FA given upgrade over CPU?
Apr 17, 2014, 10:43 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: COS
Programs: United 1K & 1MM, IHG Plat Elite, Hyatt Gold, Marriott GE, Hertz 5*, National Exec
Posts: 270
FA given upgrade over CPU?
I'm not even sure if I should post this...or if it's been discussed before.
Purchased a pricey M-class, domestic fare out of IAH to destination XXX. Forgot to put in for a RPU, because I was more focused on work.
Departure comes around and I'm 2nd on the list for a CPU. Boarded plane and eventually GA comes through and asks for #1 on the list who, somehow, isn't in his seat or around. GA gives the upgrade to an FA, doesn't even consider 2nd or 3rd on the list.
Now I wasn't all butt-hurt or anything, but given my yearly spend, status, and the $$$$ I spent on the fare, kinda thought it'd be a nice gesture...but I didn't dwell on it.
Turns out there was a GS behind me and more than a few other premier members upset over it.
So...is this something that should be mentioned to UA? (Posted??!)
It was CO staff on board and GA, so...
What say the wise ones here? First time I've ever seen this in 15 years.
Purchased a pricey M-class, domestic fare out of IAH to destination XXX. Forgot to put in for a RPU, because I was more focused on work.
Departure comes around and I'm 2nd on the list for a CPU. Boarded plane and eventually GA comes through and asks for #1 on the list who, somehow, isn't in his seat or around. GA gives the upgrade to an FA, doesn't even consider 2nd or 3rd on the list.
Now I wasn't all butt-hurt or anything, but given my yearly spend, status, and the $$$$ I spent on the fare, kinda thought it'd be a nice gesture...but I didn't dwell on it.
Turns out there was a GS behind me and more than a few other premier members upset over it.
So...is this something that should be mentioned to UA? (Posted??!)
It was CO staff on board and GA, so...
What say the wise ones here? First time I've ever seen this in 15 years.
Apr 17, 2014, 10:49 pm
#2
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
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Posts: 66,857
yes send an email to 1KVoice but the documented record may a different outcome. My guess the GA wanted to get the flight out ad not take the effort to drill down to the next person. And helping a fellow employee was the easy fast solution.The general term for this is "shenanigans."
Apr 17, 2014, 10:50 pm
#3
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: South Florida
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Posts: 705
GAs are only human, often underpaid, and make mistakes... if I were you I'd complain but this story doesn't surprise me in the slightest... the GS probably should have gotten it though
Apr 17, 2014, 11:10 pm
#4
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Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Los Angeles
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Posts: 12,752
I'm not even sure if I should post this...or if it's been discussed before.
Purchased a pricey M-class, domestic fare out of IAH to destination XXX. Forgot to put in for a RPU, because I was more focused on work.
Departure comes around and I'm 2nd on the list for a CPU. Boarded plane and eventually GA comes through and asks for #1 on the list who, somehow, isn't in his seat or around. GA gives the upgrade to an FA, doesn't even consider 2nd or 3rd on the list.
Now I wasn't all butt-hurt or anything, but given my yearly spend, status, and the $$$$ I spent on the fare, kinda thought it'd be a nice gesture...but I didn't dwell on it.
Turns out there was a GS behind me and more than a few other premier members upset over it.
So...is this something that should be mentioned to UA? (Posted??!)
It was CO staff on board and GA, so...
What say the wise ones here? First time I've ever seen this in 15 years.
Purchased a pricey M-class, domestic fare out of IAH to destination XXX. Forgot to put in for a RPU, because I was more focused on work.
Departure comes around and I'm 2nd on the list for a CPU. Boarded plane and eventually GA comes through and asks for #1 on the list who, somehow, isn't in his seat or around. GA gives the upgrade to an FA, doesn't even consider 2nd or 3rd on the list.
Now I wasn't all butt-hurt or anything, but given my yearly spend, status, and the $$$$ I spent on the fare, kinda thought it'd be a nice gesture...but I didn't dwell on it.
Turns out there was a GS behind me and more than a few other premier members upset over it.
So...is this something that should be mentioned to UA? (Posted??!)
It was CO staff on board and GA, so...
What say the wise ones here? First time I've ever seen this in 15 years.
On an M class ticket, surprised you weren't upgraded at time of booking.
Apr 17, 2014, 11:13 pm
#5
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Denver
Posts: 451
yes send an email to 1KVoice but the documented record may a different outcome. My guess the GA wanted to get the flight out ad not take the effort to drill down to the next person. And helping a fellow employee was the easy fast solution.The general term for this is "shenanigans."
