I used to envy those who got free upgrades and always sat in first or had an exit row. Then I became a FF and got the perks and envied those who didn't have to travel two or three times a week. You flew the miles so you definitely earned the perks regardless of who footed the bill for the ticket.

Now I no longer have FF status *cough* GROUP 6 *cough*, but am still that guy boarding after the last person in first. You just have to look like you are PLATINUM or EXECPLAT. Well, your boarding pass does anyway.