Originally Posted by
dayone
I'll add my guess to the above speculation. The pilots may been flying for work, not just commuting. Examples might be rerouted due to irrops, substitute for ill/ timed-out crew or business need at destination.
I believe some passes for business travel (A?) trump revenue passengers.
But they previously held coach seats so unless they have priority specifically for F over revenue pax (not just priority to get on the plane), but not high enough priority to travel space positive in F, I don't think the above scenario explains the OP's situation.