Solo Teen In UC

Hi There,

Im 16 years old, and in 100 days (so the VS website tells me) I will be off to NY to stay with friends for a month, spending 3/4 weeks in Florida (yay!) and, as an additional present for hard work at school, and my own partial savings, Im flying UC!!! [:D][:D]

I don't want to bore you with the normal 'this is my first UC flight, what can I expect, what seat to chose' etc etc.

My question is, to all you people who fly J on a regular basis, do you notice the crew/CH staff treat teenagers/solo teen flyers differently. I know this sounds extremely odd, but this does happen in many situations (no thanks to the media and the average stereotype teenager) and in what is my first, and most likely only UC flight I will have in a long time, I really dont want to be treated differently. This is my fear(As I have been in Y/W) I would like all the wonderful service I read so much about.

Sorry if this seems ridiculous to some.

Thanks in advance[y]
VFLY

[HighFlyer]

Hi,

Firstly, well, what a fab birthday treat!

From my own experiences, it has been other passengers that are more of a worry than the crew. A number of years ago I was flying in Upper and a chap asked me pretty directly as to what my parents did for a living for me to fly up the front. I was actually there on my own money, and told him rightly so. To be fair, those individuals are few and far between, and you should not let a jealous individual spoil your experience.

You should find the crew as professional to you as to the other passengers, and if that is not the case, a polite word to the black shirted FSM is the best bet. You might be young, and you might not be offered the Champagne and wine, but you should be offered the same levels of service.

Thanks,
Sarah

[honey lamb]

I've travelled extensively with Aer John in UC when he was your age and younger. To be honest there hasn't been any difference in service - if anything he has managed to garner extra attention - apart from one occasion when the cabin crew looking after us and working from the back, passed him over and went to the person sitting in front of him. She went back to him only when she had attended to everyone else in her 'block'. He (and I) was furious because apart from the discourtesy, John was a gold member at that time. Fortunately that was a once off incidence

Have a great trip. You'll love it

Although I'm not a teenager (24yrs old[:#]) I do look quite young for my age and have travelled solo in J and F regularly as a teenager. These recounts aren't from Virgin but they are valid...

Never had any problems with staff, apart from the odd suggestive comment, like when using priority boarding, 'Are you flying in Business Class with us today?'. It wasn't asked in a bad way I just assumed since the fast line was unmarked they'd had plenty of chancers....Or the time I boarded at LHR, worse for wear after enjoying Newcastle Brown Ale in the lounge, and when showing my BP to 62K was directed down to the back of economy. A quick 'I thought row 62 was upstairs?' remedied that...or the time I was shouted at by an Alaska Airlines gate agent for trying to cut the economy boarding line despite being in F, and F having their own boarding lane [;)]

As HighFlyer says, most of my problems (although minor) are with the other passengers who tend to assume things. I've mentioned it before but had a BA Club World flight from SFO-LHR several years ago and as it was an overnight I was in sailing club t-shirt, flip flops and shorts. The Business line was empty but the economy one snaked round quite a bit. As I was approaching the business line a guy in a suit leaned out and told me the back of the economy line was *over there*. I just ignored him and went straight to the desk.

There are quite a few 'young and elite/premium cabin traveller' threads on Flyertalk.com. Some of the stories and comebacks are pretty amusing [:D]

Enjoy your trip, I very much doubt whether you'll have any problems whatsoever. Have some witty replies ready for those pesky assumers [|:)]

Hello

Your post was actually really interesting as not many people tend to ask this question.

I'm only 21 and travel W/J. I feel that sometimes you do get strange looks from other passengers but in my experience, not the crew:)

I don't fly on business, purely for leisure purposes. I have a good job and work hard so like to treat myself to the finer things in life:)

I was in NY in Jan. We went Premium. The cabin was literally empty, 9 passengers. We were treated extremely well. Could not fault the crew. I'd say I look a bit younger than 21 too.

I can imagine you must be so excited about the UC trip:) The pre-flight stuff is so good.

Also, people say that your holiday starts when you get off the plane- not for me- a champers, voddy etc always does the trick- I should say here, I'm not an alcoholic lol![:D]

My friend and I are doing a West Coast trip in Aug and I'm flying UC and she is doing Premium but will likely upgrade at a later date- really, really looking forward to it.

If you want to know anything else just ask:)

PS- As previous members have said, I don't know what your chances will be to have a drink at the bar etc but it depends on the crew.

