Originally Posted by honmani2

As one who has never used the "speech," I can't verify its effectiveness. However, if the pax who used it got an op-up over a more deserving pax (due to status, fare paid, etc.), then shame on the gate agent, IMHO.

There is a procedure as laid out in great detail in this thread. I'm not one that is a pure stickler for policy; after all, we're all human. But there is something annoying reading about people who elbowed their way to the front of the line at the expense of someone else albeit in a polite, courteous, charming manner.

Again, I don't blame those who try whatever it takes to get an upgrade. Hey, grab while the grabbings good, I suppose. It's just not my cup of tea and I guess I've lost out in a few upgrades over the past few decades as a result of my silence.

But I do think that gate agents ought to serve those who by being loyal UA customers deserve what they paid for.