YBYL (you board, you lose) policy is now more flexible
Dec 18, 2018, 1:35 pm
#406
Join Date: Mar 2018
Programs: SkyMiles 2018 PM, 2019 PM, 2020 PM, 2021 PM, 2022 PM, 2023 PM...
Posts: 314
Flew ATL-LAX on Sunday 12/02. Enormously long upgrade list, and even with my RUC waitlisted I was #5 for 0 seats. We were nearly closed up for departure, and an FA walked to the back of the aircraft and returned to the front with two passengers. I checked the upgrade list on my app and the first two on the list had cleared presumably due to no-shows.
Battlefield upgrades out of ATL are rare, so I was glad to see it happen even though I remained stuck in coach.
Battlefield upgrades out of ATL are rare, so I was glad to see it happen even though I remained stuck in coach.
Last Wednesday, the earthquake woke everyone up early and I couldn't fall back asleep so I called in the PM line. Flew to LAX early...
Anyway, CSR confirms me on the early flight (no standby), but 0 C+.
Talk to the GA when I arrive, and I'm thinking I've got no hope for the big seat but I'm 1 of ____ for C+, so I'll wait.
They tell me go ahead and board, and they'll get me, etc. etc. and I say I've got a good feeling. I get cleared about T-25 or 20. Get on... other C+ seats were empty and stayed empty. No battlefield UGs.
I'm convinced at this point that there are no C+ UGs unless there is a corresponding F UG. I'll probably have more YBYL with C+ as GM next year... I think the drinks are worth the wait. This is my ATL experience for sure.
Jan 2, 2019, 8:05 pm
#407
Join Date: Dec 2011
Programs: DL DM PM
Posts: 2,033
My first experience playing the YBYL game is a win. I was seated way in the bowels of the plane to DCA, having incurred a delay on my flight to ATL and missing my original connection.
At boarding time I was 4/37 for 0 and I waited in SC until general boarding was winding down. After going to the gate, I approached the GA and asked whether FC had boarded full. She said one hadn't yet showed. This was T - 20 min and I said I'd wait and could move quickly if needed, either to my assigned seat in Y or my desired seat in FC. I had no luggage (just a purse) and waited there while the stragglers with tight connection ran along and boarded. The GA said the remaining FC pax had checked in late, only just in time to make the cut so she had no idea where they were or whether they would make it. Makes me think it was an ATL-based pax rather than a connector, and s/he got caught in traffic or at security.
At T-10 min + 30 sec, the GA said "only 30 sec to go" and at exactly T-10 min, she pinged me in and gave me my BP for 5D. I took my seat quickly and the flight closed, and off we went. No Shena, just an unclaimed seat given to someone with no overhead, no hassle. I have to say it is the most enjoyable UG I ever got.
At boarding time I was 4/37 for 0 and I waited in SC until general boarding was winding down. After going to the gate, I approached the GA and asked whether FC had boarded full. She said one hadn't yet showed. This was T - 20 min and I said I'd wait and could move quickly if needed, either to my assigned seat in Y or my desired seat in FC. I had no luggage (just a purse) and waited there while the stragglers with tight connection ran along and boarded. The GA said the remaining FC pax had checked in late, only just in time to make the cut so she had no idea where they were or whether they would make it. Makes me think it was an ATL-based pax rather than a connector, and s/he got caught in traffic or at security.
At T-10 min + 30 sec, the GA said "only 30 sec to go" and at exactly T-10 min, she pinged me in and gave me my BP for 5D. I took my seat quickly and the flight closed, and off we went. No Shena, just an unclaimed seat given to someone with no overhead, no hassle. I have to say it is the most enjoyable UG I ever got.
Jan 2, 2019, 8:26 pm
#408
Join Date: Mar 2018
Programs: SkyMiles 2018 PM, 2019 PM, 2020 PM, 2021 PM, 2022 PM, 2023 PM...
Posts: 314
My first experience playing the YBYL game is a win. I was seated way in the bowels of the plane to DCA, having incurred a delay on my flight to ATL and missing my original connection.
At boarding time I was 4/37 for 0 and I waited in SC until general boarding was winding down. After going to the gate, I approached the GA and asked whether FC had boarded full. She said one hadn't yet showed. This was T - 20 min and I said I'd wait and could move quickly if needed, either to my assigned seat in Y or my desired seat in FC. I had no luggage (just a purse) and waited there while the stragglers with tight connection ran along and boarded. The GA said the remaining FC pax had checked in late, only just in time to make the cut so she had no idea where they were or whether they would make it. Makes me think it was an ATL-based pax rather than a connector, and s/he got caught in traffic or at security.
