No wonder that many american airlines are under chapter 11 or having financial problems. When looked at all these mileage runs on flyertalk reading that some guys spend their weekends by travelling from the eastcoast to the westcoast on the cheapest fare (sometimes less than 200$) just to earn miles. After a few trips they receive Gold, Platinum or whatever status and they can sit in First Class on their next 200$ mileage run.

Please donīt misunderstand me: If you are one of these guys I donīt begrudge you sitting in First on a comp upgrade due to your status but the airlines made a big mistake. Nobody pays for F anymore (esp. in the U.S.) and they canīt make money with all those cheap Y fares.

When I travel to the U.S. in C or F I prefer travelling with LH or BA just because there arenīt that many people with upgrades sitting around me. Itīs the same with CX and SQ: F and C are nearly free of employees and upgrades. I wanted to book a redemption ticket from FRA to SIN on SQ in First and I was told that there are no more seats for redemption available. I booked the flight in full fare C and I saw that the F cabin was less than half full.

[This message has been edited by Tirreg (edited 11-14-2002).]