Really sorry to hear about P155 poor customer service at LAX. I always politely remind rude service staff of the golden rules:

1. The customer is alwasy right;
2. Even if you feel the customer could be wrong, re-read rule number one!

I have, from time to time, politely reminded ck-in agents, crew and lounge staff just how much some of my tickets actually cost, and remind them that if they were paying this price, what would they expect in terms of service? It usually stuns them a bit and they behave a bit more responsibly.

On a positive note, I'm actually going to stick up for UA a bit (LAX ground excluded). Having flown revenue first (some of us do use it from time to time), ex-LHR the Int'l First/UGS check-in couldn't have been easier and more pleasant, lounge dragons were nice, and the onboard service from two senior (um, erh, um ex-Pan Am??) crew from LHR-IAD superb...far better than my SFO-LHR on-board service BA First. These two ladies worked darn hard to give us all great silver service. I was doubly impressed with DEN-SFO service. Crew hauled their behinds to look after 20 pax on the flight, fairly decent meal service for a 2 hr flight, one crew even held a ladies' baby for 5 minutes so the pax could eat her meal... nice touches. Certainly a lot better than some UA experiences, say, two years ago.

Flying later this year LAX-MEL, so I'll be on the lookout for surly staff and be ready to duel if their attitude has not changed.