Life Silver Recognition? Nope accused of made up crime and threatened with arrest..

[rikkitikkitavi]

So having reached life silver in six years of work travel I didn't have high hopes for the "perks", so when I was approached by a crew member after take off (SYD->PER) I thought, maybe I get a little pat on the head for my milestone? Not so, I was accused of filming the safety demonstration, told this is a federal crime and he would contact the Federal Police who would be waiting for me.
This came as a suprise as I had been typing a work email on my phone during the demo (I fly more than some pilots, I have internalised their procedures), had not disobeyed any crew instructions or argued with them.
All I can think of I is that I was asked to sit down while boarding and politely pointed out that was impossible until the old man who had mistakenly sat in my seat got out of my way, is that enough for QF staff to try falsely accuse one of being a criminal?

Of course the crew member was in no way polite or discrete, getting louder and louder as I would not admit guilt and pointed out he was entirely wrong, unprofessional, and I was condering taking legal action. He made a scene to the point where the lady behind me one seat across the isle piped up and mentioned they she'd seen me writing emails and had not done any filming, by which time everyone was staring at me trying to see what was happening.

At which point "employee of the month" started to deflate a little and said he would make a record that I had been complained about, but a witness had said I wasn't filiming, I couldn't help but ask him if the police were still coming so I could contact my solicitors, he glared at me and said they would not be coming.

I spoke to a friend who is a QF international pilot, he said there was no such law about filming crew on a aircraft, only perhaps if you where given a contrived safety direction not to do so might there be an issue (which was not the case here). I spoke to some friends in the legal profession who said I should keep my options open depending how Qantas responds, and see how all the distress affects me.

Anyone else here ever been threatened with arrest by cabin crew, was there any preamble to see what was actually going or just straight up swinging? Who is best to complain to, through the website?

Btw, I have flown with qantas literally from about 7 months old, was WP for four years, SG about three years, just transitioning from EK SG back to QF, was taking min 8 flights a month on various airlines and never been treated like this...

 

[Kerrodt]

If you’re confident of your situation write a formal complaint to the airline, mentioning the seat number of the nearby witness, and the name of the crew member concerned.

I’ve never heard of this degree of behaviour before. Seems unbelievable.

 

[rikkitikkitavi]

Whelp it's true, I really couldn't think of something stupider if I was trying. That's what I'm planning to do.

 

[RooFlyer]

Sounds extraordinary. Do the travelling public a favour and definitely write to the airline saying what happened, with details, and definitely ask for a written response. Better, with the connections you seem to have, find out the name of your local state manager and make an appointment to see him/her. I did that when I had a major issue with Qantas (not as serious as yours) and it got resolved very well.

I wonder if we might get some 'I think the passenger is wrong /exaggerating / must be their fault' here ...

 

[rikkitikkitavi]

Sounds extraordinary. Do the travelling public a favour and definitely write to the airline saying what happened, with details, and definitely ask for a written response. Better, with the connections you seem to have, find out the name of your local state manager and make an appointment to see him/her. I did that when I had a major issue with Qantas (not as serious as yours) and it got resolved very well.

I wonder if we might get some 'I think the passenger is wrong /exaggerating / must be their fault' here ...

Yup that's an idea if I don't get a satisfactory response, a friend works in their cooperate office so they should be able to look up an email for someone who's not a call centre minion.

I'm flying to NZ in J at the end of the week, will interesting to see if there's any ramifications either way.

 

[kpc]

I don't think it is Qf specific but crew specific! A couple of years ago, I was flying from Syd-Zqn on Va...about 20 mins before landing, I had a strong urge to use the bathroom so i went to use the forward bathroom which the FA had just finished cleaning - . she told me to use the rear bathroom so i headed there....midway, another FA aggressively told me that I could not use the rear bathroom as we were landing soon (seat belt sign was not yet on), so I ignored him and continued towards the bathroom; he yelled at me that he would have me arrested at Zqn for disobeying a FA's orders, and i replied I was only following the orders of the other FA and went and used the rear bathroom. When i got out, I approached him to get his name to make a formal complaint but he interjected by saying he had contacted the other FA who confirmed she had directed me to use the rear bathroom, and he apologised half heartedly for a "communcation error"....as he apologised, i didn't take any further!

 

[BAM1748]

When ever anyone tells me they will call the police I ask them to. Telling them I'm happy to wait while real law enforcement arrives sorts it out.

Keep calm and rational, some people just can't help themselves. sociopaths are everywhere.

