Originally Posted by 757-300

Worst experience was when ATA's computer system went down at Midway, forcing manual check-ins. Because of this, seat assignments went out the window and it was every traveler for himself. We had a Christmas tree in a box (long story), and when I saw the length of the manual check-in lines, I decided we would just carry it on since the box wasn't too obnoxiously big. Three gate changes later, we were moved to Gate A4B (if you're familiar with Midway, that number will make you have a phobic reaction). Being Elite, we were supposed to be allowed to pre-board, and I knew that with the lack of seat assignments, it would be critical to do so in order to get a tolerable seat. We were far up in the pre-board line, but when boarding finally started for our many-hours late flight, a giant family kept trying to push ahead of us. They kept snottily saying, "We're PRE-BOARDING" and ignoring our explanation that we were doing the same and that they needed to stay in line. Finally, after getting poking and prodded and trodden on in their attempts to pass us, my husband whirled around and yelled, "I have spent countless g*d-d#)$mn hours on this airline to earn Elite status, and you are NOT passing me!" He swung the tree box around to act as a barrier, nearly bowling the Rude Family over! FINALLY they got the hint and stayed plenty far away from us (and we got 10DE, our originally assigned seats...I hate to think of all the hours we spent in them before ATA bailed from Chicago).