Back in 1998, I flew United for the first time in several years (first trip with my own money, as a just-graduated college student). On the way back from SAN-BOS, it was a hot, wet day, and they had to unload passengers b/c of weight. I worked it out with the gate agent to get bumped and routed through SFO, where I discovered that she had put me in 1st class on one the premium transcon planes.

It was great, and I have been flying UA ever since. Sure I have had some expectations deflated, but that small kindness and experience helped me to choose UA over the many other airlines I could have gone with. A smart move.