i m with you.

AUS-SJC-AUS turned into AUS-EWR-GSO-EWR-SFO / SJC-IAH-AUS (all upgraded )

AUS to SJC 3 or 4 years ago, usual AA nonstop flights were around $400, I did AUS-EWR-GSO (weekend with family), then monday GSO-EWR-SFO (sweet F on transcon), then SJC-IAH-AUS end of week for $440, boss thought I was $%$# nuts but approved it without even asking me to pay the difference.

Also since we had discretion in booking whatever we wanted as long as it was less than the usual AA nonstops and flew on our own time, I frequently did AUS-SJC via IAH, MSP, and DTW using CO and NW combinations.

One time, the company travel agent (who became a friend after many bookings, called me while I was connecting in DTW to say he noticed I booked through another agent at corp travel and asked what da $%^^%$ I was doing in DTW when i was going AUS to SJC). Buddies always make comments like "oh you are flying houston to new york, are you connecting in tokyo this time??" ( i could only wish)

aah the god ole times when upgrades were essentally a given for plats.