- You're post is not pissy. I just became a Gold myself, and feel the same way you do.
- You are an AWEsome spouse for downgrading and staying with your spouse. In hinesight, you could have not downgraded, then whipped out your gold status and shamed the FAs into putting your spouse into FC with you.
- The parents in your story obviously lack self-awareness and they had better get with the program when they travel. I'll bet a million that these parents seldom (if at all) travel and they are so out of touch that they probably refer to a FA as a "Stewardess".
- The GA in your story should be sent to an Amway convention for a weekend as punishment. If a 2nd offense occurs, it should then be a week long conventioned, hosted by Ben Stein.

Hope this helps, and I hope that NWA Sr. Management is able to fix things up for you.

Ciao!