Spoiled employees? I think you'd have alot of arguements there...one of the problems NW has continually faced is the lack of respect of it's employees by management and the ever changing direction of employee relations. But those are other issues entirely.

As for IP's situation...the gate agent was WRONG...PERIOD...if things went as you state they did. Revenue passengers come first, without question...if there are open F seats and Y is full...you are to upgrade a confirmed Y passenger to open a seat for the standby revenue passenger...to some this is common sense...to others, it is an excuse to bypass the paying customer and board a friend, family member or co-worker. Although the flight benefits are a perk...they are a PRIVLEDGE and only exist when a seat is unsold...kinda like working at a bakery when the doors lock for the night...the leftovers are either thrown out or given to the employees.

Are employees sometimes boarded in first class while an Elite sits in coach? Absolutely...but this is normally not because policy was violated...either the Elite did not qualify for first class (Silver on award ticket), is traveling with someone else and didn't want to split up OR the (most common scenario) customer boarded before checking with the gate agent on a standby upgrade...many times, it is not possible to go on board and fish someone off a plane to move them to first class...bottom line...patience pays off...if you board and then see an open seat in first class...it's usually too late...the seat is probably already been given to someone else who may or may not be an employee or "non-rev" passenger.

Sorry this happened...I hope you noted the agent's name and the flight in your note to Customer Relations...I am looking forward to the response they give you.




[This message has been edited by Vegas Agent (edited 05-05-2003).]