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#751698 by Ianf71
05 Aug 2010, 21:50
I know I might be in the minority here, but I really couldn't care less what anyone else is wearing, and if it bothers you, it says more about you than it does them.
I'd rather dress comfortably for an 8hr+ flight than dress so as not to offend anyone else's sensitivities.

oh, and I've been upgraded to PE for free on 4 occasions in the past 5 years - twice with the person I was travelling with (same trip - our first and gt us hooked on PE) and twice when I've booked late and travelling alone and there has been no PE seats available - then upgraded at the gate. :)
#751699 by carlsberg
05 Aug 2010, 21:56
I don't want an upgrade from PE to UC, i would be happy with purely lounge access at LGW.

I sell VS as a VS Gold award agent, with high turnover. Mainly selling UC.
So off i sent an e-mail to my VS sales rep, stating i was travelling as a family for the first time on a full revenue PE published fare to MCO next week asking for a favour i.e. lounge passes so i could see what i am selling so to speak.

The response back was we don't do that for anyone.

I felt a bit peeved for sure.

He said i may be able to pay £260 for 2AD + 2CH at LGW, if i wanted to.

I don't think so. All i wanted was some recognition for my business.

Hope this does not sound unfair!
#751701 by daywalker
05 Aug 2010, 21:57
iGuyHD wrote:I think 'smart' dress varies across age groups to be honest; be it a full on whistle and flute, or something a little less formal.

I totally agree that shorts and sports tops are not what we all want to see when in J, but similarly, a good pair of jeans, coupled with an open necked shirt or polo is fine with me.

Provided people make an effort, all credit to them.


I'm glad you said that because I think the same. Maybe I'm biased though :) I usually do wear smart jeans and a smart polo or T-shirt for flights. Never anything tatty by any stretch of the imagination. Occasionally I wear a shirt but then that feels like I'm making far too much of an effort for what is just a leisure flight (for me) whether it be in Y, C or F.

I too would draw the line at shorts and 'sports gear' in what would be termed 'smart' though.

Having said all of this I am a bit of a label snob for my sins and there are some items of clothing made by some companies that are associated with a certain 'class' for want of a better word. Those items wouldn't be deemed smart in my eyes. I'm not looking to cause an argument over this last paragrapgh BTW I'm just hoping you knwo what I mean? y)
#751713 by lockedm
05 Aug 2010, 22:39
This reminds me of a time 6 years or so ago when op-ups were much more plentiful. I was travelling premium and on check-in at Heathrow I was asked if I had smart shoes with me. I was wearing trainers (not too scruffy) and said yes I did in my suitcase. Check-in agent said that if I was prepared to swap trainers for shoes she would be able to upgrade me to Upper. No brainer to change shoes. Can't remember what else I was wearing, but definitely a case of dress being taken in to consideration. Of course, rules may have changed since.
#751717 by Hamster
05 Aug 2010, 22:49
I think virgin have some double standards here.
They're not going to refuse someone with an UC ticket from flying due to what they are wearing (to an extent), but when it comes to upgrades they want a certain level of "class".

I can see where they are coming from, if most UC customers dress to a certain level anyway, staff don't want to make it too obvious if someone has been upgraded for free by standing out because of what they are wearing.

Wow, I hope none of you are on my flight.


I guess the others are just talking about their own personal standards on how they wish to dress, i highly doubt anyone here would complain about other pax on what they wear (unless they look incredibly scruffy...)
#751720 by Ianf71
05 Aug 2010, 22:58
Sad to say but I'm used to degrees of snobbery now. I've lost count of the number of times someone has seen me, heard my Scouse accent, put 2 and 2 together and got 9.

It's especially good when I go to Court and I let the Usher/Receptionist/Security dig a hole for themselves and then say 'no, I'm actually the solicitor' :D

While I'd never dream of wearing scruffy clothes, or a crop top (believe me, NO-ONE wants to see that!) but I'm going to make sure I'm comfortable, and that may mean I'm wearing a pair of smart shorts (not sports kit though) and a t-shirt or rugby-type top.

