Originally Posted by
pjhyett
Of course not, the only time I've had to gate check a bag was when I was one of the last 5 people on the plane on a ORD-SFO flight. Being 1K and having your own lane won't matter if you're arriving 10 minutes before dept, so the point is moot frankly. It's been interesting to watch grown men act like their toys were taken away in this thread. I'm getting flashbacks of the man repeatedly saying "1.5 million miles and I can't believe I'm sitting back here" on a JFK-SFO flight a couple months back.
I've had two instances in the last month where I was in a similar situation to your complaining seatmate and I understand his pain.
I bought a ticket DEN-ORD (B767) two weeks out and they only showed E middle seats but plenty available in Biz. I bought the ticket ($400) and got waitlisted for an upgrade. I monitored the UA website daily looking to make a seat change but it showed full until the day I checked in. No upgrade (number 14 on the board), middle seat and sitting next to a CO Silver member who bought their ticket the DAY BEFORE!
I flew LGA-DEN last week (B757), ticket purchased two weeks out Regional upgrade request day of ticket purchase (gratis upgrade seemed too risky). I ended up in E+ but no upgrade. My assumption was F filled with people who paid the full F fare or GS guys. I really assumed that as a long time 1K flyer using a Regional Upgrade I'd make the cut but I was number 9 on the board.
There are so many 'elite' or (is it "elice"?
members now that there are days when it seems half the plane boards early. Are the 1Ks competing with the CO Platinums for these upgrade seats?