I picked up 2P status for the first time in 2007 and I haven't decided yet whether I will requalify in 2008. From this perspective this idea of paying to avoid the ICC is yet another absurd slap in the face. The ICC is terrible.

With 2P I tend to get a better equipped US based agent and haven't had to deal with the ICC. But knowing how worthless they are, it would be truly insulting if I had to pay any amount of money to skip talking to them. I'd rather go over to AA for any UA flights I had planned if this comes into existence.