As a note, when I've been upgraded to PE, I've always had jeans and trainers on - but i always look presentable no matter what I'm wearing! :)
#751725 by Sarahjx
05 Aug 2010, 23:07
aw how lovely for your wife!!!
I wish i could get upgraded, so many people on this forum have flown UC! Ill never be able to afford UC, i can barely afford PE - my BF went crazy when i said ive booked PE Seats, hes only just finished uni, so we have no money! Altho after all this stuff about new planes, i dont know if PE upgrade would of been worth it =( only reason i did it was for more room, i get really air sick and thought i might feel slightly at ease with more room n such.
#751732 by Darren Wheeler
05 Aug 2010, 23:25
Sarahjx

Just tell him he's travelling in Economy and you're have the PE seat.

You should find the less confined area of PE will help and if the worst does happen, then at least you'll have a little more privacy.
#751735 by tontybear
05 Aug 2010, 23:38
Ianf71 wrote:
As a note, when I've been upgraded to PE, I've always had jeans and trainers on - but i always look presentable no matter what I'm wearing! :)


I think thats the main issue Ian - you were presentable.

I have no problem with people wearing the clothes they like but surely it does take something away from the premier experience of being in UC if VS does not maintain some sort of dress codes for people who are essentially getting in there for free with an op-up.

As IguyHD said there is a rule book that mentions 'smart casual' but whats the point if its not being followed?
#751744 by oldboy
06 Aug 2010, 00:02
I have been lucky to have been upgraded 4 times over the years.

1. Flying PE on a companion ticket from HK with a friend who was an AU card holder and we were both upgraded to UC at the gate.

2. My wife & I were flying PE on reward tickets to JFK & were upped to UC at the gate.

3. Our family of 4 were seated in economy ready to take off from Nassau when we were invited to take seats in a near empty
PE cabin.

4. Family of 4 upped at the gate from economy to PE on flight to Havana.

Op Ups 2, 3 & 4 have all happened since I have been an AU card
holder.

oldboy
#751748 by daywalker
06 Aug 2010, 01:25
Ianf71 wrote:Sad to say but I'm used to degrees of snobbery now. I've lost count of the number of times someone has seen me, heard my Scouse accent, put 2 and 2 together and got 9.

It's especially good when I go to Court and I let the Usher/Receptionist/Security dig a hole for themselves and then say 'no, I'm actually the solicitor' :D

While I'd never dream of wearing scruffy clothes, or a crop top (believe me, NO-ONE wants to see that!) but I'm going to make sure I'm comfortable, and that may mean I'm wearing a pair of smart shorts (not sports kit though) and a t-shirt or rugby-type top. I don;t care what is worn by people in flights I'm just trying to work out what Virgin want to see to dish out upgrades.

As a note, when I've been upgraded to PE, I've always had jeans and trainers on - but i always look presentable no matter what I'm wearing! :)


I understand you totally and to clarify my point I was explaining what I would consider 'smart' dress on a plane. You are totally correct in saying you can (and should) wear what you want as long as you are comfortable I have no issue with that at all. I was just trying to find out what Virgin would deem 'smart' by their book against what is deemed 'smart' for flying in my book :)

That being said if I see people in Henleys, Burberry or Stone Island I cringe and that covers my other comment :0
#751751 by RobL
06 Aug 2010, 04:41
I had the pleasure of one of the best upgrades known a fortnight ago.

I was booked on Friday 23/07 MAD-LHR in Y with BA, LHR-SYD in PE with QF and then SYD-MEL inY with QF.

After a lot of faffing in Madrid, how to check me through and print bps, I got checked right through (bags only to SYD). Not a full flight to London so nothing there.

Got to the BA lounge in T3 at 1930 ish and there were no seats so had to sit at the self servcie bar at the back of the lounge. Note bubbles are not self service but if you ask they arrive. So decided to go to gate before the flight was called. Boarding pass scanned, passport checked and the nice gentleman said 'I am afraid your seat assignemnt has been changed - but don't worry you won't be disappointed'. I wasn't - I got upgraded to J upstairs on the 747 and an aisle seat - but only as far as BKK.

