Internation Restrictions for Uniformed Crew

[Soulfly00]

Hey,

Have any of you traveled within the borders of the EU in uniform? I'm wondering if there is a similar policy that you are exempt from the whole liquids thing, if you are traveling in uniform. Not a big deal I suppose, because if I must check my bag, then so be it. Just curious. I will be traveling on some airline called Central Wings from Rome (Ciampano) to Lodz, Poland.

Thanks!

 

[lurker]

Hey,

Have any of you traveled within the borders of the EU in uniform? I'm wondering if there is a similar policy that you are exempt from the whole liquids thing, if you are traveling in uniform. Not a big deal I suppose, because if I must check my bag, then so be it. Just curious. I will be traveling on some airline called Central Wings from Rome (Ciampano) to Lodz, Poland.

Thanks!

Just a heads up....One of my co-workers was recently commercialling on a full fare ticket from the US to CDG (maybe it was the other way....I can't remember) on Air France, and opted to wear his uniform to avoid the usual hassles. He was told that since he wasn't working the flight, he couldn't wear the uniform. He had to make a mad scramble to get his bag, and do the Superman routine in the bathroom to make the flight.

This was the first case like this I have ever heard of, and I have no idea how many other airlines might have this (retarded) policy. Hopefully this was just an isolated incident and not a company-wide policy.

Good luck

 

[GogglesPisano]

I commercial a lot and always wear a uniform. You are:

1) Less likely to be forced to check a bag in the US.
2) Less likely to have stuff confiscated. The Germans tried to take away my maglight once despite my ID -- I was not in uniform.
3) More likely to be asked if you'd like to go to the head of the line at security.
4) You will almost always be expected to utilize the crew line at customs.

Despite the uncomfortable questions from pax and the physical discomfort of wearing the uniform, I think the pro's outway the cons.

Plus everyone overseas calls you "captain" even though you only have 3 stripes.

 

[Thedude]

Answer

Yes you are hasteled less if you are in uniform at a foreign destination and you will exempt from the liquid ban, at least from what I have seen so far.

As far as traveling on a foreign carrier in uniform. Forget it. I travel regularly on a company paid ticket to Europe and when I get to the gate agent to process my ticket for boarding, the computer always beeps and gives the message to make sure that I am NOT in uniform.

Not a big deal to most for losing you bag for a day or two but for me that would mean the bag would be chasing me for more than a week and that is not going to happen when I go to work.

As far as utilizing the crew line at airports. You better know your airport or have a crew manifest in hand, cause it ain't gonna fly/

 

[Non Union]

Hey Goober? Are you making the switch from cargo to pax?

I didn't think you had it inya?

 

[Hugh Jorgan]

I always wear my uniform now when I jumpseat or DH, foreign carriers or not. The only hassle I EVER get is when I'm not wearing a uniform. I've never been told I couldn't wear mine. I'm regularly whisked to the front of security and other lines. I always go to the crew line for immigration when I'm in uniform and have never been hassled. In fact, I'm posting this from an international airport, waiting for a jumpseat...in uniform. However, it's getting harder for me to be polite when the obligatory funny guy walks up to me and says "shouldn't you be up front?".

Just curious to know what airports/airlines I should be ready to be told that my uniform isn't allowed.

Actually, I did get a hassle one time in Jamaica by the rasta immigration bizatch for using the crew immigration line. Three flights show up at lunchtime and there's like one window open. After about an 45 minutes, I left my buds and told them I was going through the crew line and would have cold ones ready on the other side. This lady who was half-asleep with nobody in her crew line gives me crap for it and proceeded to tear into my bags....I hope she enjoyed that beef jerky....hmmpff

 

[Thedude]

I can tell you first hand that KLM, Air France, Kenya Airlines, Lan Chile and LuxAir do not allow you to ride in the back in uniform. It says it right on the bottom of my ticket and the note always pops up at the gate. I hear the middle eastern carriers, Asiana, Korean and Air Macau are the same way but I don't have first hand knowledge.

In airports that do not have passport control between international and domestice flights, they will not allow you to use the crew line WITHOUT a crew dec or manifest. I have tried it in Korea and mainand China. Places like AMS will allow you to you the crew line at passport control.

I have taken to traveling in uniform as much as possible now, thanks to the silly liquids ban and now the the liquid ban has hit Europe.

Just had my f/e loose his bad while making the connection in that abortion of an airport at CDG, luckily he got it before we departed for work.