"O would some power the gift to give us to see ourselves as others see us."

Robert Burns

^
...without which FT would be a quiet and desolate place...

Happy R B day!

In celebration I am having a Caol Ila with my Haggis!

Last week my sister had to fly out to be with her spouse in an emergency. I snagged her a ticket on UA (same day) using some of my miles. When she got to the airport they asked her why she was flying same day and she told them she was flying to be with her hubby who had just been hospitalized in serious condition in another city. They quietly upgraded her to business class (F was full), and she was so grateful. She said she was able to get some rest (before what has turned out to be a frightening ordeal at the hospital). So, you might consider that some folks who get upgraded aren't just kettles who are gaga over getting to sit in the champagne seats. They might be people heading out to face a trying situation and need all the rest and consideration they can get.

^ Good comment. I find that people who are first class (in the true sense of the word, not the flying sense) really don't go around making fun of "kettles".

I find that people who deny the existence of the riff raff and ignorant pax who make life hard for everyone else are egalitarian to the point of delusion.

fooiyipupupup

Then again some of the big-headed people worship themselves enough-- they don't need someone to do it for them, although that's probably a job requirement lol

But it was in the shop, honest. I wasn't making it up.

I'd consider myself a rather seasoned traveler but i'm still snapping pics on the longhaul F flights for the benefit of our trip report forum (albeit not pictures of myself).

Ditto. Minus the "F", alas. Someday.

Look, I make a desent living. I'm well off I drive a nice BMW but that means nothing. I wouldnt consider myself rich. I make 195k BEFORE taxes, and when its all said and done (car payments, school, mortgage, groceries, medical bills, etc..) what's left?
Every personal travel flight I'm on I'm thankful for. Thankful that I can afford that luxury when so many people can't.

When I'm on a business trip and there's some kid or 20 something upgraded to F for the first time It reminds me of myself.

It seems that these days we forget about just how hard it is to bring home the bacon for the majority of the people.

SFO being so elite-heavy on UA, I rarely get upgraded, but it's always a treat when I do.

I blew some miles to upgrade The Spouse & I for an upcoming vacation and it will be his first time in F. I'm looking forward to him being the wide-eyed guy with the big smile. I promise he won't take a ton of photos or start calling people to brag though.

^ Good comment. I find that people who are first class (in the true sense of the word, not the flying sense) really don't go around making fun of "kettles".[/QUOTE]

I agree with this totally.

+1

If I see a twentysomething kid excited about a new experience like flying in F or J for the first time and some jaded soul scornfully rolling their eyes at them, guess which one of those two I am going to think of as an idiot?