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Hi, I'm new here, but am a veteran nonrevver. I have a couple of questions. I'm planning on flying from FCO to DXB on Emirates on a zed sometime around 16 March 12. Then on to Doha either on Emirates or Qatar on 19 March. Has anyone ever nonrevved with these airlines? Do they upgrade, or ar you destined to sit in the back, no matter what? Also, what are their luggage allowances for non revs?
Thanks in advance!
I flew ZED on Emirates from DXB to JFK and did not get upgraded.
I asked at the ticket counter and was told no.
I never check luggage so I cannot answer that question...
I took that big A380 SYD-DXB back in 2009. The flight was oversold in Y, so they bumped some pax up to J to free up the last row, center section, middle seat for me for the 15 hour flight. I have to say it was pretty miserable to sit there, but I got to fly from SYD-DXB, on the A380, w/ great service, and an FA was nice enough to walk me through the upper deck and the shower.......but didn't want to hop in w/ me....:(....anyway, all that for like 120USD, so can't complain.
You will not get upgraded on EK......For Qatar, A friend of mine is a 777 CA there, and he told me only CA get upgraded to F when nonrevving, FO and below can only get Y or J......I'm pretty sure OAL is only Y.
I haven't checked a bag in years, so can't tell you about allowance, but I'm thinking its probably minimal. Also Biz Casual is minimum dress..
Thanks folks, guess I'll find out in a couple of weeks! I hate checking bags, but looks like I'll have to on this trip.
Well, Emirates nor Qatar upgrades, apparently even their own employees can't upgrade. BUT......I did something I'd never done before: resorted to bribery lol! I bought 2 boxes of Biscotti in Rome, gave them to the flight attendants as I boarded. I made sure my employee ID was visible as I did that.
As boarding was finished, they all dropped by my seat to thank me! Come mealtime, I was served before anyone else in Coach, and my tray was piled so high I had no room to eat lol! They kept bring snacks, pouring drinks, etc. They also gave me a Fast Track exit card, so I didn't have to wait with the huddled masses to get thru passport control!!
I was a bit surprised at the aircraft though, it was a 777-300ER. Seat pockets were torn/springs showing, carpet was pretty dirty, seat monitors were in poor repair, etc. Just little things that you wouldn't expect to find on a world class airline like EK. That being said, i thoroughly enjoyed the flight!
Flight was at 1435, I had to wait until 1230 before they would clear me at the ticket counter. Flight was fuller than I expected, and leaving out of Terminal 3 in FCO was a nightmare!!!! It took an hour 45 to clear passport and security!!! I DO NOT recommend anyone doing that lol!
Never underestimate the effectiveness of biscotti. :cool:Quote:
Originally Posted by Tony757
I'm glad you made it to DXB. EK did the whole clearning at tkt counter thing to me in SFO when I flew them back in 09 even if the flight was half empty. I was impressed with the 777W I flew on, new and shiny back then - and the coolest part in my opinion was ICE. The crew on my flight was a mix bag, some were really nice and some looked like she would rather be doing other things. Let us know your experience on QR.
Regards,
Chepos
Good heavens--what would have happened with chocolate?? Nice move!
Glad you made it! I had a similar experience on EK last year when I flew confirmed MXP-DXB on a 77W. I made sure my ID was swinging from my neck and dressed business casual. I figured I had a better chance as confirmed vs nonrev, but still no upgrading. I sat in exit row and got served before anybody else and offered a 2nd meal, and the crew took good care of me. The ICE at my seat was broken, but luckily the middle seat was open, so I was able to use the other TV.
Overall EK is good, and they take care of their industry colleagues, which is exactly what every airline and employee should do...
I just noticed this question earlier, sorry I didn't answer it earlier, but all ZED carriers are supposed to allow two free checked bags at 50 pounds or lower. Interestingly enough, I just found out that US charges for checked bags for companion passes.
What a difference--we are not permitted to expose ID except on request at desk/gate, unless in uniform. I still have my spouse card, but only use it in foreign countries (you have to rub it under paper/pencil to see the name!) I see if Boss will try that next time on OAL--he's hardly the confrontational type and so by-the-book.
Thanks for the tip!
