As opposed to suckers who pay $5,000+ for a J class ticket only to be treated like crap when there are IROPS while someone who is SE, and paid $500 for a Y class ticket is met by a concierge and gets white glove treatment?

Just as beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so too is the perception of special treatment.

I was on a Rouge flight, seat 3D in J recently, NAS-YYZ, an older couple, well dressed sat in the 3AC seats across from me. Before the door closed the FA asked to see my bp, then asked the couple in 3AC for their bps. Of course they were trying to self-upgrade, so when busted by the FA they asked if they could pay then and there...FA said not possible, they moved to their assigned seats in Y. Everybody was polite and civilized...handled exactly as it should have been. Well, except the FA, Obviously assumed that since I was in jeans and a Columbia fishing shirt and had longish hair and seated alone, that I was the self-upgrader as opposed to the gent in the sportscoat and tie with the well dresed wife.

Funny that. Not. As I ranted elsewhere, even in my best biz clothes, AC staff (check-in agents and Aisle 1 bouncers) at YYZ, YUL and YVR seem to think I don't belong in the SE/Priority line. Anyway, I have a new tactic to deal with that nonsense.

As for the self-upgraders, I'm starting to wonder if they are related to the opportunistic thieves that roam about planes, grabbing chargers and chips as they see fit. They all think there's nothing wrong unless they get caught.

You can just go complete Yolo with T-Shirts and sweatpants/sport shorts

Somehow the AC agents didnt give me the condescending look this time or even tried to stop me.

I have a theory about that too.

I'm not talking about " self upgraders" Ie , passengers trying to seat in J and being caught. People will or can try anything.

I'm talking about the on board staff , in the air, 15 miniutes after take off, grabbing passenger form Y , to seat them in J.
This was my scenario.

Eat lots of gluten and flatulate

Maybe at the time of ....

But not sure "After"

This started to happen to me too. I think it's SOP unless your vanity tag is on display.

I've perfected the technique of greeting them. On approach, say "Good afternoon, how's your day?" If your timing is just right, by the time they've politely responded, you can be past them and preempt the challenge question. If you're a fast walker, a simple "Good afternoon" can get the job done.

Your technique?

That's great, until you encounter an agent who doesn't believe you have status, even when they're staring at your PNR on their screen, and accuses you of using your father's Aeroplan number.

Nothing can solve the problem of agents thinking you don't belong in that line or seat. But they should certainly question the person who's sitting in what should be an unoccupied seat. If I'm in 3D and the manifest says 3D is supposed to be occupied, I should not be the first person asked for a BP.

Of course assumptions should never be made and there's no excuse for rudeness.

But your youth and boyish charm are burdens you must bear. You might try a polo shirt.

I remember the story about the guys stealing the chips, but now having read other threads , it is clear to me that he was probably gluten-free, was denied nuts by the FA and was foraging for something to eat.

Foraging ....on AC.....LOL

If they have no bread to eat, give them pickles.

I once witnessed Delta employees giving FC service to an elderly lady who was flying alone and obviously a bit overwhelmed by what was going on. She was sitting next to me in Economy Comfort and I tried to help her as best as I could, but there was a limit to what I could do as passenger.

So....

To help her out she got the first class meal service. When she asked for tea they brought out the FC service with the little pot of hot water and a basket of teas she could select from. They also brought her a nice pillow and blanket. I thought they were very nice to do that for her and I would not want to see them have to stop.

OTOH,

I can see why people would get upset if they pay for front cabin seats and service and see somebody who can easily tolerate Economy get it for free. But, let's also have some heart for those people like this elderly lady who was obviously anxious about the flying experience. Sooner or later we all hope to be elderly ourselves, as the alternative is not very inviting.