longtime PM, longtime traveler to/from DCA/IAD/BWI

until late 2011 most of my travel was company-paid, so I didn't really pay attention to inventory ... since then, as LBJ says, flying on non-consultant-heavy days increases UG odds significantly; by checking the fare difference for one or two higher buckets, and comparing airports as well, I've occasionally paid maybe $30 more than a T fare from DCA to get a K fare from BWI ... can't state authoritatively whether that always meant I got the UG, but I have to think it helped when the GIDS showed me at #2 of 25 for 3 seats (or when I got the email at T-48 hrs and the GIDS showed 38 for 1 seat)