AA767400 From United States of America, joined Jan 2001, 2271 posts, RR: 25 Posted (9 years 6 months 4 days 1 hour ago) and read 2736 times:
I have heard on here many times that SQ has a preferential service.
As in, let's treat the Caucasian passengers great, and forget any else
who is not. How true is this? And like all things, it all depends on the
view of the person that is serving you. And I am not making a ("let's
find something wrong with SQ!") kind of topic. Just want to know how
people feel about this in general, and have they experienced any thing
like this?
Qantasclub From Australia, joined Nov 2003, 753 posts, RR: 3 Reply 1, posted (9 years 6 months 3 days 15 hours ago) and read 2626 times:
I've heard this as well, but have never experienced it. It's all anecdotal, really. I mean, there are always some passengers who have a chip on their shoulder about racial prejudices who will always assume the reason they don't get what they expect is because of their race and these are the passengers who will spread stories like that.
I've never had any problem with SQ and I guess you have to say that their service is still, across theboard, the one to beat. I don't think there is any other airline, on a consistent basis that keeps winning so many awards year after year after year; they swept the board at this years business traveller awards again. (and the magazine is NOT based in Singapore). Good on them I say.
Ryanair!!! From Singapore, joined Mar 2002, 4653 posts, RR: 27 Reply 2, posted (9 years 6 months 3 days 14 hours ago) and read 2608 times:
This is more of a chicken or the egg analogy. Asians in general do not respond well to great service received, as compared to an outgoing Caucasian. Coupled that with Singaporeans who board an SQ flight thinking that they own the plane, because they pay sky high prices when they buy the tix in Singapore.
There are a few "troublesome" flights that my friends in SQ hate to fly on like services to India, China... because you get some pretty "interesting" passengers on those flights.
Therefore, it is not surprising that service levels decline a few notches when we are dealing with such specifics. That being said, the same can be observed for Malaysia Airlines because they apparently do not serve Malaysians very well for the same reasons, tix are expensive ex-KUL. So the Malaysians go on board thinking they are KINGS... and the stories goes on and one and on... (told to me by my friends in KL).
Thai doesn't treat Thai pax very well.... On and on... it never ends...
So if the cabin crew on SQ allegedly provides preferential service, I normally ask are we to blame for all these problems? I for one take the time to be nice to the cabin crew first because I know it is not easy being one. But sometimes I think the mindset has been embossed in them "oh no, another Singaporean".
But not all the crew are like that. Some maybe, not all... Some are just nasty, whether you are Caucasian or not! Hehehe... you know who you are!
Welcome to my starry one world alliance, a team in the sky!
Zonks From United States of America, joined Nov 2003, 166 posts, RR: 0 Reply 3, posted (9 years 6 months 3 days 14 hours ago) and read 2562 times:
While I can't say about SQ, I've heard the same thing coming from Hong Kongers about flying CX. I haven't experienced it personally on CX, but I do something think it's weird that I can't always speak Cantonese on CX, just because their FA's come from all across Asia and don't necessarily speak Cantonese.
QANTASBOY From Australia, joined May 2006, 0 posts, RR: 0 Reply 4, posted (9 years 6 months 3 days 14 hours ago) and read 2564 times:
Never from SQ! Some redneck flew and made it up i'm sure! I just cannot see the worlds GREATEST airline and the best service in the sky to be anything like that... As for TG, they hate EVERYONE.. and dont knock CX, there great as well.
Ryanair!!! From Singapore, joined Mar 2002, 4653 posts, RR: 27 Reply 5, posted (9 years 6 months 3 days 14 hours ago) and read 2548 times:
If you realise, even though CX is the carrier of Hongkong, it is always marketed as the airline of "ASIA". The tagline "The Hearbeat of Asia" was used not too long ago in one of their ad campaigns.
Welcome to my starry one world alliance, a team in the sky!
SR 103 From United States of America, joined Sep 2000, 1702 posts, RR: 42 Reply 6, posted (9 years 6 months 3 days 13 hours ago) and read 2514 times:
All I can say is yes it has happened to me on Singapore Airlines. I posted a trip report about it a while back. If you are interested in it, you can search for it.
