My wife is SE (and we were on separate records) and when flying DTW-TPA 3 Nov the agent told us that F was full. Something did not smell right - I couldn't figure it out.... well in the end my wife sat up front and I sat in the back, however - there were 2 NWA employees in F one was wearing a full uniform(the other I knew from the luggage). Ok if it was paid... however the one in the uniform specifically said she was deadheading and thanked the agent.

Look - not that big of a deal - a 2 hour flight, however is this NW policy?

What was the chain of events that allowed your wife, a Silver, to get the upgrade before you, a Platinum? Perhaps that's the more troubling question.

It may have been that the employee(s) were flying on positive space F class tickets purchased by the company. They may have it in their contracts for certain trips or they may have been flying for training or on some other company business. We won't know unless we can hear from the employees or GAs themselves.

If, however, they were just commuting from home to their base, I don't believe NW has a policy that allows FAs to bump paying pax out of first. Of course, there is always the chance that the GA was playing favors...but there's no proof of that and going down that road can only lead to unproductive things...

I assume he got the upgrade but let his wife sit up front.

The OP clearly said that the GA was "deadheading." Unless I completely have missed the concept of deadheading, it sounds pretty clear to my small layperson's brain that there was no ticket purchased on her behalf by anyone for that particular flight, let alone class of service. Unless you believe that the agent mistakenly thought she was deadheading and didn't realize the airline had bought her a ticket (which she obviously hadn't ever seen or had or given to anyone), which seems ridiculous, especially since she "thanked the agent" which obviously means she knew she wasn't supposed to be up there.

Agreed...guessing about the GA's motives is not productive and not what the OP did or asked about. What can also lead to unproductive things is "guessing" at what NWA's policy may or may not be. The OP asked a very specific question: Is it NWA's policy to allow deadheading employees (in uniform) to sit in F for any reason when there is a waiting list of Elites? While I'd be surprised if it is the policy, an informed answer is what was requested and is what would be helpful...

Regardless of whether there is such a policy or not, it is TOTALLY inappropriate for an employee in uniform sitting in First to even mention deadheading to anyone within earshot of passengers.

(Which there was "proof" of the agent saying, according to OP, by the way).

Was the "deadheading" crew member a pilot or an FA?

The term "deadheading" has been covered before on the NW forum (see post #3 in this thread ). On NW, a "deadheading" crew member is one that is flying to get to their next job assignment, and it's been reported here by NW employees that apparently pilots in this situation have a contract clause that puts them in F.

Thanking the agent might have been a simple common courtesy.

Then be surprised. Deadheading NW pilots fly in F.

That's just plain silly. I've had any number of conversations with pilots & FA's who are deadheading & commuting in both cabins. If they're in uniform, they're either deadheading or they're commuting.

Good grief. Are the employees supposed to have a secret handshake followed by a wink and a nod to signify they're deadheading? Be reasonable. The GA needs to know these things and the employees have to tell them. The fact that it is overheard by the passenger is irrelevant.

I really wish you'd go pick on someone else. It's obvious you have a personal agenda with me, and it's really growing tiresome. Several FTers have sent me unsolicited PMs confirming this impression I have, so I know it's not just me.

What I said was that I'd be surprised if it's policy. Which is what the OP was asking about. Obviously, even just from reading the OP we know that NW employees in uniform fly in F. I don't like the fact that non-revs take space in F if they prevent a paying elite from getting an upgrade. But if it's their policy it's the policy. That still is the question on the table, I believe...

It was a FA.

I am thinking I should write to NWA and ask. Who would be best to write to?