unless something changed on the AA side -- which i suspect it has -- i think the last time i was "recognized" on board was 2022 when the chatty FA on the transcon and i were gabbing and she asked "so what does it take to be a "VIP"?" which caught me off until i recalled various chats here

but on board, its all the same--and since AA generally cater correctly there is no point in who gets their order taken first. the thing that i appreciate is the rare instance where the ground experience is helpful like the one time i had a delay making my connection in PHX incredibly tight and there was a CK team to walk me to the next gate and pre board--that was last fall.