R

[Darren Wheeler]

Lucky git [:)] I had to wait years for that treat.

You might get lucky in-flight with regards to a drinkie-poo. Depends on the crew (not sure what the legal side is) but you'll not get anything in the CH as the over-18 rule still applies (21 in JFK). Bad publicity, getting a 16-year old drunk [:D]

Enjoy!!

Heya Bud,

I joined Virgin so I could fly Upper without my parents dosh. lol. I have never had a problem. I am 20, look about 15, and fly at the front of the plane 95% of the time. I have never really had a problem. Mostly just curious passengers and maybe a few curious crew members. If anything you should tell them you have saved for it! The crew working in Upper Class will most likely spoil you rotten so you get the best experience out of it. Go sit at the bar when boarding and get a nice little chat in with them. Or let your cabin crew member know when he sits on your ottoman to let you know about the service. Don't forget the IFBT! What flight number are you on?

I've had other passengers asking me if I'm going to meet 'Mom or Dad at the other end' or 'do your parents know you're here alone?' when I'm positioning etc.

If you do feel overwhelmed about anything don't be scared to ask the crew; I doubt you'll be treated any different unless you'd like to be! Have a wicked flight and a great month

personally I had some problems what with being young in UC, but don't let this put you off, and do what I didn't do, if you feel you're being mistreated.. tell a senior member of cre.

My daughter (Dragonbaby) is currently 15.The crew have been nothing but lovely to her in UC and made the experience very special for her when travelling in UC. She has also travelled in PE alone (as an unaccompanied minor) and again had nothing but positive experiences.

I can't believe that such blatant chauvinism (in Highflyer's case) and outright resentment and snobbery still exists in the 21st century. It doesn't matter by what means the ticket is paid for, airmiles, tesco vouchers, cold hard cash, each person has as much right to be there as the next.
I'm only 22 and have yet to fly UC (flew BA club twice with parents about 10 years ago) but my gf (same age) and I should have enough miles by the end of this year to go UC and it saddens me that some people won't respect us for having saved and worked hard be there.

Just been looking at some of the threads about this subject on flyertalk and came across one from a young LROM![:)]

http://flyertalk.com/forum/archive/inde ... -4134.html

To G-VFLY, hope you really enjoy your experience of turning left!

[Darren Wheeler]

Originally posted by DarkAuror
Just been looking at some of the threads about this subject on flyertalk and came across one from a young LROM![:)]

http://flyertalk.com/forum/archive/inde ... -4134.html

To G-VFLY, hope you really enjoy your experience of turning left!

Young?!?! Barely out of short trousers.. [;)]

[HighFlyer]

Originally posted by clarkeysntfc
I can't believe that such blatant chauvinism (in Highflyer's case) and outright resentment and snobbery still exists in the 21st century. It doesn't matter by what means the ticket is paid for, airmiles, tesco vouchers, cold hard cash, each person has as much right to be there as the next.

Do you mean chauvinism shown to me? or from me? I frequently use miles to upgrade my own flights but will also pay for Upper and Premium flights, so i feel i have a good mix. Some passengers assume that a young person up the front is not there on their own means, whether that be on miles or cash is irrelevant to the argument and fellow passengers would really have no idea how you paid for your flight but i'd assume any negative thoughts would come from those who think you are on a freebie as opposed to working hard to get where you are.

I should have enough miles by the end of this year to go UC and it saddens me that some people won't respect us for having saved and worked hard be there.

The vast majority of V-Flyers will not fall into that boat, more the contrary in being excited for you with regards to your forthcoming trip. Most of us here work hard to enable us to afford and enjoy the pleasures of travel. As for the flight, the crew will not know who has paid a full fare and who is on a reward flight and so you should get the exact same level of service as everyone else on board.

Thanks,
Sarah

Highflyer, please be assured that I meant that it appeared that it was towards you not by you! Sorry if my post wasn't clear and didn't mean to cause any offence![:I]
Just from the way I read your original post with the chap asking what your parents must do for you to be able to afford UC, it sounded to me like it was a fairly blatant case of a man assuming that you were there as 'mummy and daddys girl' rather than there off your own bat, hence I thought it sounded rather a chauvinistic remark on his behalf. Hope thats a bit clearer!

