Originally Posted by wsommerv
I'm going to have to dissagree with you on this one.
Oh hi honey. I didn't know you followed the threads on here. When's dinner?
Originally Posted by wsommerv
......it cheapens the J cabin. Driving off the true premium customer who values the exclusivity of the front of the plane.
Versus filling it with employees? Ok they're a classy bunch all right, but at the very least no better than paying customers.
Originally Posted by wsommerv
......If you simply upgrade people at the gate to fill the J cabin fewer people will buy J seats and just try their luck with an upgade.
I wouldn't agree. I don't think you'd lose any J seat sales at all. People go J for reasons that specifically preclude going Economy and I don't they'd risk being left in economy:
They need to work. You can't do that in economy.
They need real rest. Same as above.
They like the comfort/service - Those folks won't ever buy Economy.
They want the meal, first on and first off, etc. - stuff you don't get in economy
They want etc.
None of those people would risk not getting the upgrade. They would simply buy J to start with.
Originally Posted by wsommerv
......IMHO, this would have a negative impact or at least be revenue neutral.
Negative impact? It would probably expose more people to J (promos and writeoffs) and make it easier for folks travelling on a company economy ticket to upgrade.
Revenue neutral? By charging money for something that will be worth 0.00 once the plane pushes back?
It should be easy to work out some reasonable system that provides a payback on those empty J seats.