Mrs 767, I have to jump on board with you on this one. My impression is/was that its frowned upon to openly display your "non-revness" when flying, i.e. put away the badge and any other oh so unsubtle advertising
Not wanting to belabor the point nor spoil the party,but your airline ID is in some instances your access to secure areas, at least in the case of my home airport. And so going by the motto, if your not here on business, you have no business here, better to put it away unless specifically asked otherwise
I never fly/bboard with my badge on (especially when flying OAL), even when traveling for work. It sparks the curiousity of fellow flyers and brings about questions, comments - etc. I just put it in my bag and produce it when necessary and p ut it back on when working. I like to blend in with everyone else.
Regards,
Chepos
It's company policy for DL flights unless in uniform, show it, then stow it.
I never flaunt the ID, I pulled it out from my shirt and let it hang as I walked from the jetway onto the aircraft. The counter folks had already spoken, the flight attendants on board are the ones who really make the difference once you're on. I wanted them to associate that a fellow airline employee was the one who was giving them those nice Biscotti lol! (shameless, I know!) :)
When I'm riding in the jumpseat I keep it out and visible at all times, especially when entering/exiting the cockpit. When just non-reving, it's in the pocket when I'm not speaking with a gate agent.
Maybe a little bit of a different story, but one time I had to go to ORD for a conference for one of my classes. I had a hard time finding someone to cover a shift for me at the beginning of the time I needed off, but my manager was gracious enough to let me work a flight and then leave on it (we only have one flight at a time, so all that was left was a few small tasks that the rest of the people working could easily do). After working the ticket counter to check everyone in, I got my backpack out of the office, went through security, and worked the gate. When I boarded everyone else, I was able to board myself and print the paperwork, which I gave to the flight attendant before taking my seat. We're small and slow enough that we usually try to clear people at the ticket counter, so I didn't clear myself or anything stupid like that. However, I'm pretty sure that I was wearing my uniform this whole time, though I had a jacket covering myself when I made it to ORD and beyond.
Ooooookay!! I made it to Doha, but not via EK. Flight went oversold at the last minute, so I wound up taking Qatar out of Dubai. Word of warning: They flat out WILL NOT clear you past the ticket counter unless they have a seat for you, and if it's anywhere near tight you must wait until checkin closes 1 hr. prior to departure. So, you must have nerves of steel and a boatload of patience!
Once onboard....amazed!! A320 was spotless, and a hot meal and a drink for an hour long flight???/!!!!?!?!?!? Unheard of in the USA!! I can't wait to see what happens on the 14 hour long flight back to the US lol! (I shall be bringing chocolate this time lol!)
My seat partner happened to be a training supervisor of Cabin Crew for QR!! We had an amazing conversation! He also gave me his contact information in case I needed any help getting out of here. 5 Star airline? I'd say YES!
Sometimes I wear my tiny "10 year" wings on my sport jacket just for the heck of it.
So in your opinion is QR is better than EK? Are you flying into JFK, IAD or IAH?
Regards,
Chepos
Hey Chepos! I just flew home from Doha on QR in coach to IAD. It's really hard to say...they are both top notch. Both have idiosyncransies that are annoying. I liked EK's checkins better that QR, they seemed to know what was going on and how to deal with a ZED pass. Ditto EK's entertainment system. QR's is nice, don't get me wrong, but for instance if you want to view the map while jamming on some tunes you can, but you can't get back to the music menu without going back to the very beginning.
I brought the crew Ferraro Rochers today. It didn't seem to make much of a difference. I was well treated though, no complaints. QR's cabin service seemed uncoordinated and stressful. The fa's were running...literally running. This to me says unorganization, not premium dignified customer service. Of course, Business Class most likely was NOT that way but I didn't get to see that.
Both are fine airlines, and they seem to welcome nonrevs. EK's check in for staff in Dubai is top notch.....you go to a large room behind the ticket counters to check in, and there's 4 or 5 flat screens that have all the standby's names on them. Green means you're cleared, go to the counter and get your boarding pass. Amber means you're waiting till the flight closes 1 hr prior to departure, then it goes either green or red. Red means sorry Charlie, better luck next time. QR had something similar in Doha, although not on such a grand scale.