Pilot upgrades: true or false?

[SFHawk]

Any truth to the rumour that flashing a pilots license at the check-in desk can get your seat upgraded on a commercial flight?

Anyone tried it? Or will I be the first to be laughed at, then marched away from the check-in desk for some "extra" security checks.
(To pre-empt the quick witted; I am not referring to the actual pilots of the flight but that of a paying passenger!)

[Taff Missed]

No reason why it should.

I've found that dressing respectably and making a discreet enquiry at check-in gets about a 30% success rate and if that doesn't work, a polite but discreet enquiry to the cabin crew immediately after boarding usually does. Subject to load of course.

And I'm only an engineer!

[vpaw pilot]

I don't think so

Mate,

You must remember that as a helicopter pilot, you are the lowest of the low...you are scum...in the eyes of the industry, you aren't really even a pilot!

Why, a helicopter pilot wouldn't know how to behave in business class, what with the rich food and wine, and the general atmosphere of class...

But hey, don't let me stop you...anything's worth a try

Happy landings...

[thecontroller]

forget the upgrade, i would settle for a fast track through all the pointless security nonsense

[helicopter-redeye]

You may be seen as an extra security risk. I remember the panic setting in when the security wallahs found a current approach plate and chart in my bag ...

[thecontroller]

you only have to worry if the plate had no missed approach procedure

[212man]

Flashing your licence is likely to result in the check in staff rolling their eyes at each other and making fist on forehead signs as you turn and leave!

Politeness is far more appealing to them. Booking using "Capt" as your prefix can help too: I was upgraded from business to first 10 days ago with SIA.

The best way is to have a frequent flyer card and try and get to a reasonable level (Silver or Gold); they really do have some effect.

[MK10]

jump seat

used to often get the "jump seat" when flights were busy- lots leg room etc...
but since 9/11 locked doors etc.. good ol, days.
mk10

[unstable load]

A bloke I knew boarded with his bars onhis shirt and the Captain, who was greeting pax onboard informed him that there was only ONE captain on the plane and it was not my mate .
Naturally the engineer he told the story to had a good giggle. Nearly fell off my perch, I did.

[outhouse]

A funny but true story?

Many years ago a Helicopter Captain working for British Airways Helicopters was traveling to (we will say) London. As he boarded the aircraft he was welcomed by the cabin crew and showed to his seat. He commented that they should treat him as a normal passenger during the flight. This comment prompted the crew to look at the manifest, Captain “A” was the passenger assigned to the seat with a BOAC/BA staff number, he was asked if he would like an upgrade to First Class and promptly moved into the new and very welcome area and I suspect asked for a bottle of bubbly. After takeoff the service was great and no, well almost, request was denied and promptly responded to. Later he was asked if he would like to visit the flight deck, he did and was shown a very professional and to the book view of the crews performance. During the ensuing discussion with the aircraft captain it became obvious what the situation was!!!!!!
After that rather embarrassing event, the use of titles and inferred positions was a definite NO, NO. BAH crews suffered for a long time and it was best to remain a grey person when traveling with our (British) National Flag Airline.
Motto, be very careful when looking for an advantage through position or rank.

Seasons greetings to all readers.

outhouse

[thecontroller]

errr, i dont understand this story, can someone tell me what the embarrassing event/situation was?

[keithl]

Well, the way I read it, controller, is that it became obvious that he was a HELO captain when he didn't speak quite the same tongue as the FW Captain. And that BAH wasn't quite the same thing as BA. This led to embarrassment because everyone had been making assumptions that were wrong.

And I think trying to get an upgrade simply because you are a pilot is bad form.

[outhouse]

Thecontroller
Look old chap, give some time to conceder the situation. In the FW world they have nasty chaps, who monitor the performance of the crews, rather sneaky and not the done thing, I know but a fact of life. The Capt “A” inferred that he was monitoring the crew, (I suspect he had a few beers in the departure lounge) the comment inferred that, Keithl, well done you are on the mustered.
Will not try and include any further, funny stories without an extended overview of the background of the situation.
Outhouse.

[IntheTin]

I didn't understand it at first until I read it again. Makes better sense now!

[outhouse]

Its Great hearing from someone who is “tuned” in.

Speechless Two, .
Its Great hearing from someone who is “tuned” in.

Outhouse.

[TeeS]

Hi Outhouse, if memory serves correctly, the 'Hurricane Bill' episode came closer to finishing off BAH/BIH's staff travel.

Rule 1 of Staff Travel, sit quietly, smile sweetly and only ever make complimentary comments. Shame I don't really qualify for it anymore!

Whatever happened to Bill?

Cheers

TeeS

[You're Dangerous]

Lads best option is to purchase a priest's shirt online(about $35) and wear that to the check-in gate. . . .a smile and a few holy winks should squeeze an upgrade out of them . . .. mind you if you end up chatting up some rich totty in 1st class you'l probably get a few dissaproving looks from the trolly dollies

[outhouse]

Hi TeeS,
Great to know that at least one old soldier is viewing the PPrune, Bill never lived the episode down I understand and BIH employees had agro with staff travel for years. What happened to him I have no idea, still enjoying his flights after spending too much time in the bar I expect. At least I have my retired staff travel to help the retrieved Mirror Pension. The Maxwell Saga, well that is another story.

outhouse