Originally Posted by VA747
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.
From what I have seen with foreign carriers, I will agree. I was travelling in Business on a 3-class Korean Air 777 from NGO-ICN. I asked about an op-up to First Class on this short flight. The agent gave me a big smile and changed my boarding pass for 1B.
I agree that being well-spoken, better then average dressed and being polite will increase your chances for an op-up or getting that desired seat on a long haul flight.