we try our best to sort out the BA lot but it is hard when they are in uniform. If your a old school crew member like myself there are always ways you learn how to slip a litl somethn.

PSR777 Right On !!!! power to the crew!! Anyone on that BA flight on the 17th sort this one out AS WE SHOULD DO. This is why I wrote this subject. I want to see crew look after crew!!!

I have read a lot of responses from BA CREW do you upgrade other airline crew too or just yourselves?

I hope this will re-generate the crew welfare on flights as pax, LETS ALL HELP EACH OTHER OUT. :ok:

Crib
 

Wow.............

When crew in uniform travel as pax, I'll do the usual offer water and move to an exit row if available. Ill always offer a crew tea or coffee to a staff member in an airline uniform, even if it is not ours! Personally, I think it looks cheap when crew in uniform (part of duty travel) have to pay for their food and drinks. I think the company should let us have a drink and a food item. Our airline is one class, but I also think it would look very low cost paxing staff in economy, especially if there is room up past the curtain.

I get slightly annoyed when crew travelling on staff travel start big noting themselves, wearing their IDs and letting everyone know they are crew. Especially when they clutter up the galley! Sometimes crew can be more demanding that full fare passengers!

Generally if I recognise the staff member I will look after them, unless of course they are like the ones I mention above!

how do you spot crew
 

so in what ways have you been presented with a crew member trying to get your attention.

what is the best way of letting the crew know that you are on board without making it look over done????????

Has anyone ever had the luck of check in sorting you out with a better seat??????????????????????????????????????:ok:

Paxing staff courtesy
 

In the early days I always identified staff pax from the pax list and extended courtesy to them. Upgrades if possible otherwise just general "extras". Cleaners, baggage handlers, it did not matter they were always acknowledged by me. Other airlines crews ditto. One principle I did not deviate from was that if any operating crew members parents were on board they were always upgraded to First class, if possible, and that happened in 98% of cases.

Toward the end of my career there were too many company spies, too many "fellow" crew members prepared to dob you in because they were not upgraded on their last flight. I know that because of my attitude my family travelled very comfortably and/or were never ignored.

Its truly unfortunate that crew members today cannot look beyond their next rostered trip.

Bring back the good old days.

Hey TropicalChief,

"Bring back the good old days."

I certainly agree with that! At United, it really would be impossible to upgrade anyone without having 'company spies' looking on. In all honesty, there aren't many empty seats to be found. In previous days at Pam Am, it was a fairly easy thing to do for fellow employees. Anyway, now I just try to extend whatever extras possible like drinks, better seats in the 'Economy Plus' section,a free snack box (on US domestic) or the hidden pillow. Also, when traveling as a passenger, it is always a nice gesture to bring along a box of chocolats or a local specialty for the working crew. We MUST look out for each other these days!

Happy & Safe Travels to All! :)

right on tropical and jetlagged
 

I like the words coming from tropical, bring back the old days of looking after each other!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:ok:

JETLAGGED I like the way your talking, maybe we could use this as the place to put the info when we are travelling, if there are any crew that are on the flights that we display maybe somethn can be done for them??????

WHAT DO YOU ALL THINK?:ok:

good karma
 

Pretty much the crew attitude at my former employer is, we gotta look after each other, cos nobody else is gonna do it. When I flew, I would always put jumpseaters in First, and if there were nonrevving FAs (or pilots, mechanics, etc) and I had room up front, I'd put them there too, for 2 reasons: the looking after each other reason, and also in case of an emergency. At least I knew I had some Able Bodied Persons to help out, and I knew where they were. Also nonrevs and their families I'd put up front - my former employer isn't known for treating its employees very well, so I think that added to the feeling of "us v them" and taking care of each other.

I didn't used to non-rev on other airlines when I was flying, because my airline happened to go pretty much where I wanted to go, but on the one occasion I did, I introduced myself as crew on another airline, and I was met with what I interpreted as indifference from the crew, but it could also have been a million and one other things, who knows. I did it mainly to let them know in case of an emergence where I was and they could count on my help, and then I worried in the back of my mind that it might look like the only reason I did it was to get an upgrade/free booze/perks/etc.

