I was really disappointed when I realised that even after my PhD, neither Scandinavian Airlines or KLM would let me change my title from Ms to Dr Walker. However, British Airways would have been happy to oblige. I could have chosen Her Highness or President as my title with British Airways. I wonder whether people who choose titles like Crown Princess or Contessa are still allowed to fly economy? (via Boing Boing)
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mjones
I was advised by a travel agent to use “Ms.” or I’d be asked by flight attendants to save people having heart attacks and whatnot.
Johndan
Or you could sign up for United’s Frequent Flyer program. You could be a Cardinal or a Swami, among other things.
(The only person I make call me “Dr.” is my daughter.)
Jill
Anja once told me (possibly jokingly, though I took it seriously at the time – can you remember this Anja?) that after she put Dr on her Frequent Flyer card and on her tickets, she was upgraded more often and was generally given better service.
That’s in Germany. Perhaps they have more respect for, uh, education there.
There are many good things about living in a country where it’s a matter of principle to treat everyone the same no matter what. Sure, in the service industry that means treating everyone equally badly, but the welfare state, the equal rights, the free tuition and all that mostly works out pretty well.
I probably would sign up with British Airways or United, actually, if only one of them (or a code-sharing ally) would provide direct flights from Bergen to Abroad. Alas, SAS and KLM are my only choices in that regard.
Alina
It has to be something to do with “likestilling” when it comes to SAS. The same reason why the King rides the bus and the Princess was denied to accept this wow-expencive hoarse as a gift.
datacloud
Honorific Overload
Boing-boing points to the immense number of titles in the dropdown list at United Airline’s Mileage Plus sign-up: Coincidentally, jill/txt llaments that she can’t change her title to “Dr.” on Scandanavian Airlines or KLM (althou…
datacloud
Honorific Overload
Boing-boing points to the immense number of titles in the dropdown list at United Airline’s Mileage Plus sign-up. Coincidentally, jill/txt laments that she can’t change her title to “Dr.” on Scandanavian Airlines or KLM (althoug…