Now let me say this, it is not something that only happens at Singapore Airlines, but happens on many other airlines as well. Not all cabin crew act this way either, there are only a select few that drag the airlines reputation through the mud. Out of a 100 flight attendants, I am sure 99 of them serve their passengers equally. We should not focus on the 1 bad apple, but rather think of the broader picture. It just depends on your luck.
Qantasclub From Australia, joined Nov 2003, 753 posts, RR: 3 Reply 7, posted (9 years 6 months 3 days 10 hours ago) and read 2446 times:
I'm surprised it happens so often on other carriers as well. perhaps we all have our own prejudices that are latent and sometimes, sub-conscious. For example, we are naturally attracted to good looking people or people with charisma, whether we are aware of it or not, we treat different people differently based on what attracts us to them. For example, a well dressed businessman (ok, lets say he's white-just to be controversial) who demands this and that, would get more attention than an unkempt, quiet, poorly dressed passenger-not always, but in many case. Unfortunately, thats how many of up are conditioned to act.
Overall, SQ is no more prejudiced than any other airline.
I definedlty do take ryanair's point about some locals thinking that they are KINGs, though. We have different expectations of service. Can't please everyone.
LImamura From United States of America, joined Oct 2003, 174 posts, RR: 0 Reply 8, posted (9 years 6 months 3 days 10 hours ago) and read 2422 times:
This is true on EVA too. I know lot of Taiwanese who have been treated as if they don't exist on EVA. Lot of them said that they would rather not fly on EVA because of the service that they receive, they all said that if you are not Taiwanese you will surely receive good service. I found this very funny at first that Taiwanese people does not want to fly their own national airline. I would have thought that EVA would want to treat their own citizens better than non citizens. Go figure.
Aviasian From Singapore, joined Jan 2001, 1453 posts, RR: 16 Reply 9, posted (9 years 6 months 3 days 10 hours ago) and read 2404 times:
I am as Asian as can be . . . and I have flown countless SIA services since 1981 . . . and I have never encountered "discriminated" service. On a recent flight from BKK to SIN, I was seated among the most unruly group of passengers from a Northeast Asian nation . . . yet the crew attended to them with the greatest of patience and courtesy. I was truly impressed with that.
I have actually experienced discriminated service on an airline whose crew thought I was one of her fellow countryman . . . but when she realised I was not, the level of service suddenly was very good. I was truly unimpressed with that.
Airlines do have their occasional lapse in service . . . enough to give passengers an impression (rightly or wrongly).
Ex_SQer From United States of America, joined Apr 2002, 1435 posts, RR: 6 Reply 10, posted (9 years 6 months 3 days 9 hours ago) and read 2346 times:
I think Ryanair!!!'s answer hit the nail on the head. A smile, a little chitchat and some interaction goes a long way, and I know that from my flights on SQ - both as rev and nonrev - in all classes. Not once has an FA failed to respond to this interaction. I once flew with my parents, and they were seated behind me and they got somewhat colder treatment because they weren't chatty at all.
Anecdotally, I flew nonrev on CX in Business once - it was a pretty empty cabin and most of the crew gravitated towards me because I was chatty with them. And yes, I am Asian and there were caucasian paxs in the cabin. And even on AF I had an FA coming back with croissants on a short early morning CDG-LHR run - and he didn't offer them to anyone else in my section of the Y cabin. Actually, now that I think about it, I think he fancied me
9V-SPK From Hong Kong, joined Aug 2001, 1646 posts, RR: 6 Reply 11, posted (9 years 6 months 3 days 7 hours ago) and read 2268 times:
Aviasian's comments are rather the same as mines, I've never had anyone discrimating me on my flights.
I just flew on SQ last thursday, and on the SYD - SIN sector the service was impeccable. The flight stewardess Sylvia was great, she was always at my service - without chatting in the first few hours, but later she asked me if I as a staff. I told her I'm related to someone, and i was surprised that even she knew I was staff-travel passenger (Before, only the inflight supervisor knows), it was amazing that throughout the flight I felt so relaxed and thought that she had no idea I was staff-travel (She even offered to make the bed for me, which in the past trips I had was not offered to staff!) I asked her would she treat non-rev passengers less good, and she told me she won't and think that is inappropriate, but she agrees that some F.A's might think that upgrades or non-rev passengers in premium classes are sometimes, indeed bothering.
