Originally Posted by gofast
I think it's disingenuous to suggest that. You can rest assured that the airline will not bounce a FC passenger out of their seat for an off-duty FAM, however, the gate agent, FA, or PIC can offer an unsold FC seat to an off-duty FAM just as they can offer it to a non-rev airline employee, uniformed soldier, pregnany lady, girlfriend of the FO, etc, etc.. It does happen. The seats belong to the airlines and they can do with them as they please. If an off-duty FAM is offered an upgrade to FC, he is not unured with any real benefit or value. It's not illegal or unethical.
I should have expanded my comments. I agree with the situation above. My reference was to the type of situation in the original post, several thousand ago it seems. The situation where a off duty FAM is given a FC upgrade seat for nothing over the waiting frequent flyer (s) who have points, cash, or elite status to be in line to get that seat.
As stated, the airline can do whatever they want with unused seats.