I agree with most written above. Being frriendly and polite towards AF staff will almost certainly give you something extra in return. But I find being polite and friendly more than normal. It's just a bit more sensitive in French culture than in, for example, Dutch culture.

Regarding status. I have observed that French LOVE status. For example. Very often at 2F I see that the elite/biz security line is MUCH longer and slower than the Y line. But it's the elite line...and you've got an oportunity to show the world you're an elite...or is there another reason why you wouldn't choose for efficiency in such a situation?