Maybe BA moved me because they were nice. They seem to have the nicest employees over
there (THough I don't know about their Club
Rooms.) The weight thing may have been out
that but at the time I had a little bit more
in my gut area then I do now.

In the world of upgrades I think our fate's
in the hands of the upgrade Gods... If they are in a good mood then we are enjoying FIRST. CATMAN

On Seinfeld during an episode of Bob Cobb wanting to be called Maestro instead of Bob, a scene went something like this...

Jerry: "Elaine, from now on, I want to be called Jerry the Great"

Elaine: "I'm not going to call you that"

Jerry: "Why not? I'm Jerry, and I'm Great!"

Personally, I don't like the idea of people bringing their professional titles outside of their own environment. In the hospital, a MD can be called Dr.., at an institution of higher learning, a PhD. can be call Dr., At the White House or on Capital hill, the Mr. Clinton can add "President" to his title; in a English place of royalty, Charles(forgot his last name) can be referred to as Prince Charles, in the courtroom, a judge is "your honor", and while on active duty, you can add your rank to your title, but outside of one's environment for which their title applies, Mr. or Ms. is all that I think is appropriate. A person with a PhD means they passed an 8-year curriculum and a Prince accomplished the act of being born...so???, you are still Mr. or Ms. to me! ...no wait...maybe I do like titles afterall...how about Supreme Prince Justin ...wow!!! ...I am now royalty! Anyone else want a title? For 10 bucks I can make you into a King or Queen. *L*

Justin: I feel so ashamed now - I will immediately remove my academic title (whid understand anyway outside Europe) from my profile.

And now I feel so naked - you did stole the "kings" (my) clothes.

Justin: I feel so ashamed now - I will immediately remove my academic title (which nobody did understand anyway outside Europe) from my profile.

And now I feel so naked - you did stole the "kings" (my) clothes.

Herr Doktor Professor Rudi...

I think it's okay to have a title on your profile: if you're a Dr, you're a Dr.

What would be wrong would be to expect upgrades because of a title. A lot of the time airlines look for SFU people, & perhaps they choose some people with the label Dr in the hope that they are better dressed/better mannered than the average passenger.

Personally, I don't like the whole Mr/Ms/Mrs/Miss nonsense - I always said that the only title I'd ever use would be Dr, because you have to earn it. So my profile is just first name/last name. (no PhD...)

The doctors I know do fly in coach too, Justin... it's just a theory about the upgrades.

I'm not into the title stuff at all (Dr.
Mr. etc.)

Just call me Mark. Or CATMAN. CATMAN

baobab, I guess the idea that someone would get something that others do not, simply because they have a title, makes me a little upset...even if the title is "earned". If the academic community wishes to recognize someone with 8 years of college with a special title, like Dr., then fine...but in public...I think the title is rather arrogant. Both of my parents have their Doctorates, but I have never recalled them using their titles outside of the University.

I think I will take my newly-thought-of name and create "Dr. J"...wow!...I just saved 8 years of college. ...today's special...get an enhanced title of "Dr." for just 5 bucks! ..and if you are very wealthly...I will add "$." as a title so everyone will know you got big bucks.

Ok, I think I'm done. Did I get the Nancy/Emmitt award for today????

No awards today! nancy, herself, got it in the 12:33 p.m. AA post.

Okay (backing away from the sensitive subject...)

The impression I've had is that airlines determine upgrades primarily on ff-status, followed by fare basis, traveller profile & appearance, not necessarily in that order. The wild card that beats all the others is individual airline employee's discretion.

The last time I was upgraded, the check in agent made a phonecall to someone else, stating that there was a note that she should call when I checked in. After a brief conversation (and without my requesting anything) she told me I was being upgraded & gave me my boarding card. My guess is that I was upgraded thanks to my ff-status/profile.

So keep flying Justin - the Gold card/1K etc ffs are the ones who get the most upgrades. (and Catman, of course)

Justin... you stuck to the topic and it was
frequent flyer related: Does title/appearance
improve chances of upgrades??

I have been upgraded in Levi denim Jacket
and Converse High tops and went on the wait
list in a Hickey Freeman/Nordstrom dress
suit. I don't have a title (except CATMAN)
so that doesn't give me an advantage.

What I will do when I have the time (after my
trips) is to do the percentage of upgrades.
As PremEx my percentage is around 75-80, but
I end up on the most in demand flights (chiccago, L-A.)

Maybe someone with cat hair on his clothes
gets upgraded faster!!! CATMAN

It's not just what you wear but how you wear it Catman...

A lot of supermodels, superrich & creative types travel in first - they're not going to be wearing suits. On the other hand, someone who's just spent six months backpacking around the Himalayas & hasn't seen a bath in a while is not likely to be upgraded (except for me after my night on the floor at Heathrow).

Do you think that the airlines consider who their paying (ie full fare) customers might want to sit next to?

Justin... Insult my Prince huh? "Just born? huh" I think when your Mother is Her Majesty the Queen by the Grace of God, Defender of the faith etc...

You should be entitled to Elite status! Ok so His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales (Note not Prince Charles!!) has a BA Premier card and only ever buys economy tickets in the full knowledge that he will be upgraded, but what the hell, he'll be King one day.

There arn't that many of us who can say, if you don't treat me right I will use my private Air Squadron next time.

Or how about, if you don't upgrade me I won't sign the next bit of legislation which comes my way asking for you to merge with AA.

Or wouldn't you love to say "It's Ok, I won't use your Club Lounge today - I'll go over to the Royal Suite, and by the way have the aircraft parked outside"

Now as for being a Doctor or Phd (or Princess Margeret) I don't think that is quite the same.
MERRY FLYER

PS: As Charles in Prince Regent to 34% of the world's population his space is pretty big!

Merry Flyer: I like you statement very-much and I save it to use it myself somewhere in the future (please grant me your copy-right).

It is in the best tradition of british humour - at least as I learned it as a student trainee in London some 35 years ago.

The only royalty I acknowledge is that of my cat, Aubie. He is an orange tabby and sits as if he were a lion on his throne. Lions are King, people are equal.

We (Swiss) killed all royalties in 1291.

When Royalties marry or die these days now - 90% of (my) people watch TV with tears in their eyes ...