On arrival in BKK headed off to the lounge and my boarding passs wouldn't scan. After a few moments of trying other machines, and some Thai smiles, they waved me in. Nice shower and a drink and back to gate. Again my bp wouldn't scan so my passport and bp were put in the heap to be resolved. I heard the guy in front of me being allocated my seat in PE and I was allocated (pre-printed bp) a middle bulkhead seat in J.

I was wearing jeans, a shirt and shoes (not trainers as I was not at the gym ): )(and only seen by outsourced staff in MAD) although the clincher I think was that I am a QF gold FF (not their top level though) and with it being the end of term in the UK the flight was oversold. The lady I sat next to said they were offering GBP400 plus accommodation not to check in.

I had been waitlisted onto the SYD flight the week prior due to a change in work plans. I had never in my wildest dreams imagined that they would upgrade someone from LHR to SYD. Nice though - problem is I will half expect it next time.
#751752 by spiceke
06 Aug 2010, 04:56
As an Au I would be hapy for the FSM just to acknowledge me, never mind an upgrade !

Then again, if those nice people at VS are looking at this, and were to offer me the upgrade tomorrow from UVF then in all conscience I could not turn it down :D . (flew out Upper through miles upgrade at the LGW Clubhouse, but due back in P/E).

I have had the good fortune to be upgraded once - it was the trip to get my Au. I asked at LHR check-in if I could use the Clubhouse as this flight gave me the 40 TP's. The lovely check-in person said 'Don't worry, I have upgraded you and your friend to U/C'. For a moment I thought I heard a choir of angels singing.

Spiceke
#751754 by Jacki
06 Aug 2010, 05:54
Many years ago I turned down a VS upgrade at check in. I was flying with my two children who were wearing smart shorts but the check in said my son (10 at the time) would have to change into long trousers. I just couldn't face re-opening the case and finding somewhere to change them!
#751762 by Ianf71
06 Aug 2010, 08:04
daywalker wrote:
That being said if I see people in Henleys, Burberry or Stone Island I cringe and that covers my other comment :0



I must admit, these fashions seem to be a very Southern trait as people here in Liverpool tend not to wear them - I have never seen the appeal in Burberry as it doesn't actually suit anyone. :)

I was just getting a bit worried as it's my first UC trip in just over a week and I had intended wearing some smart shorts and a rugby-style top - saves changing when i get to MCO as we have to wait for the rest of our party to arrive from Holland.
And I always wear trainers when not working as I spend hours and hours suited and booted and on my feet so it does my feet a favour too!
#751764 by Scrooge
06 Aug 2010, 08:08
Ian, if your on a rev ticket don't worry about it. I always wear shorts/jeans and a comfortable shirt with a pair of trainers, if someone doesn't like the way i dress, oh well, when they pay for my ticket the can tell me how to dress.
#751767 by Ianf71
06 Aug 2010, 08:16
Scrooge wrote:if someone doesn't like the way i dress, oh well, when they pay for my ticket the can tell me how to dress.



Thanks for that Scrooge - it was exactly what I was thinking but this is my first UC flight after years of PE. :D
#751769 by Darren Wheeler
06 Aug 2010, 08:21
It's also about dressing for the climate you'll be in.

It's no fun getting on a winter sun flight dressed like Nanuk of the North when it's 25c at your destination. Even worse when the other way around.
#751777 by daywalker
06 Aug 2010, 09:08
Ianf71 wrote:
daywalker wrote:
That being said if I see people in Henleys, Burberry or Stone Island I cringe and that covers my other comment :0



I must admit, these fashions seem to be a very Southern trait as people here in Liverpool tend not to wear them - I have never seen the appeal in Burberry as it doesn't actually suit anyone. :)

I was just getting a bit worried as it's my first UC trip in just over a week and I had intended wearing some smart shorts and a rugby-style top - saves changing when i get to MCO as we have to wait for the rest of our party to arrive from Holland.
And I always wear trainers when not working as I spend hours and hours suited and booted and on my feet so it does my feet a favour too!


You wear whatever you want and don't worry about it y)
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