Apr 17, 2014, 11:16 pm
#6
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,857
Apr 17, 2014, 11:50 pm
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: COS
Programs: United 1K & 1MM, IHG Plat Elite, Hyatt Gold, Marriott GE, Hertz 5*, National Exec
Posts: 270
Thank you for the replies. I find it extremely difficult to complain about not getting a CPU. Mostly just wanted to know if this was common at all as I've never seen it...guess I know now.
Cheers!
Cheers!
Apr 18, 2014, 12:23 am
#8
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: SAN
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Posts: 1,709
Apr 18, 2014, 6:17 am
#11
Join Date: Nov 2013
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Posts: 6,317
Agreed here. I think it'd be a bigger issue if the GA just skipped over the list entirely. But if they went down to upgrade #1 on the list into the last seat, it's unlikely they had the information with them for #2 and so on, because they weren't expecting to need it with only one seat left. So once they couldn't find that person, it likely wasn't worth the additional time needed to go back up, get the list, see where the next person was seated, walk back down, tell that person, have them move their stuff, etc. Especially if it was getting too close to departure time. All things considered, particularly it being a short domestic flight, I don't think it's a huge issue worth making a real fuss about.
Apr 18, 2014, 7:04 am
#12
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Posts: 50,262
A 1K on an M fare should have trumped a CPU in any event.
But, the fact is that once you board, you have lost your place on the UG list unless you have made specific arrangements w. the GA and the GA has specifically agreed to come find you if you make it.
What you saw here isn't likely shennanigans, but rather exactly why it is a bad idea -- other than for the pax who misses the UG -- to disrupt the boarding process for UG's. Messing around finding people on a list as the clock ticks down is exactly what delays flights.
This is one where, had OP waited at the gate because F had not boarded full, he would have been standing there when the seat came open (and presumably #1 had boarded or not and lost his slot).
But, the fact is that once you board, you have lost your place on the UG list unless you have made specific arrangements w. the GA and the GA has specifically agreed to come find you if you make it.
What you saw here isn't likely shennanigans, but rather exactly why it is a bad idea -- other than for the pax who misses the UG -- to disrupt the boarding process for UG's. Messing around finding people on a list as the clock ticks down is exactly what delays flights.
This is one where, had OP waited at the gate because F had not boarded full, he would have been standing there when the seat came open (and presumably #1 had boarded or not and lost his slot).
Apr 18, 2014, 7:24 am
#13
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Indianapolis
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Gold, HH Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 383
A 1K on an M fare should have trumped a CPU in any event.
But, the fact is that once you board, you have lost your place on the UG list unless you have made specific arrangements w. the GA and the GA has specifically agreed to come find you if you make it.
What you saw here isn't likely shennanigans, but rather exactly why it is a bad idea -- other than for the pax who misses the UG -- to disrupt the boarding process for UG's. Messing around finding people on a list as the clock ticks down is exactly what delays flights.
This is one where, had OP waited at the gate because F had not boarded full, he would have been standing there when the seat came open (and presumably #1 had boarded or not and lost his slot).
But, the fact is that once you board, you have lost your place on the UG list unless you have made specific arrangements w. the GA and the GA has specifically agreed to come find you if you make it.
What you saw here isn't likely shennanigans, but rather exactly why it is a bad idea -- other than for the pax who misses the UG -- to disrupt the boarding process for UG's. Messing around finding people on a list as the clock ticks down is exactly what delays flights.
This is one where, had OP waited at the gate because F had not boarded full, he would have been standing there when the seat came open (and presumably #1 had boarded or not and lost his slot).
Fix the system, not the customer!
Apr 18, 2014, 7:39 am
#14
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: DCA
Programs: UA Gold
Posts: 1,653
A 1K on an M fare should have trumped a CPU in any event.
But, the fact is that once you board, you have lost your place on the UG list unless you have made specific arrangements w. the GA and the GA has specifically agreed to come find you if you make it.
What you saw here isn't likely shennanigans, but rather exactly why it is a bad idea -- other than for the pax who misses the UG -- to disrupt the boarding process for UG's. Messing around finding people on a list as the clock ticks down is exactly what delays flights.
This is one where, had OP waited at the gate because F had not boarded full, he would have been standing there when the seat came open (and presumably #1 had boarded or not and lost his slot).
But, the fact is that once you board, you have lost your place on the UG list unless you have made specific arrangements w. the GA and the GA has specifically agreed to come find you if you make it.
What you saw here isn't likely shennanigans, but rather exactly why it is a bad idea -- other than for the pax who misses the UG -- to disrupt the boarding process for UG's. Messing around finding people on a list as the clock ticks down is exactly what delays flights.
This is one where, had OP waited at the gate because F had not boarded full, he would have been standing there when the seat came open (and presumably #1 had boarded or not and lost his slot).