Originally Posted by yohanson

According to the OP, they took off at least 2 hours late so I guess their on time departure had no bearing on their departure slot. As far as I know, all the GA needs to do is hit a couple of keys to process the upgrades and it will spit out the boarding passes. They could have processed them at T-5 and brought them down with the paperwork and let the FAs hand out the upgraded BPs.

Originally Posted by Navig8R

The flight's on time departure has everything to do with their departure slot. Had the GA's decided to upgrade eight passengers to FC, that could've delayed their push back, thus causing them to be farther back in line for takeoff. OP stated that there were already 40+ planes ahead of them and that was leaving on-time. If they missed their departure slot, the line would've been longer, then you have to consider pilots timing out, etc. The crew, in this case, chose the necessary steps to leave on time in order to avoid further delays. Would the OP rather be seated in first class, but have a much longer delay vs. 3hrs?

The OP also stated that they arrived at the flight during zone 1 boarding. Explain to me why the GA's would waste their time upgrading someone if there is a good possibility they won't even make the flight?

Originally Posted by yohanson

They could have processed them at T-5 and brought them down with the paperwork and let the FAs hand out the upgraded BPs.

Originally Posted by davetravels

Security was CRAYZEE!!! Must've been 100+ people in the regular line - PreCheck had 2 people in line.

Just before boarding, I was asking the RedCoat at the podium about the current policy - YBYL, or pull from Y. I VERY POLITELY told him that I was in the Y door exit row and needed bin space. He said that, the official policy was YBYL, but, he would pull from Y. Cool!

Fast forward to about T-13 or 15. The GA boards and hands the manifest to the lead FA and I heard her say . . . .

We have LOTS of empty seats up front. Security is CRAZY today! If I have to close the door, move these people up - - <and she pointed to what I assume was the UG list on the manifest>.

About T-5, the GA boarded and said to move everyone up. 9 UGs from onboard! Yay! An EXTREMELY lucky day, I'd say!

The GA could have easily given those seats to nonrevs, but she didn't.

The FAs could have easily given those seats to nonrevs after the door closed, and nobody would have been the wiser!

9 onboard UGs - done from a list printed by the GA - - and - - We still left 4 minutes early!! Why can't this be done all the time?!?

Thanx, DL, for keeping your end of the bargain today!

Originally Posted by zedthedeadpoet

Nope. Not true. I've been upgraded many times after I had already boarded and taken my seat in coach.

Originally Posted by readywhenyouare

That is the exception, not the rule. If you board you board the aircraft you have given up your chance at an upgrade. That's the policy.

Originally Posted by Navig8R

The flight's on time departure has everything to do with their departure slot. Had the GA's decided to upgrade eight passengers to FC, that could've delayed their push back, thus causing them to be farther back in line for takeoff. OP stated that there were already 40+ planes ahead of them and that was leaving on-time. If they missed their departure slot, the line would've been longer, then you have to consider pilots timing out, etc. The crew, in this case, chose the necessary steps to leave on time in order to avoid further delays. Would the OP rather be seated in first class, but have a much longer delay vs. 3hrs?

The OP also stated that they arrived at the flight during zone 1 boarding. Explain to me why the GA's would waste their time upgrading someone if there is a good possibility they won't even make the flight?

Originally Posted by FirstInFlight

I'm hoping Widgets will chime in - about the best source of GA information these days.

But in answer to your question - Yes I'd be posses too were I in your shoes.

Originally Posted by yohanson

Typical upgrades for seats vacated by noshows happen at T-15. Zone 1 has usually boarded by then. Pulling upgrades from the rear is done by the other two major domestic airlines all the time and was done by NWA. It doesn't take any longer. Read Davetravels' post. Perhaps some lower Medallions would prefer an F seat to go empty than a DM to get their earned upgrade.

Originally Posted by Navig8R

Yes, Dave's story was nice, but that scenario didn't occur under IROPS, so it doesn't apply in this case.

Originally Posted by stone36

We then sat at the gate for about 20 minutes waiting for congestion to clear so we could back out. We then sat for another 1:40 waiting to take off.

Originally Posted by MSPeconomist

To me, it sounds like a GA's willful refusal to do his/her job, perhaps out of a passive/aggressive desire to give his/her employer's elite customers the finger. IMO the GA should be fired.

Originally Posted by MSPeconomist

To me, it sounds like a GA's willful refusal to do his/her job, perhaps out of a passive/aggressive desire to give his/her employer's elite customers the finger. IMO the GA should be fired.

Originally Posted by longing4piedmont

No surprise here. Your post have a long history of nothing but contempt for the Delta employees.

Originally Posted by davetravels

Sorry, but, as I re-read the OP - twice - it appears that the door closed on time. The only mention of anything related to IROPS is this

Originally Posted by davetravels

I can't even see it being laziness. It's beyond laziness. It has to be a TOTAL non-understanding of Medallion benefits and (so-called) loyalty, IMO.

Originally Posted by MSPeconomist

To me, it sounds like a GA's willful refusal to do his/her job, perhaps out of a passive/aggressive desire to give his/her employer's elite customers the finger. IMO the GA should be fired.

Originally Posted by Navig8R

Exactly. Had they spent the extra time upgrading eight passengers, especially if they were already on board, the flight might have been delayed even more.