Actually, Occam's Razor gives me a very good idea why the OP was singled out. At the very least, my hypothesis is more likely than a random number generator in her head.

Giving you 'a very good idea' doesn't mean you know why. As mentioned, it's your hypothesis.

And I would agree with it wholeheartedly if you had data points which suggested the OP looked or acted different than the other passengers. But you don't. You're making several assumptions. You're actually making about the same number of assumptions as my exaggerated random number generator suggestion. So Occam's Razor really doesn't apply there, based on the data at hand - which isn't much.

I'm sure we can agree that if it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it's likely a duck. Unfortunately, we don't know the appearance or vocal characteristics of this particular bird. We just know it was trying to get airborne

Would you prefer she asks others (just not you) to ensure the line is not overflowing with non-priority boarders?

If yes, then you're being too sensitive. If no, then not. Depends on what you expect her to do in general, I suppose.

Maybe airlines should stop charging for a checked bag. The main reason everyone wants to be the first on is to grab the overhead bin space.

I think this has nothing to do with anything.

I am the king of scruffiness. AND I never dress up for F. On the contrary, I dress down and usually fly wearing flip flops and shorts.
I don't think there has been a single instance in which I have been asked "Are you in F/priority?" Never have I ever perceived either that I've been treated differently for not dressing up or looking the way I look.

I think people here underestimate the experience of the GAs, at least the AA personnel, because the GAs know better that there is not an "F" look, since the F population is pretty diverse and they've seen it.

There are 100s of reasons of why the GA might have asked the question "Are you Priority?". That the question is asked doesn't mean that the GA is judging. I wouldn't have been bothered at all. Just say "Yup" and move on.

Or start charging for a carry-on bag!

That too! Hate to say that's a fee I wouldn't mind.

I'm pretty much asked this every. single. flight.

Sometimes even by other passengers, condescendingly (AA elites tend to be the most pathetic of the 3 American Airlines).

There is a common theme about scruffiness and how people dress, casually, suited, very casual, etc. It seems like at best, people think the way they dress has a neutral impact. I don't care which cabin I'm in, I never go to the airport dressed like I would for my morning workout, or working in the yard.

I can't point to statistics, but it just seems things go better, I get treated better, people bother me less, etc., when I dress more than casually. I often am in a suit if I was at a meeting, but more typically just in business casual including a sport coat. I don't think that makes me better than anyone else or entitles me to anything, I just can't help the feeling that I still get better treatment than at those times that I happen to have been more casual. Maybe its all in my head, maybe it is a placebo. Regardless, it seems to work

I'm confused by this comment. iplaybass wouldn't appear to be a drummer. In that case, your comment would be valid*

Cheers.



"Q: What do you call someone who hangs out with a bunch of musicians?
A: A drummer

I was wearing a Murano dress shirt and dress pants. Maybe it was the Swiss Gear backpack. I do admit that I was wearing a company logo fleece and not a suit jacket. My response was yes and I kept moving. That's what I do since it's useless to argue with a GA. This used to happen to me a lot at my home airport, but as the personnel have shrunk with the shrinking number of flights, I fly less, and F more often.

Depends.

I deliberately try not to look like a stereotypical "business traveler" when flying international. Partly for comfort, partly because I've found EU immigration is friendlier when I look like a tourist.

Domestic, depends on why I'm flying and whether I have a meeting shortly after I step off the plane. Couple weeks ago I probably looked like a perfect first-class passenger stereotype because I was catching a 5:45AM flight on my way out to SFO for a meeting at noon. But then when I was in LA for Thanksgiving last week, not so much with the trying to look nice.

I don't think stopping to charge for a checked bag is the answer. I can check my bags for free on my credit card. I just hate checking in luggage because it creates having to wait anywhere from 15 to 45 minutes past my flight to get my luggage. Boarding group one is nice just so I can grab my one spot overhead for my carry-on and then I have the area under the sea fun of me for my small bag. UnFortunately, The flying public is not as considerate as my family and they horde space.

I've been asked by passengers. That's the most fun.

"Are you in first class?"
"Uh..................... yes. Yes I am."

Honestly, I never understood the pax at the front of the priority line looking to be SURE he's on the plane first because he always seems like a regular flyer. Never a newbie.

The more regular flyer I became, the less extra time I wanted to spend on the plane (certainly, at least, at the gate).

Totally agree on the gate being the last place I want to spend a minute extra.

On a recent flight from PHL to BOS, some guy just parked himself in the priority lane and crouched down (squat style) conducting Very Important Business loudly on his phone to assure first on. It was very weird and he hung out there for a good 20 minutes prior to boarding. Of course he ended up being my seatmate in F- such is life. In case my description does not explain how obnoxious this was, here's a photo: