I don't know that I'd go quite that far (op-upping GMs), but I've always felt that a GM should be able to get a lot of the same benefits simply by putting in extra shoe leather work (or seat leather time). The advanatge to status should be that you don't have to wait around or work for it--it should be way easier for you, but not impossible for everyone else.

One example (and this isn't exactly a planning ahead example) is the allocation of exit row seats. As a GM, I used to fly ORD-LAX with some regularity (it's where I got my first 2P status). This was before E+. At 6'5", I really needed that exit row seat. I used to book an early evening flight to LA knowing that I might have to change flights two or three times to get on a flight where an exit row was available. Many times I'd be booked on the 5:00, and end up going out on the 9:00 because that's where I could get the seat.

There was a gate agent on here once who said she would never release an exit row seat to a GM until 20 minutes beforehand because a 1K might walk up at the last minute. That's not fair. It gives the GM no chance whatsoever to get what they need. The 1K could have gotten that seat anytime they wanted.