We even took photos after chatting for quite sometime (well, only 2 more passengers were on that flight), and with another flight steward. Their service was something that I really admired, though on most of my flights the service on SQ are topnotch, it was quite sometime since I've really appreciated the service provided by the crew on a certain flight.
All I can say is, there are staff out there that are not aiming to help the customers as possible as they could, rather they just want the flight to end as soon as possible. I'm always feeling lucky that I've always encountered staff that are willing to serve from their hearts, not only in F and J, but also the case in Y, and this is my opinion after flying on SQ numerous times.
And that's why I always "interact; with the crew haha both physically and mentally...j/k
Chrisrad From Australia, joined Dec 2000, 1006 posts, RR: 9 Reply 12, posted (9 years 6 months 3 days 6 hours ago) and read 2197 times:
I've never had any problem with SQ and I guess you have to say that their service is still, across theboard, the one to beat. I don't think there is any other airline, on a consistent basis that keeps winning so many awards year after year after year; they swept the board at this years business traveller awards again. (and the magazine is NOT based in Singapore). Good on them I say.
That's why they have come 9th in the 2003 Best Cabin Staff awards? While they came 4th in Airline of the Year........While airlines like Malaysia Airlines have won Best Cabin Staff 2001,2002, 2003. Really shows that their service is slipping.
Welcome aboard Malaysia Airlines! Winner of Best Cabin Staff 2001,2002,2003,2004,2007,2009,2012
Ryanair!!! From Singapore, joined Mar 2002, 4653 posts, RR: 27 Reply 13, posted (9 years 6 months 3 days 6 hours ago) and read 2195 times:
Then again, I have received the "allegedly" preferential service on MAS more than a few times when the crew in Golden Club Class found out that I was Singaporean. They never fail to be extra nice to me knowing that they had poached me away from SQ! Hehehehe...
For instance, on MH 134 BNE-KUL on a 777-200 GC Class, since the cabin was rather empty. A stewardess Wendy struck up a conversation with me while serving me a drink. It went on to where I was going and when I told her Singapore... she was like "You mean you are Singaporean?".
She seemed amazed that I, as a Singaporean, would fly MAS and even more delighted when she found out that I was an FF with Enrich. She actually sat down next to me and yakked for quite a bit. Not that I was complaining! Even offered to show me KL as she was off the next few days!
After landing, the supervisor, Amir, from that flight actually came over and addressed me by my name and shook my hands, thanked me for flying MAS. Cool huh? For those MAS frequent flyers, have you experienced this before?
This happened more than a few times on other flights in Golden Club Class when the crew found out that I was Singaporean, they became extra nice to me. Maybe i am sensitive, but are there any MAS crew in this forum? Hello?
Welcome to my starry one world alliance, a team in the sky!
Bustaphil From Austria, joined Nov 2003, 120 posts, RR: 0 Reply 14, posted (9 years 6 months 3 days 5 hours ago) and read 2151 times:
Ryanair!!!
It seems that you had quite good experiences on MH! I unfortunately experienced something different! I was booked on a flight from KUL via SIN to MEL with SQ. Unfortunately the commuter flight was canceled and all the grounded pax going to MEL were rebooked on MH. Due to the fact that most of SQ pax had to sit in the middle of the 772 you could easily identify the SQ pax! The result was the rudest (I'm not exaggerating about this!) and unfriendliest service you could imagine (I'm not going to go into detail about this!)! I think the most patient crews are on SQ and CX!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The phoniest and most high nosed crews are on European airlines!
StarG From Indonesia, joined Mar 2003, 197 posts, RR: 0 Reply 18, posted (9 years 6 months 3 days 1 hour ago) and read 1979 times:
9V-SPK:
Hey, why not?
Maybe just go easy on the usuals but highlight unusual observations.. if you are worried about people getting bored. I won't be, for one.
Pictures are always appreciated.
Mandala499 From Indonesia, joined Aug 2001, 6181 posts, RR: 74 Reply 19, posted (9 years 6 months 3 days ago) and read 1944 times:
This kind of things DO happen. However, it is not a policy.
I've seen flights where this "preferential" thing doesn't appear, and have experienced the full blow of it!
