Why do airline employees discriminate?

I found your site on technorati and read a few of your other posts. Keep up the good work. I just added your RSS feed to my Google News Reader. Looking forward to reading more from you.

Jason Rakowski

It wouldn't have hurt for you to be less subtle about your status. The line checker is not a mind reader and was playing the (very good) odds by making the assumptions that she did.

Well that was the reason I did it, I wanted to see what the agent would end up saying, hoping it wouldn't be like last time with "wrong line buddy." I really think it's incredibly stupid for an agent to play the odds and assume what she did. Why not just ask if I have status?

It was more of an experiment on my end, which is why I did it in a roundabout way.

Removing the line checkers completely and instead (consistently) asking for the Premier card when performing the transaction would probably be my preferred way. Just assume that most people play fair and line up correctly. Those who don't should be send back to the end of their appropriate line once they get to the counter of the inappropriate one, which will then teach them a lesson for the next time.

Of course, this being United, consistency is a difficult thing to ask for.

By the way, if I *had* to bet, I would generally place the suit passenger in the premium cabin and the hawaii/shorts guy into coach. While there certainly are "poorly" dressed elites/premium pax (including yours truly... never in a suit), I do thing business travelers are generally more likely to fly C/F than leisure travelers.

Yeah, I agree with the first part, would probably be the best to just remove them, but at the same time we know how confused people are (or pretend to be), and it would lead to a lot of missed flights or gaming of the system if they didn't check.
As for the second part, I totally agree, but that's making a big assumption. I think that those in a hawaiian shirt are often traveling from business. In general not too many companies pay for first domestically, so it's all about upgrades (of course there are exceptions, but I'm talking in general). As a result it mainly comes down to frequency, and that leaves a lot of upgrades for consulstants and the like, those that travel a lot, and often less for those that might buy high fares and not travel qiute enough for status (which IME is often what "the suits" are). Consultants often work till Thursday and on only fly home on Friday, so they can where whatever the heck they want.
Just a thought...

Glad to see other people doing this too. Im only 2P this year, but ALWAYS get the "wrong line" bs from passengers, and occasionally staff when in the premier line. Sometimes I will go that route, but generally its just too annoying to play that game

I agree. The assumptions are not appropriate. If they have doubts, they should simply ask if you are an elite member. If the answer is, "no" or "huh?", then "wrong line, buddy" is okay. 😀 Just kidding.

As for categorizing C or F pax? Couldn't tell ya. I didn't realize till now, after reading this, what people wear isn't something I focus on... unless it's something blatantly hideous.

> unless it’s something blatantly hideous.

Like that guy in swim shorts, polo shirt, and flip flops in C on a UA 747 from FRA to SFO today??

I had a chip on my shoulder when I was asked if I was "Premier" out of MSP. (I'M 1K on United ) until my husband in his finest business suit was asked the same thing.( also 1K) on United) I felt discriminated against until that point. Now I see that the lines are monitored and I appreciate it.

Hey Lucky, how about you do some investigative journalism? Pull a Barbara Ehrenreich. On an upcoming trip, don't put in any upgrades, and remove your MP number from the itinerary. Dress like a typical college student and see how you're treated. Or, put in the upgrades and have them clear as a 1K, then remove your MP number.

Worked for an airline that flew into Big Sky Montana, lots of Hollywood types.

Had a mechanical cancel, the gate agent was doing her best to help each passenger one at a time, three people back in line one of those "special" people, tired of waiting with the "riff-raff" spoke out, quite loudly "Miss I need to be helped, don't you know who I am?"

To which the agent replyed "yes ma'am I do, you are number three in line".

I find it just as arrogant to think that premier status makes you a celebrity that allows you to expect special service just for showing up.

Look like you belong, act like you belong, treat the agents with respect, cut the profiling crap.