Originally Posted by
VideoPaul
Let's suppose there is an empty first class seat (very unlikely), AND...
...there are no plats to upgrade
...there are no golds to upgrade
...there are no silvers to upgrade
...there are no ST Elite to upgrade
...there is no one extraordinary making themsemves readily apparent (clergy, military, someone elderly)
then WHY NOT upgrade someone in a middle seat? This imediately makes THREE Y pax have a much more comfortable flight. It's called customer service and this is what CO has become exceptional at. I can't imagine a flgiht where there's not SOMEONE in the back who is OP or ST Elite who would like the bump up to the front of the plane...but just supposing this ever happened, what's the downside of making three Y pax happier?
--PP
The downside is that it would result in a completley arbitrary decision by the GA or FA. How would they determine which middle seat passenger to upgrade? The one who offered the largest bribe? The one is the best looking? The one who flirted with them the most? The one who is most obese?
You see the point. As I've stated numerous times on this forum, rules exist for a reason. And, the rules are that non-elites don't get upgraded even if there is a seat in F.
I can see the new OnePass published elite upgrade order now: "CO elite upgrades are prioritized in the following order at the airport: Plats, Plat companions, Golds, etc. . . . . In the event that all elites, elite companions, other Skyteam elites who otherwise would not have upgrade privileges on CO, elderly people, priests, rabbis, nuns, and elites from other alliances like OneWorld or Star have been upgraded, the Gate Agent will upgrade a passenger seated in any middle seat. Such a selection will be completely arbitrary and based upon whatever criteria tickles the Gate Agent's fancy at that particular moment, including, but not limited to, bribes, obesity, looks, charm, height, or hair."