My first time experience with 1st class was in about 1983 on a TWA L-1011 (with international configuration) from STL to PHX.

I had been flying for business about 2 years, almost exclusively on TWA. I knew nothing about elite status, upgrades, etc. I thought that everyone sitting in 1st paid a lot more for their tickets, and thus must work for a much better company. I was traveling with a co-worker and both of us were dressed in a coat and tie. We had already boarded, and were sitting in exit row coach seats (I did know enough to ask for those.) A gate agent came on board and asked for our boarding stubs. He then said that he had some people that he needed to put in those seats. I protested, saying that I went out of my way to obtain those seats. He then said he was going to put us in 1st class.

I remember that I never drank so much wine or champagne on an airplane flight. It was the greatest experience. I then began to learn the ropes of elite status and how to sit in 1st as much as possible. Thank you TWA.

[This message has been edited by Paul3456 (edited 09-07-2001).]