SR103, It just depends on your luck
I must have had real bad luck then !
Qantasclub, For example, a well dressed businessman (ok, lets say he's white-just to be controversial) who demands this and that, would get more attention than an unkempt, quiet, poorly dressed passenger-not always, but in many case.
How about a case of the reverse, a backpacker next to an asian pax in business attire... Unfortunately, in the cases I've seen of this, both of them loose out !
I flew SQ many times, although not as much as Aviasian and some of you here. I've had both good flights, and bad flights. I don't expect much from flights, however...
1. when I'm denied alcohol when the caucasian pax next to me is allowed to get drunk, something's not right...
2. When I ask for registration of an aircraft and gets into a fight over legality of a pax knowing the registration of the aircraft he/she's on and an SQ F/A from my nationality comes up 5 minutes later quietly with a drink, apologising about her colleague's behaviour towards Indonesians, something is wrong...
3. When a leading F/A hits her junior with sandals in front of passengers, something is wrong...
BUT, this doesn't mean the whole airline is bad. I just seem to have worse luck than others. I've had very very good flights on them. Unfortunately, the bad ones tend to stick in my mind a little bit longer.
Qantasboy, your reply #4 and in other threads regarding this subject makes me get a little worried about your sanity. Perhaps you should work in the SQ Complaints Department
These things happen, not just to SQ, but to other airlines too!
ExSQer... Well, a little attempt to chat with them goes a long way in finding out how your flight will end up! The really cold ones give you worse treatment if you try and have a little chat!
In response to Ryanair's reply #13, I thought I'd post a funny occurence I've had on SQ...
I once had a horrible flight from SYD to SIN, and I wasn't looking forward to the short SIN-CGK flight. I was the first to board thanks to the now expired KF Gold , and just as I got into the Y class section, an F/A called my name and said... "What happened? You had a bad flight from Sydney?" A huge hug and a quick peck on the cheek followed That was the first time I met my friend from SQ while she was on duty... Well, the F/A or dragon lady in red wasn't very pleased ! :D:D That flight ended up as one of the best (albeit unfairly )
Ryanair, HELLO SIRR ! WERCOME OOOO'BORD SIR.. BWhahahahahahhahaha ! That brings back funny memories ! Bwahahahhaaha That made my day !
Mandala499
When losing situational awareness, pray Cumulus Granitus isn't nearby !
SQ772 From Singapore, joined Nov 2001, 1792 posts, RR: 5 Reply 20, posted (9 years 6 months 1 day 12 hours ago) and read 1835 times:
Ryanair's reply #16 :
Somehow, after spending a couple of my 'youthful' years with this particular airline, and seeing the boarding process done a thousand times, I've never actually witnessed any sudden enthusiasm whenever an 'ang moh' boards the aircraft. In most cases, the crew would tell passengers (ang moh or locals) that their seat is at the 'udder side', but occasionally, they would take do the full 'welcome' to passengers regardless to race, language or religion....I've seen them giving the full works to Singaporeans many times.
I've heard of this preferential treatment given to non-Singaporeans since I was a kid, but I have never personally experienced it myself. On any given flight, the crew are either consistently nasty (nasty by Asian standards, not to be confused with US carriers' definition of nasty ) to everyone, or angelic to everyone.
The only occasions when I see preferential treatment given were to mothers with kids/infants...but I didn't want to fight with the kids for attention
That said, service standards, and the overall presentation of their service has slipped in recent times.
AlekToronto From Canada, joined Nov 2003, 328 posts, RR: 0 Reply 22, posted (9 years 6 months 1 hour ago) and read 1714 times:
hey guys!
I have travelled all the airlines mentioned above and find that in almost all cases that if you smile and treat the crew with respect you will get respect in return - this applies to myself and all my friends of all racial backgrounds.
To say that they treat asians differently is a broad statement - I would say that many cabin crew will not dot or help out passengers that are difficult, rude, etc..and that does happen quite often on Asian flights...Asian passengers (esp. Singaporeans) are quite well known for being demanding and difficult..seen it too many times myself to doubt that.
I wonder why so many people complain about the way flight attendants act. In my experiences they are almost always professional...more than you can say for most passengers.
cheers.
btw. no I am not a flight attendant or am in any way related to a flight attendant!
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