>>>>>>Tonight I missed ATL-MSP. Indeed, people are actually buying FC seats. All 16 FC pax had purchased theirs per the GA.

The big question betwen this year and previous year, is what "purchased" means. Does it mean:

* Everybody is stinking rich with the tax cuts and the stock market and throwing money around for big seats and mixed nuts?
* People have figured out about Y-Up fares and are scarfing them down like pita chips?
* There are markets where paying full F costs the equivalent of a double-creme caramel froo-froo mocha-spinzel latte at Starbucks?
* The entire F cabin is being opened up to F award seats--and, so, like, what are miles worth these days...
* Corporate travel departments and/or others are getting "deals" on F seats as incentives--possibly even at prices that do not fully correspond with normal Y (this is pure speculation)?

"Purchased" is a very vague term, particularly given what information an FA might truly be getting. Hey Schmutzig (and anyone else who didn't get the upgrade)--go down the F aisle and say you are from Inflight Miraculous Magazine and are doing a poll. Ask each purchased passenger what their elite status is, how their ticket got paid for, and if they'd like one lump or two!