Well... wow. I had to "like" this post because it honestly is the funniest thing I have read in quite some time. So way off track it's.. well... lol.
For the record I am NOT, nor have I ever been a FA (in fact my skillset at helping in an emergency would be marginal and definitely far worse than the FA you interacted with, whatever his proficency level
) nor have I ever worked for an airline or PR agency. I'm not sure if I should be flattered by your suggestion or not though. Will puzzle that one out over lunch.
You've jumped to these conclusions because I've called out ONE aspect of your story.. but you've conveniently ignored the rest of the comments I made regarding your description of events that I agreed with as being poor, dsrespectful (suggesting you were being selfish) and so on. I'm not sure how that makes me a PR spin doctor or defender of all things QF (which I am not).
For the record, I have just requalied for my 5th year of Platinum One, and I also hold United "1K" status which sort of the equipvalent of QF Platinum. I've been a self funded traveller for well over 30 years. Not that I'm trying to play a game of "mine's bigger than yours" but since you made a point of mentioning your status an dhow much you paid for your J seats, it seems only fair to qualify my flying experience.
And my levels are fa inferior to many in this forum.
by the way you did not, by your own admission, "mind you rown business" at all.. you (reasonably) asked if you and your wife could move seats due to the stench of the poorly cleaned mess. You then touched the crew member and said (your words) "wait a minute"...
THIS IS MY POINT!
I understand you feel attacked because folks (not just myself) have pointed out your actions. I fully realise your action was not MEANT in any way to restrain or impede the crew member as you felt you were being fobbed off after being rudely talked to, and from your point of view the matter was not over.. but it's very clear on every flight I have ever been on that crew (let alone other pax you do not know) should not be touched at all.
Again, this was simply the thing I was pointing out. You're obviously defensive on this issue and I understand that, but given the FA did then go on to "threaten" you with arrest it's not that unreasonable for them to react that way.
I liken airline crew (or anyone really who I interact with in a professional way, as a customer etc) kind of like sporting umpires or referees... you just can't touch them or make any contact with them (let alone abuse them). In the AFL for example players cop fines and suspensions for this kind of thing. I'm not too sure about other codes like soccer or cricket, but I'm almost certain there are similar rules.
That's what I was pointing out.
Or, to bring back to your customer service orientation that you profess to have and sales traning background.. if a salesperson doing their job was touched or held by a customer would that then be acceptable? Does the staff member not have the right to expect to work in an environment free of intimidation and unwanted contact from a customer, coworker etc?
Again, do not take these comments to mean I think you were deliberately intimidating this crew member, or acted in a threatening mannr.. I was not there but all that really matters is how the crew member reacted that he clearly felt uncomfortable and/or threatened by the act of you touching him to try to continue the conversation. In most enviroonments that contact would be frowned upon.
It's a pity you don't seem to acknowledge that this is a serious issue, despite your background in customer seervice.
Again though, I'd love for some of the real employees (pilots etc) in this group to weigh in on this issue from their point of view. eg:
jb747.
Still, I thank you for the highly amusing speculation and "exposure" - though I suspect your reaction and accusation reflects more on your sensitivity.
PS: I did once apply for an IT job with Ansett back in the late 90's. I'm really glad I didn't get that role in retrospect
That's as close as I've ever come to airline or travel industry employment