Blimey - a thread that combines the two most (unbelievably) emotive subjects in air travel - staff perks and upgrades - and is renowned to ably illustrate contributors true colours.

All I can say is - if you think travelling as serving staff is stressful, try it as the son of retired staff (although the only redeeming feature was the date of joining...)! HKG-LHR on a jump by 4L was the low point, LHR-JFK on the Rocket the high...