Originally Posted by
KoKoBuddy
I used to fly 150K miles a year and 100+ nights a year in hotels. Lots of upgrades, miles, perks, etc.
Then I stopped travel for business. I flew for pleasure 2-3 times a year. I lost my status. I was the lowest form of life known to FT.......a kettle. I know fly once a month on average. But since since I now live in a small, non-hub market and fly whatever is cheapest, I have no meaningful amount of miles or status on any airline.
After a while I stopped caring. So I sat in a middle seat and had to wait an extra 10 mins in the TSA line. Meh. Life goes on.
And now I walk onto the plane and see the 1st class people sneering at us lowly coach dwellers. I see myself 5-10 years ago. Half of me envies them for being in 1st. The other half is relieved I don't have to spend so much time in a plane to get the upgrades.
My stress levels when I fly now are almost non-existent. I know I won't get upgraded so I don't obsessively check online if I got it. I don't spend time pleading with GAs for an upgrade. I don't stare the the upgrade screen at the gate and hope and pray that since I'm #3 on the list, 3 people don't show up. Or wonder to myself why I am #3 since I should be #1 since I'm so darned special. I don't feel like I was snubbed if I don't get the upgrade and spend the whole flight pissed off that I have to be in coach.
I think you misunderstand what a "Kettle" is. A Kettle is
NOT NECESSARILY someone who doesn't fly frequently, although it is an aspect of it. A "Kettle" is someone who does not know what they are doing during the process and makes life harder for everyone else as a result of their ignorance.
A non FF'er who knows to remove things prior to security, knows how to get around the airport, knows how to line up and board a plane, and knows how to get back from the lav without grabbing the seatback of everyone between their seat and the lav is
not a kettle.
You flew alot, you are never going to be a kettle again, even if you don't fly now.