I agree completely. If, in addition, you treat all employees with courtesy and respect, I definitely believe you will notice a difference in their approach to you. BA is particularly noted for recognizing those who are well-dressed....well-spoken too. Several years ago we grabbed a winter sale fare (BA has great ones to LHR) and went to London for a long weekend, so we were naturally in Y. On the return, I asked the gate agent at the last check before boarding, if the bulkhead rows were vacant by any chance. She quite literally looked at me from head to toe and back again and without a word scribbled the changed seats on our boarding passes. So I guess we passed muster. I don't think US airlines go to this length, but I really do believe your appearance is a factor in how you're perceived....and, consequently, how you're treated.