Bumped (up)
Thursday, April 2, 2009 at 10:24AM At the risk of offending whatever gods I've pleased, I have to say that this trip so far has been most excellent.
Knock wood.
For anyone who flies on a regular basis, one the nicest sounds you can hear is your name being called in the departure area. It sounds like: "Would Douglas Johnson please see an agent at the check-in desk?" It usually means that you'll be trading your tourist class seat for one in first class. (Or that there is something wrong with your security check...)
Anyway, last night I got "The Call" and was bumped to first from my flight from Minneapolis to Amsterdam. While I am somewhat accustomed to being bumped on domestic flights, I can count on one hand the number of times I've been bumped internationally. It is truly something that should happen to everyone at least once, just to learn what it means to be treated like a valued person by an airline.
You board first. No worries about overhead bin space. You are greeted with a large seat with a real blanket, real pillow and real glass of champagne on hand. You are handed a menu with three lovely entrees plus appetizers and desserts and of course all the booze you can handle. Oh, and a list of snacks just in case you get peckish between meals. You get a little kit that contains slippers, eyemask, toothbrush, comb and other goodies. You get a private video screen with your choice of movies and nice headsets. We in first class get our own bathrooms, unsullied by those of you back in steerage.
But the best thing is that the seat has more controls and positions than those vibrating chairs at Brookstone. It reclines until it is almost 180 degrees. You need that pillow and blanket. It massages your back. For a guy my height, that alone makes the trip a pleasure. I sleep on planes, but it's rare I don't wake up with a kink in my neck and cramps in my legs when I do. (Not to mention the drool down the front of my shirt.)
Since I am too cool to actually show any excitement about being in first class, I did not take the picture above, but it looks just like my seat. The little old lady sitting beside me had been bumped up for the first time and it was fun to hear her excitement about everything.
And it keeps getting better. First class seating gets you free admission to the business lounge here in Schipol airport. Free wi-fi, free food, quiet atmosphere, and, of course, more free booze. I guess airlines like their good customers well lubricated. For an eight hour layover, camping here in the business lounge is almost as good as the flight in first class.
I suspect this about uses up my good karma for the next 5 years, but it has been really nice. I've always suspected I was switched a birth with another child from a very rich family since I enjoy these experiences that would be very expensive should one actually pony up the funds. There is probably a rich person out there who couldn't care less.
Now, onward to Cairo!
Oh, if anyone who is attending the same event you are sees you sitting in first class, always act surprised that they are in coach. Saying "You mean the event organizers/school/organization didn't give YOU a first class ticket?" is always a fun trick to play.
Oops, time to go refill my wine glass...
Reader Comments (9)
You deserve it, man. All teachers do. My wife scored a two-year gig as a classroom consultant for one of those monthly book clubs for kids. We got flown to NY (not 1st class), put up in a fancy schmancy hotel (we saw celebrities!), taken out to dine and see a show, met famous authors--the works. All educators should get treatment like that at least once.
As a VERY frequent flier aboard the world's only "ultra low-cost carrier" (Spirit Airlines), I can only imagine what this must be like. Thanks for the pic. I'll keep that as my visual next time I'm crammed into 24 inches of seat space.
Congrats on the opportunity!
Did the LWW get bumped up too, or did you luxuriate in first class while she was stuck in steerage?
This is your good karma from the trip in 2007 when you spent the whole flight from Orlando back to Minneapolis in coach entertaining a sleep-deprived six-year-old with a Disney-World-hangover and let his mother fly business class in blissful silence.
@Doug
Sounds like a great way to start the trip. Sounds like it will be a great time.
Thanks for the good thoughts, Charlie.
Doug
Hi Sweetie,
I still tell people your response when I asked if you wanted to switch - "Is this a trick question?" Looking forward to another Disney adventure when the little guy gets old enough to go.
Love,
Dad
Hi Alice,
Well the LWW is following me by a couple days, but might become an issue on the flights home!
For the record, I DO share my upgrades with her about 50/50. This would have been a tough one to give up though!
Doug
Hi Angela,
I fly enough of those little commuter airlines that I understand your reference to the 24 inches of seat space. But what really makes those flights special if you have a huge person sitting next to you, a crying baby in front of you, and a little kid kicking your seat in back of you!
Happy flying,
Doug
Hi Ninja,
I'd also like a few million dollar bonuses!
Doug
Doug,
As someone who has never been bumped up to first class, would you please share your secret? How is it that you are "somewhat accustomed to being bumped on domestic flights?"
Thanks for sharing about your trip to Egypt - loved the pictures you shared in another post.
Karen
Hi Karen,
The only reason I get bumped up is because of my charm and good looks.
No really, I fly enough on a single airline (Northworst) that I've been an "elite" member - silver, gold and platinum - for the past few years. One of the perks is a free upgrade on domestic flights if paying customers haven't filled all the seats.
I suppose there are other tricks as well, but I don't know them, I'm afraid.
All the best and keeping my fingers crossed that you get bumped someday!
Doug
Doug:
I've fallen slightly behind on some of my blog reading so sorry for the late post. At 13 I was to fly (for the first time) with my parents to Germany when we were bumped up to first class (as a personal favor to my uncle who at the time worked in the airline industry). Boy was i disappointed to find out on the way home what real flying was like...i though first class was how everyone flew. It was a great experience, but having that experience the first time flying has probably ruined me for all flights since then!