I don't introduce myself as ex-crew now when I fly, mainly for the reason I just said: I don't want the crew to think I'm doing it for upgrades or perks. I reckon I could do, but if there were an emergency I would immediately identify myself as ex-crew. I miss the camaraderie of flying, and think that looking after each other builds that feeling of family.

Crew as Pax
 

I will usually bring some chocolates for the crew if i am paxing on a flight whether standby or full revenue. I never expect an upgrade even on my own airline. An Amaerican Airlines crewmember gave chocs to the crew on one of my flights years ago and i thought it was a lovely gesture so have follwed suit ever since. Just one thing though, I would hate for the crew to think it was a sneaky way of asking for an upgrade so depending on the flight, will usually give the chocs after take off.

Will always try my best to look after crew/staff of any airline on my flights. We have a lot of cummuters heading off on or coming in from longhaul flights and its always nice to be able to make them a bit more comfortable, whether its a move to an exit row or a free breakfast..

i always treat crew as i would like to be treated.
We are low cost, so no chance of upgrades, and everything is buy on board, but even so. I will still give a bottle of crew water and when im making a cuppa for us and F/D i will make the travelling crew one aswell, its just common curtesy.
ALthough when i am travelling as a pax, i dont make it known im crew, and i think other crew should be the same there is nothing worse than a pax getting on and informing you they are or used to be crew, and "expecting" things.
:)

fuzzy
 

Fuzzy makes a good point, I think there is nothing wrong in presenting yourself to the crew with a box of chocolates and mentioning your crew. As it has been mentioned many times, no one else will look after us so why not help out each other.

Here is a question for all the big airlines - the air nz the BA AND VS how do you like to be approached. I went to LAX with VS this year . with a box a chocolates in my airline carry off bag I went up to the mid galley to say gday.

I placed my seat number on the bag with a wee note saying im crew. The crew were lovely I was moved to an exit row which was cool. Unfortunatley there was a baby behind me. AS we were taxiing I saw smoke coming from the no.2 engine and alerted a crew member. Now I dont know if it was spotting that or just that was crew, After takeoff I was upgraded to p.economy which was amazing.

Has anyone had any luck getting a better seat or treatment from check in ? I wouldnt know what to say to them coz they have a stressfull job already.

:ok:

:ok:
been paxing with I****A D*R / M*D as extra crew without knowing anybody just spoke with the capt on frequency before landing meet him at the plane
got upgraded without asking anything the service was great
FA very friendly this guys knows how to take care of other crew :D
thank's

i was just a Let 410 driver for a local operator in Africa

I totally agree about looking after other crew, as I said before, and is true than in some companies is difficult, as low cost, charter, etc, what there is always something.

What it is also true is that some crew, when you introduce your self, usually in another airline, they automatically think you want an upgrade or something for free. An is not that. As somebody mentioned earlier, a Crew Member is the best ABP you could have onboard, so is good to know you have them on board!!!!!

agpuk
 

This member couldnt be more right in so many ways. Knowing you have a spare crew member on board can help you out big time in the worst case senario.

Everyone tell your PPRUNE pals and get this one page known to all, lets sort each other out when poss, there is nothing wrong letting the crew know who you are just as long as its done in the right way.

spread the word, LETS LOOK AFTER EACH OTHER WHEN ITS OUR TURN TO BE PAX :ok:

Hey, the ones that you should REALLY be looking after are crewing staff. !
You never know just how much we may appreciate that extra glass of wine the next time you have to call in !!
;)

a box of chockies
 

never heard of that one, why not a bunch of flowers, as well, that would make the galley rather twee, or perhaps one bunch for the cockpit too....