At T-10 min + 30 sec, the GA said "only 30 sec to go" and at exactly T-10 min, she pinged me in and gave me my BP for 5D. I took my seat quickly and the flight closed, and off we went. No Shena, just an unclaimed seat given to someone with no overhead, no hassle. I have to say it is the most enjoyable UG I ever got.
At boarding time I was 4/37 for 0 and I waited in SC until general boarding was winding down. After going to the gate, I approached the GA and asked whether FC had boarded full. She said one hadn't yet showed. This was T - 20 min and I said I'd wait and could move quickly if needed, either to my assigned seat in Y or my desired seat in FC. I had no luggage (just a purse) and waited there while the stragglers with tight connection ran along and boarded. The GA said the remaining FC pax had checked in late, only just in time to make the cut so she had no idea where they were or whether they would make it. Makes me think it was an ATL-based pax rather than a connector, and s/he got caught in traffic or at security.
At T-10 min + 30 sec, the GA said "only 30 sec to go" and at exactly T-10 min, she pinged me in and gave me my BP for 5D. I took my seat quickly and the flight closed, and off we went. No Shena, just an unclaimed seat given to someone with no overhead, no hassle. I have to say it is the most enjoyable UG I ever got.
Jan 2, 2019, 9:43 pm
#409
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2006
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Witnessed it twice this past weekend. Friday on DTW/ORD I was number 1 of 0 seats and just boarded with premium since it was an RJ and having bin space was a lot more a lot more important to me than an upgrade on a 45 minute flight and the GA came on board and pulled me and I think there was someone waiting at the gate hoping for a no-show who had a platinum tag on his bag who was waiting by the gate when I boarded with Prem that boarded just before they shut the door who had to pink tag his bag because there was no bin space. Was great to see the GA pull me when someone below me waited at the gate even though it was a short flight. Yesterday at MDW a GA came on board and pulled someone from coach who was next on the list even though the flight was delayed by a half hour so some GA's are following the correct procedure.
Jan 3, 2019, 10:55 am
#410
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: KATL
Programs: DL, WN, AA, Marriott, Hertz, National, Chic-fil-A
Posts: 234
I remember being a newly-minted FO at the beginning of my frequent travel career in ~ Oct. 2008 hoping for a nice FC upgrade on an ATL-LAX flight. The GA calmly advised me to just hold tight in the gate area until boarding was complete. I watched the last pax board the packed 763 and he handed me my new BP for F, and gave me a subtle fist-bump and I was the last one down the jetway. A nice welcome to some kind of elevated status at Delta.
But that was when the economy was literally crashing and we were at risk for a systemic meltdown of the global financial system. I guess that thinned the ranks a bit and allowed FOs to have more than a snowball's chance in Hades, esp. in ATL.
But that was when the economy was literally crashing and we were at risk for a systemic meltdown of the global financial system. I guess that thinned the ranks a bit and allowed FOs to have more than a snowball's chance in Hades, esp. in ATL.
Jan 3, 2019, 12:06 pm
#411
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Minneapolis and Phoenix-2 weeks per month each
Programs: Delta DM, MM
Posts: 476
New Years day, Phx to MSP, long upgrade list. 15 minutes before take off, a standby person (presume non-rev) was given a first class seat. We were way down the upgrade list, but had I been #1 , I would have been pissed. Doors closed 10 minutes early, so the agent had plenty of time to upgrade someone.
Jan 3, 2019, 1:24 pm
#412
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: EDI/GLA
Programs: DL 2 MM Unobtainum | UA 1.1MM Gold | MR Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 2,269
My first experience playing the YBYL game is a win. I was seated way in the bowels of the plane to DCA, having incurred a delay on my flight to ATL and missing my original connection.
At boarding time I was 4/37 for 0 and I waited in SC until general boarding was winding down. After going to the gate, I approached the GA and asked whether FC had boarded full. She said one hadn't yet showed. This was T - 20 min and I said I'd wait and could move quickly if needed, either to my assigned seat in Y or my desired seat in FC. I had no luggage (just a purse) and waited there while the stragglers with tight connection ran along and boarded. The GA said the remaining FC pax had checked in late, only just in time to make the cut so she had no idea where they were or whether they would make it. Makes me think it was an ATL-based pax rather than a connector, and s/he got caught in traffic or at security.
