How Did I Jump To the Head of the First Class Queue?
 

I'm a lame-duck GM. I'll be reverting to FO soon.

I was booked PIT-DTW-MSP; leaving PIT at 1:30pm, 41 minute layover, arriving MSP at 4:30pm.

Upon arriving at PIT at Noon, I found out that the PIT-DTW leg was delayed 50 minutes, thus I would miss my connection. DL had already rebooked me on a PIT-MSP non-stop, leaving at 5pm, arriving at 6:30pm.

I accepted my fate, had lunch at Friday's, and worked on the laptop.

At 1pm I checked the status of my 5pm flight, and noted that my original 1:30pm flight was now back on schedule. I hurried to the gate and asked to revert back to my original itinerary.

The GA said that it would not be a problem. He upgraded me to First Class on the PIT-DTW leg, but said that I had lost my EC seat on the DTW-MSP leg; would I mind a window seat in the mid-plane (757) exit row? I accepted.

Upon arrival at the gate in DTW, I found that I was #1 on an upgrade list of 60+ people, with 5 empty FC seats..

How did that happen? Does the GA in PIT have a magic button that sends "mildly inconvenienced" GMs to the head of a Medallion-Heavy upgrade list?

I believe that IRROPs can make magic happen on the upgrade list. Ive experienced it in the past, even when the IRROP doesn't really delay me.

The GA probably rebook you into Y class thus bumping you up to number one on the upgrade list..

Many times during IRROP the only ticket/seat available will be Y on your alternative flight. Once you are book into that fare you rise to the top.

Maybe they thought you were a nonrev. :D

You were rebooked in Y. Had it happen many times; in fact, particularly when I've had a particular hardship like yours in losing a good seat, I ask them if they put me in Y and if not, ask them if it is possible. Usually works.

Don't ask. Just take the upgrade and walk away slowly!

Just make sure those PM's and DM's see your GM tag as they walk back to Y. There will be a guaranteed thread about it about shenanigans. ;)

This is exactly what happened to me during the storm in NY on Monday. My original X fare flight was cancelled and I got rebooked on one of the few ATL-LGA flights that wasn't cancelled, but on a Y fare. When I got to the gate I saw I was 1/45 on the upgrade list for 1 seat and got it, although they made me wait until the very last second given all the displaced passengers making changes due to IRROPS.

Curious, do you get the 50% MQM bonus when they rebook you into Y?

Yeah it's happened to me once too. Bumped to #1 on an upgrade list of about 55. Not sure if it is worth the extra 3 hour delay though lol

Yep.

+1. When they call F boarding, shout "clear the way, upgraded Gold coming through!"

This has happend to me twice in 2015 already

Answer...Not always- i was also rebooked into Y and got an upgrade as an FO- and was excited for the 50% MQM bonus. Alas the mileage was paid based on my original non-Y fare with no bomus

Other time i did get the bonus on the rebook - original fare was T

Because GM's never actually buy F tickets, right?! ;)