What's amazing is that someone actually gets paid to write this bull.

Does it happen .02% of the time. Probably, but that's such a low percentage that it doesn't warrant an article. I can just see some people trying this with AA, UA, US, DL, etc., agents. Not a chance. If anything they'll be reassigned to 31E next to the crying baby.

Int'l carriers...maybe it works but if you have some elite status (especially the higher ones) you'll get a favor anyhow in foreign countries without the bribe. Not to mention the fact that most sage, international travellers would ever engage in this behavior.

More nonsense from the media when there are other more important, yet difficult, things to report on.