Several years ago, seated in exit row/aisle Coach on a 777, IAD-LHR. A meal or beverage cart is parked and anchored in the space in front of our seats shortly after reaching cruising altitude. About 45 minutes later the FA’s try to move the cart with no luck. The anchoring mechanism will not release with the foot pedal. Much consternation, soon a technical manual appears, a kind of leather bound notebook approx. 8" thick, amongst the FA’s. Well of course I volunteer to help; soon I have this manual opened to page 600 something, which calls for a special tool (not me). Special tool appears, as does a flight officer with a flashlight, tool is basically a 3/8” rod bent at a couple of right angles. I am on the floor, stabbing the tool underneath this cart while the flight officer encourages me. We spring this cart free and I return to me seat, assuming a slumbering position. Two minutes later I am escorted to F (my only double upgrade) for the remainder ( ~ 3 ˝ hours) of the flight. This is my only in-flight upgrade. I have however witnessed several folks from Coach sneak into Business, which is surprisingly easy to do on UA as the FA’s pretty much ‘disappear’ on long-hauls.

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