Originally Posted by
fryfrye
About 40 minutes before boarding I was #2 on the upgrade list and then one of the seats filled up with what I expect was a TOD upgrade. Having flown way to much the previous week, I decided to check on a TOD for myself -- mentally thinking that anything around 150 bucks might get me to pull the trigger on this flight. Lucky me -- on-line re-checkin offered me a $169.00 TOD upgrade (or is that 16.9 :-) ) I took it.
My first mistake was getting my boarding pass re-printed at the gate by one of the two agents working the flight. While I was getting a re-print a very-very agitated flyer was berating the agent for "giving his/her" seat away to someone else... as they were Global Services and they were #1 on the upgrade list with one seat left.
My second mistake was telling "him/her" not to take it out on the agent, that I paid for the last seat just minutes ago for "about $150 bucks" and they should take it up with UAL for their ridiculous TOD upgrade offers.
Next thing I know the other gate agent tells me that the GS member should have the right to seat BEFORE me and if he/she is willing to pay for the TOD upgrade they have to offer it to her.
After several minutes of "intense" conversations and the request of a supervisor -- I relented and told the agent to give the seat to this other person who seemed to need it more than me -- I just wanted my old seat back and that I wasn't going to wait for the supervisor to show up 10 minutes before departure and bump me back to E+ and then have to check a bag.
What would you have done? (aside from keeping you mouth shut during mistake #2 above :-) )
I'm glad the crew kept it classy, and really did acknowledge that you took the high road.
Hey, you played the game as UA has set you up to play it. No fault on you.
BTW, while I get the GS's frustration, but her DYKWIA attitude got her way. That's too bad. Why do you say she "needed the seat more than me?" Because she was making a scene, and making everyone feel awkward? Behaving badly makes her more entitled? Too bad.
BTW . . . the GS didn't have any priority over you once you bought the TOD. She had the same opportunity, and chose to play the waiting game, and lost based on a UA policy you followed. And still got the seat.
Hope the flight was good. Did the DYKWIA thank you for your graciousness at all?
I'm almost 100% sure I know the answer.
What would I have done? My goal is that DYKWIA and rudeness never get my sympathy nor compliance.