Questionable On-board Upgrades SCL-ATL
May 7, 2013, 8:10 am
#31
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: NW Florida
Posts: 283
It is certainly a weight and balance issue, and the passengers were likely NRSA. I'm surprised more people haven't seen this before.
It's fairly common on some routes (JNB-ATL springs to mind). Depending on the cargo load and location, a flight is often too nose heavy for take off so the easy solution is to move the NRSA's to the back and then put them back in front once airborne.
Before people get too jealous of NRSA's perk of occasionally being seated up front, there's also plenty of times where a flight will depart with 30 open seats and nonrevs will be left behind since the cargo load is too heavy to take a full passenger load. (And rightfully so, since the cargo is producing revenue) This can continue for a week or more on the same flight.
It's fairly common on some routes (JNB-ATL springs to mind). Depending on the cargo load and location, a flight is often too nose heavy for take off so the easy solution is to move the NRSA's to the back and then put them back in front once airborne.
Before people get too jealous of NRSA's perk of occasionally being seated up front, there's also plenty of times where a flight will depart with 30 open seats and nonrevs will be left behind since the cargo load is too heavy to take a full passenger load. (And rightfully so, since the cargo is producing revenue) This can continue for a week or more on the same flight.
May 7, 2013, 8:17 am
#32
Join Date: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,877
I was on this flight on 5/4. I was in EC (purchased EC) and there were approx 5-6 open seats in business class. After we took off the purser started pulling people into business class, but I question the methodology that was used in the selection process. For example, a young girl in front of me, couldn't have been more than 22, got upgraded, as well as two older ladies from the rear of the airplane. To me they just didn't look like frequent fliers, I don't know. My question is what criteria do they use and should I have said something or is it better to just shut up and avoid embarrassing myself in such situations? I am only silver, but some of those upgraded just didn't look like elites. Should I write a letter or should I just let it go?
May 7, 2013, 8:19 am
#33
Join Date: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,877
It's just hard to stomach to sit there on that bone-hard seat, having given the airline all your loyalty over the years, and then having to watch "friends & family" of airline employees, who may not have even paid for the ticket, getting moved up front before the eyes of their loyal customers. Just doesn't sit right with me!
May 7, 2013, 8:46 am
#35
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 185
I've seen nonrevs get sent to Y for take-off and then move up front afterwards. I am sure they would rather get their assigned seat from the beggining too, but weight and balance calculations usually aren't to be messed with.
May 7, 2013, 9:59 am
#36
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: ATL
Programs: DL
Posts: 115
Before people get too jealous of NRSA's perk of occasionally being seated up front, there's also plenty of times where a flight will depart with 30 open seats and nonrevs will be left behind since the cargo load is too heavy to take a full passenger load. (And rightfully so, since the cargo is producing revenue) This can continue for a week or more on the same flight.
May 7, 2013, 10:04 am
#37
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,404
I flew back 2 weekends ago from SCL. Flight had ~85 open seats in Y and 16 open in J. They cleared 6 NRSA into J and cut it off right before myself and a friend and loaded us and the rest in Y due to weight and balance. SCL-ATL is known to be seasonally one of the worst in the system with Cargo loads. There are days where the flight will leave with 60+ open seats and not board a single NRSA. Payload optimization flights can be a nightmare for nonrevs. I know of a lot of people who have been stuck for a week watching flights go out day after day with plenty of open seats. I only wish I was so lucky 2 weeks ago to have an FA move us up after takeoff but it didn't happen and we got to stare at the 10 open J seats the entire flight. It is just part of being a Nonrev, it can be quite difficult to travel standby nowadays and so many factors are working against you.
Last edited by MSPeconomist; May 7, 2013 at 11:49 am Reason: typo
May 7, 2013, 10:18 am
#38
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: ATL
Programs: DL
Posts: 115
Would it have been considered improper for you to walk up after the seatbelt sign went off and discretely ask the purser if you could move up to an empty BE seat as a nonrev? FAs are supposedly allowed to upgrade nonrevs oon board if doing so doesn't break any other rules, such as nonrev dress codes and young kids being moved up.
May 7, 2013, 10:50 am
#39
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Likely being followed...
Programs: DYKWIA Extraordinaire. TrollSlayer Mega Diamond. [insert esoteric sounding status level(s) here]
Posts: 5,240
^
I honestly wasn't pleased to be boarded in coach but the flight benefit is still amazing and I'm not going to complain or make a scene over being cleared into a seat on a flight. Had people behind us been cleared into business or moved up in front of us, that would have been a little more frustrating