This morning, the MP team replied to my last-minute email request about the lunch and confirmed that seats were still available, so I didn't feel like I was crashing the event when I arrived.

Each table seated seven or eight people, and mine had a First Officer. The table next to us had a Captain. AS execs, managers, and other staff were scattered throughout the room.

The hotel catering the event offered Coke products, not Jones Soda.

One of the MVPG members in the room was a million miler. During the Q&A session, the VP at the podium mentioned that around 250 people are million milers with AS. Once you pass 300K lifetime miles, a progress bar will appear on your MP account summary page.

AS estimates that about 2,500 MVPG will have enough EQM to be MVPG75K when it is launched.

AS is moving its gates to the DL terminal at LAX, which takes the dreaded bus ride out of the equation on connecting segments.

Fares on AS are often competitive with WN, despite significant differences in the overall experience.

70% of the PAX flying out of PDX could get where they're going on AS/QX metal. When you throw in partner carriers, that pretty much covers everyone at PDX.

Row44 wi-fi should be operational this year. When AS experimented with charging even a dollar for it on some flights, usage dropped considerably.

Power outlets onboard are getting a lot of attention now that AS has more long-haul flights. When outlets are eventually installed, they may only go into F and the front part of coach, like other carriers do.

Catering will assume a full F cabin on all flights, since AS is committed to filling F on all flights, even if it's from the last minute purchased upgrades.

MVPGs complained about 2+ hour flights on QX due to the notoriously cramped legroom.

Some of my favorite suggestions from MVPG during the Q&A session:

• When it's time to release all the empty seats, release the middle seat next to an MVPG last.
• PAX in F should not be charged for a snack box if they prefer it over the catered meal.
• Any AS flight booked by an MP member should automagically appear in that member's "My Trips" list, regardless of how the reservation was booked.
• Offer each MVPG one BR pass per month, and provide the option to purchase monthly BR memberships.

One of the last suggestions came from the father of a VFF, who gave a bit of outside perspective on AS's marketing efforts. MVPGs don't need a lot of reminding or convincing to remain loyal, but casual flyers are largely unaware of AS's best promotions and incentives. If the marketing was stepped up intelligently, and the AS website had a simple explanation of the benefits of choosing AS over competing carriers (such as WN) that aren't much cheaper, AS will have a better chance at winning new loyal MP members in those competitive markets.