Why don't people just buy a big bag of M&Ms or a chocolate bar at the airport and enjoy that on the plane? You won't feel left out then and I'm sure you'll be getting more chocolate that the celb(s) will

Sorry guys but would have to disagree with what the majority seem to be saying now on this thread and agree with the op ....

I rarely get to fly in premium classes and am normally down the back with the masses ... however if this had happened in the few times I have flown in PE, UC or Buisness class with other airlines I would not be happy if someone sitting in the same class as me was receiving extra treatment ... you pay for the services in that class and if someone within that class can get extra for being the person they are it undermines the reason for paying for things - (probably why most celebs don't pay for the extra classes and just expect it).

If there aren't celebs on planes and you don't get the items you want in the premium classes, e.g. Meals / Treatments, in my experience you either get a card for next flight for first choice in treatments, or they will go out of your way to ensure you get a meal that you like, and normally have an appology from the FSM - anyway this just shows that airlines are fully aware that people aren't happy if treated differently.

I sympathise with the op as trying to then explain this to young kids who aren't aware of celebrity, has got to be difficult.

just my 2 pence!!

James

Originally posted by Ian
Wow. How can I not contribute my two cents.
I am with Nottingham Nick on this one. I have seen celebs on VS in the past and believe me the crew are all over them like a rash. That's not a 'what-can-we-get-you rash' but a 'let-me-bother-you-with-all-sorts-of-requests-for-autographs-etc rash'. Sometimes the celebs deserve to get some special treatment for all the disturbance they go through.

Yes, they do. Its called money and far too much of it for what they do.

Originally posted by mdvipond
Coming back from BGI earlier this year we were lucky enough to be sharing UC with Kiera Knightly and her mum. Mrs. Vips and I were in 6 A & K, and overheard Ms. Knightly asking the FSM if they could have our seats (they were in 8 & 9A) as they'd 'like to sleep'.

Ms Knightly would be more than welcome to my suite, as long as she didnt mind sharing [:p][:p][:p]

Who is she???

Wow this thread is interesting indeed!!

I think there's a couple of things to consider here:

1 Equal treatment in a cabin
2 VS Crew and discretion


Personally, whilst I agree that you get what you pay for (and any extras are a bonus); everyone should be treated roughly the same.
At the end of the day VS offer 3 cabins /Levels of service
Since everyone has paid for a level of service, everyone should have the same, if VS want to treat certain PAX better opup them!

I wouldn't be happy if the guy next to me was blatantly receiving more attention than I was. That's like saying sorry Sir, your not as important as he is!!

At the same time I'm a realist and we're all human!! - Friends & Family of crew and celebs etc will get extra treatment. It's human nature to treat those you recognise better than strangers - however discretion is required, as this special treatment shouldn't me blatant.

AlanA Kiera Knightley is an actress

Originally posted by Jonathan

AlanA Kiera Knightley is an actress

Ah, OK, a "celeb" then. [:o)] SennPirates and she made such an impact on me that I did not recognise her or her name.

[Scrooge]

Just to take this thread of track a little more..had the great pleasure of meeting miss Knightley this year ...what a B%#$H...if you watch the movie Domino you'll see me (as long as the editing is done right)rest of the crew were great Ian Ziering is my man..what a nice guy..he ordered a drink for himslef and his wife (babe) between shoots..the drinks arrive while he's shooting and his wife had forgotten to tip the waitress...you would of thought someone had shot him !!!..chasing her across the casino just to give her a $20 tip !! as I said nic guy...talk with me for a few mins every day for a week..did I mention his wife is a babe [:I]

Originally posted by AlanA
Yes, they do. Its called money and far too much of it for what they do.

I agree. BTW I guess it was Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan plus children. They have a property in Florida and are off the TV right now. OTOH they are not VERY famous.

Originally posted by popstar
Sorry guys but would have to disagree with what the majority seem to be saying now on this thread and agree with the op ....

