Status is your best friend during irregular operations or if there is a personal or family calamity. Doors open, staff actually do seem to care and assist, exit row seats become available.

Regarding keeping status, just get life SG and your status worries are over. Simple.

Regarding flying further and further up towards the pointy end, yes - its addictive. That odd trip in WHY makes you wonder how you managed to endure it when younger and more resiliant to no space and too many people.