The battlefield upgrade in action (and works as designed)
Apr 6, 2018, 6:56 pm
#1
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: PHL, NYC
Programs: AA PLT, DL SLV, UA SLV, MR LTT, HH DIA
Posts: 10,060
The battlefield upgrade in action (and works as designed)
I’ve read a number of threads about seats in F going empty on domestic flights where there were still elites on the list. Let me share are an experience where the process worked as designed.
I was on a clt-ewr 737-800 flight that was sold out. EF had all buckets zeroed out, the upgrade list had me as the lone passenger who didn’t make the cut so I took my seat in 8C. I boarded with my group (4) and noticed 5 empty F seats. Figured some late connecting passengers. As the plane boarded, I only saw one person take a seat up front.
At T minus 10, literally to the minute, with 4 seats still unclaimed, I got an alert on my phone of a seat change to 6B(last row in F). The line of people was still boarding so I waited. I made eye contact with the gate agent who got on board and we acknowledged I was aware of my new seat assignment. I mouthed a silent “thank you!” and took my seat when the crowd cleared.
Shortly after, I saw a uniformed pilot board and take my old seat.
So, no favoritism of crew and no skirting the rules. The GA followed the protocol and we still got out on time with all but a few F seats taken. Kudos to all!
I was on a clt-ewr 737-800 flight that was sold out. EF had all buckets zeroed out, the upgrade list had me as the lone passenger who didn’t make the cut so I took my seat in 8C. I boarded with my group (4) and noticed 5 empty F seats. Figured some late connecting passengers. As the plane boarded, I only saw one person take a seat up front.
At T minus 10, literally to the minute, with 4 seats still unclaimed, I got an alert on my phone of a seat change to 6B(last row in F). The line of people was still boarding so I waited. I made eye contact with the gate agent who got on board and we acknowledged I was aware of my new seat assignment. I mouthed a silent “thank you!” and took my seat when the crowd cleared.
Shortly after, I saw a uniformed pilot board and take my old seat.
So, no favoritism of crew and no skirting the rules. The GA followed the protocol and we still got out on time with all but a few F seats taken. Kudos to all!
Apr 6, 2018, 8:45 pm
#2
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: PA, NJ
Programs: DL FO MM, AA EXP MM, IHG Spire, Marriott Gold, HH Diamond, Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 282
Glad to hear it worked out for you, i had a similar suprise this week, I was #1 on the UG list on PHL - LAX, zero availabe FC seats all week before the flight, 5 minutes to door closing the gate agent comes on board and gave me a BP for 4F, had a much better ride.
Apr 7, 2018, 3:38 am
#4
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PHL
Programs: AA EXP MM, HHonors Lifetime Diamond, Marriott Lifetime Ti, UA Silver
Posts: 5,035
My wife (EXP) flew mainline from SMF yesterday and was #2 on the list with F1 at T-30. #1 got the upgrade, flight went to F0, and she boarded in coach. About 3 minutes before they closed the door the GA came onboard, approached her, asked "are you Mrs. PGF?" and gave her an F BP ^.
The system does work as intended sometimes...
The system does work as intended sometimes...
Apr 7, 2018, 5:08 am
#5
Suspended
Join Date: May 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: DL Diamond, AAdvantage EXP, Hyatt Explorist, HHonors Diamond, Avis First
Posts: 7,344
Wow in CLT of all places....nice! I have had bad experiences with gate UPGs with GAs at this airport with them not following protocol and keep reporting them so hopefully things have changed.
Apr 7, 2018, 10:30 am
#6
Join Date: May 2004
Location: DFW-In Plano & CDG-In the 11th
Programs: DL Diamond, AA revenue negative, Bonvoy Titanium +, Avis likes me
Posts: 3,209
Next pigs will sprout wings.
After that:
LAX and SFO GA's will place CK & EXP ahead of "Friends and Family". Not holding my breath
Apr 7, 2018, 1:07 pm
#7
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 474
Apr 7, 2018, 1:47 pm
#8
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Madison WI
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT - 2.9MM, Lifetime AC, HHonors Gold, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat Amb, Hertz Precs Crcl
Posts: 2,212
I’ve read a number of threads about seats in F going empty on domestic flights where there were still elites on the list. Let me share are an experience where the process worked as designed.
I was on a clt-ewr 737-800 flight that was sold out. EF had all buckets zeroed out, the upgrade list had me as the lone passenger who didn’t make the cut so I took my seat in 8C. I boarded with my group (4) and noticed 5 empty F seats. Figured some late connecting passengers. As the plane boarded, I only saw one person take a seat up front.
At T minus 10, literally to the minute, with 4 seats still unclaimed, I got an alert on my phone of a seat change to 6B(last row in F). The line of people was still boarding so I waited. I made eye contact with the gate agent who got on board and we acknowledged I was aware of my new seat assignment. I mouthed a silent “thank you!” and took my seat when the crowd cleared.
Shortly after, I saw a uniformed pilot board and take my old seat.
So, no favoritism of crew and no skirting the rules. The GA followed the protocol and we still got out on time with all but a few F seats taken. Kudos to all!
I was on a clt-ewr 737-800 flight that was sold out. EF had all buckets zeroed out, the upgrade list had me as the lone passenger who didn’t make the cut so I took my seat in 8C. I boarded with my group (4) and noticed 5 empty F seats. Figured some late connecting passengers. As the plane boarded, I only saw one person take a seat up front.
At T minus 10, literally to the minute, with 4 seats still unclaimed, I got an alert on my phone of a seat change to 6B(last row in F). The line of people was still boarding so I waited. I made eye contact with the gate agent who got on board and we acknowledged I was aware of my new seat assignment. I mouthed a silent “thank you!” and took my seat when the crowd cleared.
Shortly after, I saw a uniformed pilot board and take my old seat.
So, no favoritism of crew and no skirting the rules. The GA followed the protocol and we still got out on time with all but a few F seats taken. Kudos to all!
Apr 7, 2018, 2:51 pm
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 23,021
When I'm at the top of the upgrade list, I always check with the agent before boarding to see if they will pull me if there are no shows. This lets them know I'm watching in case they want to try to pull any shenanigans.
Apr 7, 2018, 9:40 pm
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: PHL, NYC
Programs: AA PLT, DL SLV, UA SLV, MR LTT, HH DIA
Posts: 10,060