I rarely get to fly in premium classes and am normally down the back with the masses ... however if this had happened in the few times I have flown in PE, UC or Buisness class with other airlines I would not be happy if someone sitting in the same class as me was receiving extra treatment ... you pay for the services in that class and if someone within that class can get extra for being the person they are it undermines the reason for paying for things - (probably why most celebs don't pay for the extra classes and just expect it).

If there aren't celebs on planes and you don't get the items you want in the premium classes, e.g. Meals / Treatments, in my experience you either get a card for next flight for first choice in treatments, or they will go out of your way to ensure you get a meal that you like, and normally have an appology from the FSM - anyway this just shows that airlines are fully aware that people aren't happy if treated differently.

I sympathise with the op as trying to then explain this to young kids who aren't aware of celebrity, has got to be difficult.

Absolutely spot on Popstar.

FWIW, I think that the level of service should be consistant for that class. You can rest assured that for each person getting "special" attention there is some poor person getting "crap" attention.

This whole episode sums up for me Virgin's biggest problem just now, a lack of consistancy. For each great flight I have had with Virgin, I have also had a crap flight. I kept going back because I wanted every flight to be great, but was invariably affected by lack of consistancy.

I also think EGG and many others have totally missed the point. This maybe totally wrong but could it be that the people missing the point don't have children??
I have a child of 7, and can totally sympathise with the feelings of
747340, when having to tell an innocent child that they can't get any chocolates because they're deemed not to be special enough by some stupid member of the cabin crew. My blood is boiling at the thought of it. I think the treatment of the OP was shocking - especially with the FSM being too busy to speak - that's just plain rudeness. You can bet your life that if the "Famous family" wanted to speak to the FSM he/she would've been over in a shot.

paddyc, I think you are getting to the nub of why there are differing opinions on this one. If you really truly expect consistency of service on all flights then you will be sorely disappointed (as indeed you say you are half the time and happy the other half).
OTOH if you acknowledge that each flight will have a level of service unique to that particular crew, then your expectations will more often than not be met. Board the plane with an open mind and be pleasantly surprised, rather than have an expectation that is missed and leads to disappointment. But none of this has anything to do with different treatment to pax in the same class.
(As an aside, take good notice of the greeting on entering the plane and you can accurately predict the service level for that whole flight - try it, it really works!).
747340 - no denial that it wasn't Richard and Judy, then?

Have none of you received anything extra or better service anywhere because of a) your status or b) you are known. I have and it feels great. I don't demand it, I don't expect it but when it happens it feels good. I also know what it feels like to be travelling stuck in economy due to a last minute flight request and be stood next to someone in the security line getting on the same plane as you, while he was on the phone saying 'thanks for sorting out that upgrade, much appreciated'. [}:)] I have seen many low rate celebs turn up at the airport and expect special treatment. That's the bit I don't like. Mr M and Mrs F have been spotted at LHR C/H (the old one) having the conservatory penned off for their own private use.

Paul

Originally posted by GrinningJackanapes
And from a privacy perspective, don't you think it's a little bit "3am Girl" to be dropping names like that?

The name-dropping would have had to have been done by the OP. That he has not done so, I applaud. That doesn't stop the rest of us having a go, does it?
BTW, I would never admit to reading the Mirror.

Well paddy, being a gay person no I don't have kids, prehaps you were not aware of that, or prehaps my previous tongue in cheeck posts made that obvious ( in which case that was acheap shot;))

What my point is, is that it looks a little rather than an adult chip on the shoulder as opposed to a traumatised child thing.

my point is its best to know all the facts or at least attempt to try before prounouncing a death sentense:D

little britain made me laugh soo much on my last ucs flight, i was politely asked to be quieter:D.


and 747340, theres no need to be so agressive dude, have you written a complaint yet or asked for an explanation, saying its a waste of time trying isn't good enough if you are so angry getsome answers

[Decker]

Yeah, I know...

Decker - did you not mean "yeh, but no, but yeh, but no"?

99

[Decker]

nah - my other favourite character...

"But you always said that you hated red because red was the colour of oppression"

"Yeah, I Know"

...

have you got any pirate memory games? It's OK I'll wait...

