Originally Posted by bbc1969
At the risk of getting this fired up again, just thought I would make some comments as one of the folks who admits being a FAM on this board. Just for clarification if someone unfamiliar "surfs" in and starts reading.
The airlines would NOT stand for this. We have a pretty good working relationship, but they would not stand for off duty FAMS getting "FREE" upgrades. If a FAM is off duty and flies in first he or she has either used private FF points (no not accumulated on duty-people get fired for that, and they do check) or paid the upgrade fee, just like anyone else.
Does that mean that some FAM somewhere doesnt have a friend who slipped them some extra bennies? Who knows? Not likely as both the employee and FAM would have some questions to answer, and likely job losses because of it. I dont think this is the case, but I will acknowledge it "could" happen. Just as it could with anyone who has a "friend" working behind the counter. Only in this case both parties would get in trouble. And as I said before, the airlines watch for this stuff, and it is reported direct to HQ. People have been fired over such actions (several violations of policy of this type reportedly took place just after 9-11 during the buildup when many "temp" FAMs from other agencies were working), and word gets out quick. So if this complaint was given to the airline, and it was real, they would have taken action in my experience. So I don't think the observation that started this thread was an actual off duty FAM in the first place.
I have to agree that it was most likely not an off duty FAM.
Although, I have flow on my own dime and have often been upgraded by the request of the Capt. or by the Lead FA.
The times that I have been upgraded, I performed my duties as a FAM and there were no other FAM's scheduled for the flight. I have never and will never ask to be moved to F but I will move at the request of the flight crew. I have also seen this happen to active duty military members flying in uniform. I think that this is the discreation of the flight crew also and not an example of someone getting extra "bennies".
I believe that the crews are a little more informed with our procedures and tactics thus have no problem with doing it. I'm still doing my job........