Successful seat poacher on ATL-MDW today
Aug 13, 2019, 2:41 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Treasure Coast, FL
Programs: DL Diamond, Marriott LT Plat, HH Diamond, Avis Preferred Plus, National Executive
Posts: 4,578
Successful seat poacher on ATL-MDW today
I was in 3C and 3D was empty until door close. Heard the GA tell the FA she will send over who to upgrade.
Guy from 10C moves into 3D. Prior to take off FA asks him for proof he was upgraded and he shows him his boarding pass on the app showing 10C.
FA never returns and we leave with the poacher in 3D.
Had to use the restroom and out of morbid curiosity ask the FA if my seat mate poached the seat. He confirmed yes and that a million miler in the exit row should have gotten the seat.
Crazy part is the poacher was in 10C with no one in 10B and more legroom than 3D (737-700) and free drinks.
Had a diamond tag hanging from his backpack.
Guy from 10C moves into 3D. Prior to take off FA asks him for proof he was upgraded and he shows him his boarding pass on the app showing 10C.
FA never returns and we leave with the poacher in 3D.
Had to use the restroom and out of morbid curiosity ask the FA if my seat mate poached the seat. He confirmed yes and that a million miler in the exit row should have gotten the seat.
Crazy part is the poacher was in 10C with no one in 10B and more legroom than 3D (737-700) and free drinks.
Had a diamond tag hanging from his backpack.
Aug 13, 2019, 2:45 pm
#2
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: RDU
Programs: DL(PM), UA(Silver), AA(EXP) Marriott(Ti), HH(Gold), Hertz(PC)
Posts: 2,669
Aug 13, 2019, 6:00 pm
#3
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: 100,413
Let's hope that the MMer in the exit row reads FT and complains to DL....or OP could report this to DL, as the FA willfully allowed Mr 10C/3D to steal an upgrade from an elite who earned it. Did the FA seem to know the poacher at all?
Aug 13, 2019, 6:25 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Treasure Coast, FL
Programs: DL Diamond, Marriott LT Plat, HH Diamond, Avis Preferred Plus, National Executive
Posts: 4,578
Last edited by apodo77; Aug 14, 2019 at 2:14 am
Aug 13, 2019, 7:22 pm
#6
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: CHA
Programs: DL-DM (1.75MM), Bonvoy LifeTi, Hertz-PC
Posts: 618
I've been upgraded on taxi before...at least the FA came back to me after push back, told me of the upgrade and that I can move up there after we reach cruise. So it sounds like a lazy FA. And if the MM in the exit row had been watching his app, he would have noticed the bump. That would have made for more entertainment.
Aug 14, 2019, 8:37 am
#8
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Plum Nelly
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy, Delta Sky Miles, and S&H Green Stamps
Posts: 636
Aug 14, 2019, 9:27 am
#9
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL PM, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 8,414
The one detail that seems odd to me is that the FA referred to the person who was supposed to get the upgrade as a "million miler" while the person who sat in the F seat was apparently a DM. Of course the MM could have also been a DM, but MM status on its own has no impact on upgrade priority, AFAIK.
Aug 14, 2019, 11:22 am
#11
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: CHA
Programs: DL-DM (1.75MM), Bonvoy LifeTi, Hertz-PC
Posts: 618
In my experience, with both my wife and I being DM, but only me being MM, there have been several bookings where she should have had priority in upgrading:
- booked earlier (same fare class)
- she had Amex spend, I did not
- Alphabetically, she is ahead of me (no matter in upgrade priority, just throwing it in there)
But several times, on domestic upgrades and GUC usage for TPACs, I get upgraded first every time.
I mentioned this to a DM call desk agent, and she mentioned that MM status definitely matters.
But I'll agree, there is no written verbiage stating it.
- booked earlier (same fare class)
- she had Amex spend, I did not
- Alphabetically, she is ahead of me (no matter in upgrade priority, just throwing it in there)
But several times, on domestic upgrades and GUC usage for TPACs, I get upgraded first every time.
I mentioned this to a DM call desk agent, and she mentioned that MM status definitely matters.
But I'll agree, there is no written verbiage stating it.
Aug 14, 2019, 11:59 am
#12
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Austin, Tx
Programs: DL PM, HH Plat, National Executive
Posts: 210
Wow, that was ballsy of 10C. Even if I had no morals or social norm concerns, I still think I'd be terrified I'd get called out in front of everyone if caught. I only presume 10C got away with this in the past and is emboldened to continue doing it.
Aug 14, 2019, 12:25 pm
#13
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: MCO
Programs: DL PM, UA Silver, Marriott Titanium, Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 4,319
The one detail that seems odd to me is that the FA referred to the person who was supposed to get the upgrade as a "million miler" while the person who sat in the F seat was apparently a DM. Of course the MM could have also been a DM, but MM status on its own has no impact on upgrade priority, AFAIK.
Here is a unique video that I found that shows what I’m talking about. (Go to the 0:55 mark if you don’t want to watch the whole video)
Last edited by MCO Flyer; Aug 14, 2019 at 12:31 pm
Aug 14, 2019, 12:50 pm
#14
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Home
Posts: 469
Aug 14, 2019, 12:54 pm
#15
Join Date: Sep 2011
Programs: Delta DM, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 1,495