Originally posted by GrinningJackanapes

Originally posted by easygoingeezer
little britain made me laugh soo much on my last ucs flight, i was politely asked to be quieter:D.

OMG, I know! Me, too...I watched all 8 episodes of season 1 in a row and was laughing so hard I was crying. Needless to say, I am a confirmed fan...we're only getting season 2 over here now in the states and I'm pleased to say that the entire nation is consumed with doing things tht a lady might do, you know, in a ladylike manner LOL

I cannot STAND this apology for humour. Its absolute rubbish, being banal and childish.
Rather like the office, tow programmes which were hyped by the media and a really very poor.

Decker - Quite right I missed that point. And some fell on stoney ground - esp. where he listener is a bit slow.
Alan A - You really should try not to beat round the bush and say what you really mean;)
Just a thought, but maybe VS could save some weight (ref: silver service thread) by cutting out the cold trays and giving us nice slimming dust.
99

Originally posted by sailor99
Decker - Quite right I missed that point. And some fell on stoney ground - esp. where he listener is a bit slow.
Alan A - You really should try not to beat round the bush and say what you really mean;)
Just a thought, but maybe VS could save some weight (ref: silver service thread) by cutting out the cold trays and giving us nice slimming dust.
99

I always try to sailor
I can see the time coming when most meals will be taken in the clubhouse with a cold snack service onboard only available

Originally posted by easygoingeezer
Well paddy, being a gay person no I don't have kids, prehaps you were not aware of that, or prehaps my previous tongue in cheeck posts made that obvious ( in which case that was acheap shot;))

EGG, I had picked up on the subtle gay pointers previously, which led me to theorising that the people not getting the issue were those who did not have chidren. I'm sorry if you think that was a cheap shot - I certainly didn't mean it to be.

I also don't know if any of the other people have or don't have children - as I say, I asked the question as it seemed to me that the biggest issue here was when the OP had to tell his child they couldn't have any chocolates. Being a parent I totally sympathise with the OP.


AlanA - you need to get a life mate;). I suspect most of the UK and much of the US would disagree with your comments on the Office and Little Britain. Just because you don't like them doesn't mean that they are "banal and childish".

Originally posted by paddyc

AlanA - you need to get a life mate;). I suspect most of the UK and much of the US would disagree with your comments on the Office and Little Britain. Just because you don't like them doesn't mean that they are "banal and childish".

Hang on, because as I have stated I find these programmes banal and childish I should get a life??
In today's society, am I not entilted to my opinion?, or are only people who go along with the base majority allowed an opinion?
Because we have a society which has made being a "chav" an acceptable way of life and puts so called "celebs" above people working hard (for less than these morons make in a day), to enrich peoples lives, does not mean that I have to blindly accept that these programmes are good. I repeat, that I find them banal and childish, the fact you disagree does not mean that you need to "get a life", rather, that you have a different opinion to me, thats all.

don't worry Paddy I wasn't offended;)

I think the banality is actually part of the parody of the comedy actually, so yes its banal, and bloody hilarious for it.

there is a little village round my way nestled in a valley between the dales, I won't name it but a very strong willed lady lives there that was on I'm a celeb get me out of here ( forgotten her name )Edit: remembered Janet Street Porter
anyway my point is Little Britain is a very good and accurate extreme version of it. The league of gentlemen even more so.

This thread seems to have brought out very strong opinions, a sign of a healthy forum I guess, I still think though someone so strongly aggrieved and affected by this issue would do us all a service by letting VA know about it and consequently letting us know the result.

Write to Sir R, he doesn't have his thumb up his you know what, he is a down to earth guy, he might well be interested to hear about it.

My reaction would be to tell them there and then, and ask for the biggest bag of m&ms on board no matter what the cost and share it with the rest of the kids in the cabin.

Being Gay doesn't exclude you from having children, I will be travelling with my two on Saturday to MIA and let me assure you that if they see anyone getting something they don't I'll hear about it over and over and over again.

My two children are aged 39 and 38 and are generally well behaved but are known to have the occasional paddy