Thankfully V-flyer is a haven from the sort of attitudes and comments other posts have spoken of and I'm glad HighFlyer's last comment that most people on here would be happy for us re-inforces that belief![oo]

[HighFlyer]

No worries, no offence taken on my part [:)] My negative experiences have only been few and far, so I hope G-VFLY has a great flight and no worries. He might actually get mistaken for a young pop star and probably get better treatment than the rest of us [:D]

Thanks,
Sarah

Dear all,

Thank you all for your replies, they are very much appreciated. I'm glad to here that if anything, I will be given special treatment. lol. [8D]

I'm actually not suppressed that it is the passengers that are likely to give me more hassle than anything else, but Ill have plenty of witty comments ready![y]

A drink at the bar?[:0] Yes please! That would be a nice touch, So ill keep the fingers crossed! Have been served wine before in PE, but champers at the bar would be fab!

One advantage I have is that when I was 10 or so, I wrote to VS to ask about how I can reach my goal in life, to fly for VS (one day!). I got in contact with a lovely member of the VS staff, who is fantastic! She has slipped a note into my booking saying I'm travelling alone in UC and is it possible for a flight deck visit pre/post flight. That would be nice, as I have yet to visit a 346 flight deck.

Galley Guy, I'm on the VS45 and VS26 (hoping to change to the VS10 closer to the time).

I also tried to book a CDC using miles (I'm on a G fare) but they won't come to Hampshire for some reason.[:(] I really wanted that experience of arriving at the Upper Class wing, but the lift will have to do.

Also, I read on the fare class list on the site is that G's earn miles and tier points for the class you paid for. Is this correct? Found this odd since this is a reward flight.

Finally, my thanks to every VFLYER who have warmly welcomed me over the last 2 years. There are some sites that are negative to teens posting, Glad VF isn't one of them![y][oo]

VFLY
Only 98 days![:D][:D]

Unfortunately the rules on booking CDCs on G fares changed last year and they don't count Hampshire as being in the Home Counties. If the fare has been booked purely with miles (ie 90,000 being redeemed) no miles or tier points will be earned but if the fare has been upgraded with miles from a revenue fare class miles and tier points will be earned in the original revenue class.
Have a great time!
DL

I've flown as a teen in UC/PE quite a bit in my time and I find that staff mostly treat you better than they would otherwise. The ones that treat as even more of an inconvenience are likely to be pretty crap anyway so it doesnt really matter.

And yes I do get the 'This line is for business class passengers only' (sometimes with a begrudging sir spat out at the end) frequently (am I not giving off the right image?[:I]) and you just have to deal with it.
Once I was told to return to my seat when helping myself to some OJ set out at the bar. Naturally I complied and made my way back to my suite. Then, having realised her mistake, the FA hurried after me and apologised profusely explaining that she thought I had come from Y.

It's lovely to be young and wealthy. In fact, wealth is wasted on the old, IMHO, and any haters you encounter on the flight will only be jealous numpties. As long as you don't act like Little Lord Fauntleroy, you should be just fine.

And call me in two years and I'll pay for your tickies. Who's yer uncle, then? LOL J/K

HAVE FUN!

GJ

Thank you guys, one more question!

Ok, so this regards the IFBT and clubhouse treatments. It states on the VS online booking form that 'Virgin Atlantic regrets it can not offer massages to passengers 16 years or younger' so that obviously means no massages in the clubhouse

But can I get another treatment?

And does this age rule apply to the IFBT?

Thanks,
VFLY

[honey lamb]

Yes, you can. Aer John regularly has his hair cut when in the clubhouse. On board he has had the services of the IFBT and in the past this has included massages.

Firstly well done you AND have a fab time.

I am 43 now but do remember my frustration at hoe ruddy rude and condescending older folks could be to me when I was a teen,holding down three jobs and a further education so I know what you mean, I try very hard not to look down on the younger generation ( unless your a hoody riding a bmx and swiggin booze of course ), geez what I would have done to be flying Upper at your age, it was a dream for me then.

Personally I think you will be treated very well might even get more attention than us oldies[}:)].

Have a fabulous experience and be proud of yourself don't let bitter oldies put you down, ever.

And GJ can I have a signed pic please after reading that description of yourself[oo]

Originally posted by G-VFLY


But can I get another treatment?

And does this age rule apply to the IFBT?

How about the spray tan ? (at least one other male member here has taken the plunge so to speak so you'd be in good company).You might arrive in New York looking like David Platt ([}:)]) but won't look pasty on the beach in FL! Should this idea not appeal I'd go for the haircut [:D].

[Darren Wheeler]

I've seen under-16's get massages on board, but they were with the understanding it would not be a deep or intensive one.