I wish for a newbie like me, the information was more available. I see others getting their education here (or at least saying they have), but either the lingo or the assumed knowledge is higher than I'm grasping. If I was wealthier, I'd fly one of you know-it-alls over to explain the ins and outs of this in person. Help make sense of it all.

I'd like to learn in, I really would.

+1 to that. There's a fine line between getting where you want to go in style, and being obsessive/compulsive about optimizing every single detail. For me, I decided that mileage running to keep top-tier status for domestic F wasn't worth it over flying a LCC and arriving sooner.

Give us a chance! We were all once Newbies.. I've got some knowledge in Hotel areas, so I share what I know.. I've learned alot about flying just by hanging in here.

"does all this posturing and gaming and stress worth it? "

It all depends on the flight duration and time. I probably wouldn't have tried so hard on that run, but it's up to you really and how much stress it gives you.

However, I would have done that and more for an Int'l, TPAC etc....okay, maybe not have tried to move a window to an aisle at every turn...

Too much information. Changing routes due to weather forecasts and checking upgrade availability is what adds to the stress. I've learned to roll with it. I may look at the weather to see if I need a coat or not, but usually it gets deleted from the printed boarding pass before I glance at it. Domestic upgrades are not worth stressing about unless it's the red-eye from the left coast. I have only changed a routing on International trips to maximize my upgrade potential or choice of coach seat, but never on domestic.

I do OK with very limited information, even if I do miss occasional upgrades. My focus is instead on getting million miler on DL for lifetime elite. Sitting in the back counts just as much as sitting up front for this.

-outoftown
Lifetime Plat AA
Lifetime US elite
working on lifetime DL elite

I've got 21 years of perspective to bring to bear on this one, including being part of the first 1% self-booking online (via EAASY SABRE on green screens back in 1990, if you can believe).

The availability and sophistication of all the tools has grown seemingly exponentially over the years, and indeed that means there are some cases where you track something to see it crash and burn (like an upgrade), or your carefully chosen seat turns out to be one of the worst because some 400-pounder on standby gets the middle next to you at the very last minute. In the olden days you would have been none the wiser (and the flying experience was generally better, anyway).

Even an old standby strategy like trying to get an exit-row seat has potential to backfire now, as those only help with LENGTH issues or trying to avoid squalling, spitting lap children next to you. Too many people with width issues have been trying to change to exit row seats at the last minute lately, I've noticed (hint: It's not any wider).

They may have changed the procedure, but I also remember knowing cases where I'd get SSSS'ed on the boarding pass or possibly ambush-searched in the jetway.

Loved the original post!

I am about to embark on the most flying I have done in quite some time. I'm not looking forward to it, but I am looking forward to the work on the other end of the flight. I keep trying to remind myself, it's not about the flight, it's about the destination.

Now, when I get stuck overnight in Philadelphia or Washington, ask me if I can hold on to that attitude!

Too true! I've learned to generally AVOID the exit row because at my 6'3" and 250+, the exit row is almost always completely full with guys my size or bigger...offsetting the relative "pleasure" of the extra legroom. In other rows I find I have better odds of getting the desired small, pleasant-smelling woman as my seatmate. (And I know that last sentence has the following reaction: My fellow "big guys" are all nodding their heads in knowing agreement, and the rest of you are scoffing at this strategic consideration because you've never FWB - Flown While Big.)

Of course DL has eff'd this whole strategy up by blocking out the bulkheads for pre-selection, so like most elites I pretty much have no choice but to pre-book the exit row as my "default" and then hope for the upgrade...knowing full well that if my upgrade doesn't clear I'm stuck next to my fellow "big guys".

It's important to remember that all the knowledge we amass on FT only gives us the possibility of improving our travel experience. We spend time and effort working the system merely to increase our chances of getting great seats, securing upgrades, making the best of IRROPS, etc. We are not guaranteed good results. So you had one trip where all that knowledge and effort didn't help you come out ahead. How many others have you taken where it did?

I used to fly 150K miles a year and 100+ nights a year in hotels. Lots of upgrades, miles, perks, etc.

Then I stopped travel for business. I flew for pleasure 2-3 times a year. I lost my status. I was the lowest form of life known to FT.......a kettle. I know fly once a month on average. But since since I now live in a small, non-hub market and fly whatever is cheapest, I have no meaningful amount of miles or status on any airline.

After a while I stopped caring. So I sat in a middle seat and had to wait an extra 10 mins in the TSA line. Meh. Life goes on.

And now I walk onto the plane and see the 1st class people sneering at us lowly coach dwellers. I see myself 5-10 years ago. Half of me envies them for being in 1st. The other half is relieved I don't have to spend so much time in a plane to get the upgrades.

My stress levels when I fly now are almost non-existent. I know I won't get upgraded so I don't obsessively check online if I got it. I don't spend time pleading with GAs for an upgrade. I don't stare the the upgrade screen at the gate and hope and pray that since I'm #3 on the list, 3 people don't show up. Or wonder to myself why I am #3 since I should be #1 since I'm so darned special. I don't feel like I was snubbed if I don't get the upgrade and spend the whole flight pissed off that I have to be in coach.

^ to your post, KoKoBuddy.

At this point I'm in the worst possible mindset: A former 9 year NW/DL PM who has now dropped to Gold, resulting in enough fewer upgrades to be disappointed, and yet still with enough status to stress and wonder about the perks of which I can still avail myself. It sucks. (I especially relate all too well to your comment about staring at the upgrade screen, since now I seldom get my upgrade days ahead of time like I used to, and have to just hope for the BF upgrades.)

I envy you, KoKoBuddy (seriously) - I look forward to the day/time when I'm where you are...a comparatively stress-free occasional flyer, yet someone with enough knowledge of the system to still know the ropes.

And I know what you're trying to say about it only counting if it's taking away from paid work. But I'd definitely pay 13 cents an hour to watch that TV show, or, more importantly, spend time with my kids, or get exercise, or be able to eat a home-cooked meal, rather than processed crap out of the freezer.

When I see the things people do to save a few bucks, I don't think people value their leisure time enough.

Good post, OP. I agree with some of your thoughts, many times. Although I love getting upgrades, lounge access for free, elite boarding, and all the little perks, the time and energy invested into this whole endeavor is quite significant.

For an 11 hour flight to get into business from economy, I probably invest way more than 11 hours total time to get that upgrade. I dont know if it's worth it sometimes, the mental anguish, time looking for NC availability, searching on FT, etc. I spend way too much time with this stuff, so I wonder if my time is just better spent doing other things and sitting in the back of the bus.

Like a MR where you spend ten hours on a plane to get a few thousand miles that are worth $100?

Not exactly. You spend money to fly 12-24 hours so you can get status + miles. The miles may not be worth it, but the status + miles may be. Depending on the FF program and how much you plan to travel next year.