I believe the key is to have a positive, friendly attitude and accept that sometimes, things are out of the airline agent before you's hands (weather, mechanical, etc.). Tearing their head off doesn't make them feel any better, even if it makes you feel better, and often makes them make you feel worse by giving them little incentive to help you.

Having high status, and then using it like a club to bludgeon people to your will, more often gets you disserve then service. Of course, "ths squeaky wheel gets the grease" applies, as well, and throwing a fit sometimes gets you taken care of just to get you the heck out of their face.

That said, it is true that having status always helps. The airline, like any good business, will try and take care of their "better" customers first, but like any good business, will not kick their other customers to the curb, since they too some day can become "better" customers if treated with respect and courtesy.

When things don't go right, I accept it, work with the agent, and both of us are always satisfied with the outcome.