Originally Posted by RobertH
I always look for single military people sitting around the boarding area. This isn't as easy as it used to be as it appears many military now travel in civilian clothes. Anyway, if I see someone I just go up to the gate agent and ask if there are any companion seats available in F. If there are, I just point out the soldier and the GA invariably will walk over to him/her and ask for their boarding pass, telling them they are being upgraded. In my experience, GAs are usually very willing to do this. I've done this probably four or five times in the past couple years.
I've done this as well (although on UA, I'm new to flying NW this year). Sometimes the GA will take the initiative as described above, other times I've had to approach the pax and asked if they would like to sit up front. Have also asked on BOB flights if there were any military personnel traveling in uniform in Y as I'd like to buy them a meal.