At T-10 min + 30 sec, the GA said "only 30 sec to go" and at exactly T-10 min, she pinged me in and gave me my BP for 5D. I took my seat quickly and the flight closed, and off we went. No Shena, just an unclaimed seat given to someone with no overhead, no hassle. I have to say it is the most enjoyable UG I ever got.
At boarding time I was 4/37 for 0 and I waited in SC until general boarding was winding down. After going to the gate, I approached the GA and asked whether FC had boarded full. She said one hadn't yet showed. This was T - 20 min and I said I'd wait and could move quickly if needed, either to my assigned seat in Y or my desired seat in FC. I had no luggage (just a purse) and waited there while the stragglers with tight connection ran along and boarded. The GA said the remaining FC pax had checked in late, only just in time to make the cut so she had no idea where they were or whether they would make it. Makes me think it was an ATL-based pax rather than a connector, and s/he got caught in traffic or at security.
At T-10 min + 30 sec, the GA said "only 30 sec to go" and at exactly T-10 min, she pinged me in and gave me my BP for 5D. I took my seat quickly and the flight closed, and off we went. No Shena, just an unclaimed seat given to someone with no overhead, no hassle. I have to say it is the most enjoyable UG I ever got.
Jan 3, 2019, 2:27 pm
#414
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Austin, Tx
Programs: DL PM, HH Plat, National Executive
Posts: 210
Jan 3, 2019, 2:27 pm
#415
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: MCO
Programs: DL PM, UA Silver, Marriott Titanium, Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 4,310
How? If the GA was planning on doing an onboard UG than the OP would have been told no because he/she wasn’t #1 on the list. The only time I’ll ever try and wait and see if there is a possibility of a no show is if I am 1 or 2 on the list, but never as far down as #4. Some GAs are rude enough when I ask about the possibility of a no show when I am #1 on the list so I wouldn’t even want to try it as #4 as I would probably get laughed at especially with some of ATL’s finest GAs.
Jan 3, 2019, 2:31 pm
#416
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How? If the GA was planning on doing an onboard UG than the OP would have been told no because he/she wasn’t #1 on the list. The only time I’ll ever try and wait and see if there is a possibility of a no show is if I am 1 or 2 on the list, but never as far down as #4. Some GAs are rude enough when I ask about the possibility of a no show when I am #1 on the list so I wouldn’t even want to try it as #4 as I would probably get laughed at especially with some of ATL’s finest GAs.
Why do you care whether some random ATL GA that you'll probably never see again laughs at you for asking a question?
Jan 3, 2019, 2:40 pm
#417
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: MCO
Programs: DL PM, UA Silver, Marriott Titanium, Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 4,310
I really don’t care if a GA laughs at me but it just seems irrational to ask about the possibility of no shows when I’m not #1 or #2 on the list as the odds of more than 2 no shows is possible but very unlikely. Now if I’m #1 or #2 on the list, I will inquire about no shows every time.
Jan 3, 2019, 2:48 pm
#418
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Join Date: Sep 2006
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United and American has no problems coming on board to pull the next person, not sure why delta does
Jan 3, 2019, 3:04 pm
#419
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: MEM
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Posts: 5,431
How? If the GA was planning on doing an onboard UG than the OP would have been told no because he/she wasn’t #1 on the list. The only time I’ll ever try and wait and see if there is a possibility of a no show is if I am 1 or 2 on the list, but never as far down as #4. Some GAs are rude enough when I ask about the possibility of a no show when I am #1 on the list so I wouldn’t even want to try it as #4 as I would probably get laughed at especially with some of ATL’s finest GAs.
Jan 4, 2019, 12:58 am
#420
Join Date: Dec 2011
Programs: DL DM PM
Posts: 2,033
Exacfly. I had no connection to anybody at the gate or to DL in general, just a FF DM willing to stay at the gate in case there was a no-show because I had no need for OH bin space or to be on board any time before the flight closed. If #1-3 on the UG list had not boarded or if the FC pax had shown up 10 min before flight closed, I would have been happy (well not happy but ok) taking my seat in non-C+, non-preferred coach.