Geee.. I feel like the only Marxist in a convention of Oil Company Executives.

I like the front to back/back to front system.

The FA's don't need to hopscotch all over the cabin.

It's fair and equitable across the First Class, regardless of how one got there.

It's clear to everyone in the cabin, without knowing if the other person was paying/UGS/the FA's special friend ( that last never happens, of course ).

I see the problem as the lack of "extra" meals to cover demand in 1st, and less availability of domestic 1st class seats in general, given reduction of flights, 319/320 configurations and increased RJ/TED flights ( on 4 hour MIA-DEN flights, ugh ) Less Seats = More Filled = Less extra meals available should they run out of one. I've seen 747's turn into multiple 319/320's.... all flights combined with total less Bus/1st seats. And 757's/737's turn into RJs.

As far as 1K devaluation... I see it less THAT as a problem, than UA's strategy of attracting customers via the FF program benefits has worked TOO well... they need to expand their service capabilities to MATCH the expanded 1k+ population... to maintain the FF's loyalty. Hence the increase in recent theads concerning issues with domestic Upgrade availability, meal service, saver award availability, etc.

Hopefully UA will fix some of these issues as it comes out of bankruptcy, along with expanding the fleet with new planes. I'm just afraid airlines (not just UA) have got hooked on all these cost cutting measures and lots of very full flights.

Otherwise... I can see this same discussion being held in a couple of years over the inability of 1P's to get into ECO+, behind the paying Y/B, paid upgrade folk, UGS's ( pl: UGSi? ) and 1Ks.