 

[rikkitikkitavi]

I don't think it is Qf specific but crew specific! A couple of years ago, I was flying from Syd-Zqn on Va...about 20 mins before landing, I had a strong urge to use the bathroom so i went to use the forward bathroom which the FA had just finished cleaning - . she told me to use the rear bathroom so i headed there....midway, another FA aggressively told me that I could not use the rear bathroom as we were landing soon (seat belt sign was not yet on), so I ignored him and continued towards the bathroom; he yelled at me that he would have me arrested at Zqn for disobeying a FA's orders, and i replied I was only following the orders of the other FA and went and used the rear bathroom. When i got out, I approached him to get his name to make a formal complaint but he interjected by saying he had contacted the other FA who confirmed she had directed me to use the rear bathroom, and he apologised half heartedly for a "communcation error"....as he apologised, i didn't take any further!

Yeah def sounds like power games/ not wanting to pretend to clean the loo again rather than a real safety issue, I'm sure lots of these bad apples skate along because people are too busy to properly complain anout them.

 

[rikkitikkitavi]

When ever anyone tells me they will call the police I ask them to. Telling them I'm happy to wait while real law enforcement arrives sorts it out.

Keep calm and rational, some people just can't help themselves. sociopaths are everywhere.

Yup me too, most make the threat idly for a power trip to feel important, if I really thought someone was breaking the law to that extent I wouldn't tell them I was calling the police in case they run away or retaliate.

 

[miggidy]

I was once greeted by federal police as JQ staff accused my 2 year old daughter of drawing on a tray table. She was actually sick (we ended up in hospital) and slept the entire way. It took the people sitting next to me to confirm this. The police were not impressed by the "non event". I can certainly understand how a false accusation can make you feel.

I wouldn't hold your breath for any recognition as lifetime silver. Most people on here a WP/P1 with lifetime gold and fly 8+ flights a week. I know I'm not shown any recognition apart from the platinum handcuffs

 

[BenSQ380]

as I had been typing a work email on my phone during the demo

I can't claim to have flown more often than pilots and I don't know the script verbatim. My take is that if the cabin crew ask that we pay attention to the safety demonstration then to do so would be to follow their instructions. To not do what they ask of you is to not follow their instructions.

In other words, had you done what the crew had asked - paid attention to the safety briefing - you wouldn't have been told off.

 

[rikkitikkitavi]

I was once greeted by federal police as JQ staff accused my 2 year old daughter of drawing on a tray table. She was actually sick (we ended up in hospital) and slept the entire way. It took the people sitting next to me to confirm this. The police were not impressed by the "non event". I can certainly understand how a false accusation can make you feel.

I wouldn't hold your breath for any recognition as lifetime silver. Most people on here a WP/P1 with lifetime gold and fly 8+ flights a week. I know I'm not shown any recognition apart from the platinum handcuffs

You'd hope they would have charged the staff for wasting police time unless you had been witnessed actively directing her to pull the seat apart and giving her cans of industrial spray paint... Hopefully your daughter didn't really pick up what was happening and further impact her health.

I suppose they are so confident of the lure of the SYD/MEL F lounge they feel free to treat even their most loyal customers like cough haha. I know if I had a business where a customer spent over $30k a year I'd be very nice to them.

 

[rikkitikkitavi]

I can't claim to have flown more often than pilots and I don't know the script verbatim. My take is that if the cabin crew ask that we pay attention to the safety demonstration then to do so would be to follow their instructions. To not do what they ask of you is to not follow their instructions.

In other words, had you done what the crew had asked - paid attention to the safety briefing - you wouldn't have been told off.

No these days it's a suggestion not a enforced requirement, and it had absolutely nothing to do with my complaint. Even if that had been their beef you don't open with "do we have a problem here mate, do I have to have the Federal Police meet you at airport", unless a passenger has clearly done something very serious.

 

[BenSQ380]

No these days it's a suggestion not a enforced requirement, and it had absolutely nothing to do with my complaint. Even if that had been their beef you don't open with "do we have a problem here mate, do I have to have the Federal Police meet you at airport", unless a passenger has clearly done something very serious.

Do you have a list of what are suggestions vs enforced requirements? You were using your phone during the safety demonstration, so I can't see how you can say it had nothing to do with your complaint. FWIW the crew's reaction seems OTT - you have no argument from me on that front.

I fly a fair bit and just made LTS myself but I always do what the crew asks whether I perceive it is a suggestion or command aka enforced requirement. Even if I'm on quiz question 16, I shut the mag, shut up and pay attention.

