Upgrades after boarding?
Aug 11, 2015, 1:25 pm
#1
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Upgrades after boarding?
Yesterday I flew from DTW>SFO and noticed that after everyone had boarded that there was an empty seat in 1A, despite the fact that there were still 30 odd people on the UG list. When the GA came on board with her final paperwork, the lead FA pointed out the empty seat. The GA mentioned something about a new rule that once a person has boarded then you give up the right to be upgraded. So does DL expect the #1 on the UG list to wait in the boarding area in case a seat in First becomes available at the last minute, and then board if nothing opens up? Good luck trying to find an open bin for any hand luggage at that point!
Mods, please re-post this in an appropriate thread if necessary. Thanks!
Mods, please re-post this in an appropriate thread if necessary. Thanks!
Aug 11, 2015, 1:57 pm
#3
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Yesterday I flew from DTW>SFO and noticed that after everyone had boarded that there was an empty seat in 1A, despite the fact that there were still 30 odd people on the UG list. When the GA came on board with her final paperwork, the lead FA pointed out the empty seat. The GA mentioned something about a new rule that once a person has boarded then you give up the right to be upgraded. So does DL expect the #1 on the UG list to wait in the boarding area in case a seat in First becomes available at the last minute, and then board if nothing opens up? Good luck trying to find an open bin for any hand luggage at that point!
Mods, please re-post this in an appropriate thread if necessary. Thanks!
Mods, please re-post this in an appropriate thread if necessary. Thanks!
Aug 11, 2015, 2:00 pm
#4
Join Date: Jun 2004
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Yesterday I flew from DTW>SFO and noticed that after everyone had boarded that there was an empty seat in 1A, despite the fact that there were still 30 odd people on the UG list. When the GA came on board with her final paperwork, the lead FA pointed out the empty seat. The GA mentioned something about a new rule that once a person has boarded then you give up the right to be upgraded. So does DL expect the #1 on the UG list to wait in the boarding area in case a seat in First becomes available at the last minute?...
That's not to say a GA won't ever come on board and upgrade #1 just before the door closes. I remember an ATL-AUS flight about five months ago. The Delta app showed me about four below the one available upgrade. So I boarded early. Later GA comes on board and upgrades me.
Aug 11, 2015, 2:02 pm
#5
Formerly known as jbalis
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I get the so called battle field upgrade quite often, I know most of the GA at my home small airport and try to mention in the nicest possible way that I am 1 on the list and boarding the plane. I am more often then not told "oh thank you for telling me if there ends up being a seat I will come get you.". Low and behold it happens pretty often. A lot of times a little kindness coupled with a smile and a great attitude goes a long way. YMMV
Aug 11, 2015, 2:06 pm
#6
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It happened to me recently that the GA came on board when I was #1 on the list, and already seated in C+, and upgraded me to FC. That's why I wasn't sure about this rule as the GA yesterday was definitely telling the lead FA that it was a "new "rule"!
Last edited by audidudi; Aug 11, 2015 at 3:58 pm
Aug 11, 2015, 2:36 pm
#8
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Yes, it is not a new rule. Been that way for years. Board you lose. If you are on the bubble, I'd hang back and check with the GA after everyone boards.
That's not to say a GA won't ever come on board and upgrade #1 just before the door closes. I remember an ATL-AUS flight about five months ago. The Delta app showed me about four below the one available upgrade. So I boarded early. Later GA comes on board and upgrades me.
That's not to say a GA won't ever come on board and upgrade #1 just before the door closes. I remember an ATL-AUS flight about five months ago. The Delta app showed me about four below the one available upgrade. So I boarded early. Later GA comes on board and upgrades me.
Aug 11, 2015, 3:13 pm
#11
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I get the so called battle field upgrade quite often, I know most of the GA at my home small airport and try to mention in the nicest possible way that I am 1 on the list and boarding the plane. I am more often then not told "oh thank you for telling me if there ends up being a seat I will come get you.". Low and behold it happens pretty often. A lot of times a little kindness coupled with a smile and a great attitude goes a long way. YMMV
Aug 11, 2015, 3:27 pm
#13
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This is incorrect. It has been the rule for at least 4 years. GA's disregard it when they have the time. But, if the push is delayed because the agent doesn't timely close out the flight, it's the agent who gets dinged.
Solution is that if there are X seats remaining and you are within X on the list, ask. If the GA commits to getting you, take your seat. If the agent tells you, things are too tight, make up your mind. If the agent tells you he'll fetch you if there's time, you also have a decision.
Personally, it would be better to establish and stick to the rule. All it does is disappoint people who thought it would work.
Solution is that if there are X seats remaining and you are within X on the list, ask. If the GA commits to getting you, take your seat. If the agent tells you, things are too tight, make up your mind. If the agent tells you he'll fetch you if there's time, you also have a decision.
Personally, it would be better to establish and stick to the rule. All it does is disappoint people who thought it would work.
Aug 11, 2015, 3:35 pm
#14
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It's not new and it's not a rule. It sounds like a lazy GA in that there's no evidence that there wasn't time to move up one person. Also, telling the FA that it was a new rule is just another example of a DL employee making up stuff when it's convenient.
Aug 11, 2015, 6:54 pm
#15
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This is incorrect. It has been the rule for at least 4 years. GA's disregard it when they have the time. But, if the push is delayed because the agent doesn't timely close out the flight, it's the agent who gets dinged.
Solution is that if there are X seats remaining and you are within X on the list, ask. If the GA commits to getting you, take your seat. If the agent tells you, things are too tight, make up your mind. If the agent tells you he'll fetch you if there's time, you also have a decision.
Personally, it would be better to establish and stick to the rule. All it does is disappoint people who thought it would work.
Solution is that if there are X seats remaining and you are within X on the list, ask. If the GA commits to getting you, take your seat. If the agent tells you, things are too tight, make up your mind. If the agent tells you he'll fetch you if there's time, you also have a decision.
Personally, it would be better to establish and stick to the rule. All it does is disappoint people who thought it would work.