Ticketed in Y, was caught walking up to 1R on a 752 to check the tail number (yes, I track tail numbers) because it wasn't visible from outside. The FA busted me and asked what I was doing, "getting the tail number from the cert over 1R" I explained; I continued, "I did first check with the FA over there by 2L."

She replied, "And you had to do this right now, before we close the cabin door?"

She wasn't being snotty... she had a smile on her face and she was obviously ribbing me for being such a nerd.

Anyway, we started discussing why I would want to track tails and I admitted that it was interesting to see how many different 752's I'd been on, to notice when I was on the same plane again, etc. She asked, "Do you fly on United that much?" So I told her I was a 1K, then went back to my seat.

I then felt bad for having mentioned it since, in almost any context, it seems like you're begging for attention or special treatment. I was sure the FAs were congregating in the F galley talking about "Mr. Entitlement" in 9F.

Instead, three interesting things happened:

1) When the FA came to ask for exit-row approval she said to me, "And I'm sure you've sat here before" with a wink.

2) A different FA came to ask if I knew some obscure MP rule! A passenger had asked her and she didn't know. I did, of course, because I'd read it on FT!

3) When I deplaned the first FA was saying goodbye and said a sincere "thanks for all your business" specifically to me.

So instead of being punished, I was encouraged. Uh oh.

Don't most of you consider it a no-no to ever mention status to any UA employee unless specifically asked?