I suppose the chockies must be milk, to be PC.!!!!.

glf

Donuts
 

Before the ridiculous rules governing liquids and gels were introduced, it was my habit to purchase a bakers dozen of Krispy Kreme donuts from the (new)franchise at SYD Int terminal for presentation to the operating crew. The gesture always seemed to be appreciated. Given the stress airline crews are under in Australia at the present time they need all the support they can get.

Alot of the time it is hard for ground staff to do "dodgy" upgrades in the check-in system as the management at some airlines will check the system, we can only do authorised u/g's if it is already in the booking so it depends on the gate team/dispatcher/csd all working along the same lines to do the unofficial ones, as has been mentioned there are too many spies out there now.

At my previous airline however, we pretty much had free reign to u/g whoever we wanted, but as it was only shorthaul at the time it wasn't a massive difference in the seat.

I'm just lowly ground crew, but I've had the "your duty free is in the locker above you Mr L/j" - thinking, I don't remember buying anything, then a nice :ok: from the crew member. Got to the hotel and opened the bag to find a bottle of wine and a bottle of champers too - all because me and my mate got the last 2 seats on the a/c, and were in the middle of the middle on a 2-5-2 config UA 777 and they were unable to u/g us !!. Thanks for that UA :D

I hate being unable to u/g people freely now. It is such a shame when the big seats are empty anyway - but too many spies. When I travel, I don't care about the service, I just like that bigger seat for the space and comfort. I'll just happily sit there, as long as I have my bottle of water, I'll have whatever food is left or even go without and I'll go to the galley myself for another re-fill.

Once had an :O moment at my previous airline - moved a very pretty girl on staff travel into C. Didn't realise the guy that was a few paces behind was her b/f, so had to u/g him too !!.

:\

Doing a lot of passive travel I always try to itendify myself to the cabin crew as a colleague. I just tell them that "oh, by the way, we're colleagues". Not to try and nick the better seats, but just to let them know that they have an extra resource in the cabin, should the need arise.

If I travel with another airline than my own and I'm forced to wear my uniform, I always de-uniform myself by removing eppaulettes and so on so that I can't be mixed up with the real crew. Also, when traveling as a passive crew I try to do everything exactly as the CA's want. I actually look at the briefing cards, do not open the seatbelt until the sign is ACTUALLY switched of and so on. Perhaps I'm wrong, but I'd hate to see a pax in uniform, ignoring instructions and behaving in a manner that increases the CA's workload!

Whatever benefits we recieve from the crew, that's just a bonus. I like the idea, but as a passive crew, I'd hate to be a burdon on the active crew!

/LnS

I hope you mean it in a funny way, as it does sound quite rude!!

Is nice when somebody brings you anything as they agknowledge you. I have always done it when flying on staff travel on my days off.

We need to keep looking after each other we are all on the same "boat" (flight).

I commute to work between DUB and LHR. Whenever I fly EI i generally get spoilt rotten...brekkies coming my way etc. When I fly BMI it is hit and miss. Sometimes they are brilliant and spoil me rotten, other times not so much but always pleasant which is all that really matters...NOW....The odd time when I have to fly with my own airline who only operate into LGW from DUB it can be anything from a polite smile to just downright nastyness!!!

I always do my best when I know I have crew onboard one of my flights (or any staff for that matter) but for some reason my airline seems to have a general "attitude" towards other crew on flights making it very hit and miss! I just dont understand it at all. After all, if we cannot look after our own...who can we look after????

general thought
 

It looks like the general answer is that we look after each. Great! As so many of you have mentioned, who will help us if we dont help each other?

We are in a very stressfull job - its only fair that we get sorted out when we finally become pax ourselves. I think everyone would give up a glass of champagne or any alcohol for that matter so we could be offered the better seat. As someone mentioned leave me with a bottle of water and You wont hear a peep out of me.

I am the same, If i get a better seat that is one less pax the crew have to worry about, I would sit back relax, sleep, watch the IFE and accept what ever food the crew swing my way.

We do have to sort each other out, we all work hard so what is wrong in getting looked after when we are pax? :ok: