Originally Posted by
cbn42
What evidence do you have for this?
I'm a real lawyer and don't just play one on the internet.
Has it ever happened?
What does that have to do with the law as it applies to this situation?
Has there been any indication from any police department or any airline that it might happen?
Yes.
Have you ever heard of the term, "Theft of Services"?
When I was at American, we had a passenger board and "just sit in an empty first class seat". The lead flight attendant realized soon enough he wasn't supposed to be there, and asked him his name. He replied, she checked the manifest, and explained to him his seat was in the main cabin. His response was a simplistic "well, this was open, so I'm gonna sit here instead". Instead of making a huge scene, the flight attendant walked away, and offered the passenger the same amenities throughout the flight as she did to the other first class passengers.
When they landed at our station, the police met the aircraft, and it was explained to the gentleman he could either pay the difference between his 21-day advance purchase coach and full fare First (if I remember correctly it was around $1400), or he would be arrested for "Theft of Services". He paid.
Granted this is an extreme example, and most likely, the flight attendant would "loudly" explain that you need to take your seat in coach.
We put up with enough these days, and contrary to popular belief, do not enjoy confrontations. Please just follow the rules, everybody else has to.
Oh, and btw, this topic has been discussed a thousand times before.
Travis
http://www.airliners.net/aviation-fo...d.main/996091/
Given the reports we have read, people sneaking up into first class happens on flights quite regularly. I have observed it myself on several occasions, as have many of us. And yet, a search of the internet doesn't show up a single case of an airline doing anything other than sending them back. No arrests, no retroactive billing, nothing.
Well, obviously if you've never seen it, it never happens and it's not the law. Next time someone asks me about the law, I'll make sure to check with you first and see if you've seen it.
So what are these threats of dire consequences based on, other than a sense of superiority on the part of legitimate premium-cabin passengers?
They are accurate statements of fact.
You are the one that is playing "internet lawyer" by describing consequences that don't exist in reality.
No, the difference between you're playing internet lawyer and me is that one of us has a license to practice law and give legal advice . . . and it's not you.
I am answering the question based on actual experiences of passengers.
No, you're answering the question based on your own limited experience, and the limited experience of some of the people who have posted here. However, what you are dead wrong about is that there is no law that prohibits self-upgrading, and telling people that is stupid and dangerous.