 

[rikkitikkitavi]

Do you have a list of what are suggestions vs enforced requirements? You were using your phone during the safety demonstration, so I can't see how you can say it had nothing to do with your complaint. FWIW the crew's reaction seems OTT - you have no argument from me on that front.

I fly a fair bit and just made LTS myself but I always do what the crew asks whether I perceive it is a suggestion or command aka enforced requirement. Even if I'm on quiz question 16, I shut the mag, shut up and pay attention.

Look if you're happy being a door mat that's your issue. Unless you are directed to do something under the relevant act it is a suggestion about which a civil conversation can be had. You are not pressed into blind servitude upon boarding a plane. Again the cabin crew member did not make any mention of inattention perceived or otherwise during what passes for a safety demo these days, you are arguing about something that did not occur.

If it was a problem they'd spend the whole flight ticking people off...

 

[BenSQ380]

Look if you're happy being a door mat that's your issue. Unless you are directed to do something under the relevant act it is a suggestion about which a civil conversation can be had. You are not pressed into blind servitude upon boarding a plane. Again the cabin crew member did not make any mention of inattention perceived or otherwise during what passes for a safety demo these days, you are arguing about something that did not occur.

If it was a problem they'd spend the whole flight ticking people off...

Well that escalated. Doing what is reasonably requested of me by employees of a company that is flying me at 38,000ft so that I don’t have to come on here and sook about being told off is my choice. Just as you’ve made your choice clear.

Their requests are reasonable - your assertion of blind servitude is not.

Their reaction to your situation as you’ve conveyed it was not reasonable.

 

[rikkitikkitavi]

Well that escalated. Doing what is reasonably requested of me by employees of a company that is flying me at 38,000ft so that I don’t have to come on here and sook about being told off is my choice. Just as you’ve made your choice clear.

Their requests are reasonable - your assertion of blind servitude is not.

Their reaction to your situation as you’ve conveyed it was not reasonable.

I'll try one last time, they did not tell me off for failing to intently observe the demo, if they had politely asked me to pay attention, I would have done so. They threatened to have me arrested for filming the safety demo (which I didn't do), of course if that accusation was true then how could I have not paid attention to it if I was filming?!

I would encourage you to read up on a straw man argument. If not troll elsewhere.

 

[travellerqff]

I know it wasn’t your fault that someone was occupying your seat in the first instance, but I’ve witnessed at least on three occasions where cabin crew have come close to/lost their patience while waiting for the final passenger to take their allocated seat.

Perhaps in your case, the cabin crew were already salty about this - and seeing you using your phone during the demo led to the assumption of being filmed after already assuming you were irritated over being told to take your seat in the first place.

To me it just sounds like a bad day for the cabin crew member, and I don’t think that is acceptable, especially when it creates an unnecessary scene.

 

[rikkitikkitavi]

I know it wasn’t your fault that someone was occupying your seat in the first instance, but I’ve witnessed at least on three occasions where cabin crew have come close to/lost their patients while waiting for the final passenger to take their allocated seat.

Perhaps in your case, the cabin crew were already salty about this - and seeing you using your phone during the demo led to the assumption of being filmed after already assuming you were irritated over being told to take your seat in the first place.

To me it just sounds like a bad day for the cabin crew member, and I don’t think that is acceptable, especially when it creates an unnecessary scene.

Yeah unless a passenger is being outrageously out of line (in which case I'll volunteer to help subdue and tie them up!) an initial polite approach doesn't cost anything to find out what's actually happening.

 

[BenSQ380]

I'll try one last time, they did not tell me off for failing to intently observe the demo, if they had politely asked me to pay attention, I would have done so. They threatened to have me arrested for filming the safety demo (which I didn't do), of course if that accusation was true then how could I have not paid attention to it if I was filming?!

I would encourage to read up on a straw man argument. If not troll elsewhere.

I wasn’t suggesting they told you off for failing to intently observe the demo. I was suggesting that if you had not been using your phone during the demo then none of this would have happened. I don’t know how I could make that clearer short of busting out the crayons and clapping out the syllables.

The fact is they did politely ask you (and all pax) to pay attention which you would know from your “internalisation of their procedures.” It’s something along the lines of “even if you have flown with us before, we ask that you please pay attention...”

I am not trolling - I would just like to have fellow passengers being compos mentis in the event of an incident and I think a refresher on the safety dem at the start of the flight is part of that. It’s just my opinion as someone who takes responsibility for their own actions. In other words, give me a choice of being In an incident where all pax paid attention vs all pax did not and it’d be the former.

Congrats on the LTS and, again, I share your view re the overreaction of the crew.