The Business Class cabin is indeed starting to become the Wild West. I just requalified Diamond on Delta and have resumed flying AirTran to get Elite.
At TPA the newly remodeled ticket counters have no AirTran checkin area, the SWA ticket agent had no clue how to print an AirTran boarding pass. Elites go to the express bag drop area to be.... served.
On two flights, SWA fliers have simply sat in Business Class even when their assigned seat is in Coach. Yesterday I saw shenanigans similar to the above, where the FA obviously knew someone sitting in bulkhead coach and was contemplating offering a last moment favor. I gave a polite but firm stare from 3F and the joking ended.
Many ATL markets now see straight up Business Class fares less than $20 above last minute coach and $60 less than comparable Delta A and P fares. As always, AirTran Business is fully refundable, free baggage, you can even no show and get a full cash refund.
So we continue to ride the dinosaur as the snow behind to fall...