As for upgrades, my view is that once they've upgraded everyone who is legitimately eligible for an upgrade (i.e. fare, certificate, status, etc) then what they do with the remaining seats is of no concern to me. Fill them with employees, managers, passengers who've paid high fares, people who've paid low fares, or freight, for all I care.

What other business would you expect give you stuff for free just because you are a customer and not an employee? Air Canada/Aeroplan (and some hotel and car rental firms) have agreed to upgrade selected customers based on specific criteria, but beyond that and additional upgrading is an accidental gift.

Would you walk by a barber during a slow period where the barbers might be sitting and reading as say to them "Look, you're not doing anything now anyway so you wouldn't be any further behind if you cut my hair for free."?