I remember my first class experience when I was about 17 or 18 years old. I was traveling from Hawaii to the Mainland on a United Airlines 747.

This was back before deregulation and I was able to upgrade my ticket for $100.00. I did not know what a treat that $100.00 ended up being.

The First Class cabin was down stairs in the front and upstairs there was no such thing as business class. I remember the lounge upstairs with the swivel chairs and the bartender in the front corner by the circular staircase.

Downstairs movies were showing and I remember the galley stocked with Chips, Cookies and Candy. The flight attendents popped popcorn for the movie.

I miss those days ...... It has never been the same after that. I did not get to fly first class again until after deregulation.

Alfred-- sigh

As this topic is off topic for MilesBuzz, it will be moved to Trip Reports since that is where it most logically fits. Please remember the forum descriptions when posting.

------------------
burkey
FlyerTalk Miles Moderator
MilesBuzz
American Airlines
[email protected]
------------------------
Please remember the format of FlyerTalk.com when making posts:
FlyerTalk Miles
Stick with FlyerTalk Miles for all your miles and points information.
FlyerTalk Travel
FlyerTalk Travel is the place to bring up all of your general travel questions and comments.
FlyerTalk Dining
Check out FlyerTalk Dining to learn where the food's good, where it's bad, and how to get there.
FlyerTalk Airports
Visit FlyerTalk Airports to discuss everything from parking, to the best airport restaurants and shops.

Ok, but why is s similar thread still open in AA:

"Your First Flight--Do You Remember?:

That's where I got this idea, because a couple of people talked about their first upgrade...and it seemed an interesting topic in and of itself.

I was in 10th grade, heading to Sao Paulo as an exchange student, about 14 years ago, on Varig. The father of the host family, who travels to the US and Europe frequently on business, called ahead and upgraded me with miles. I didn't know until I arrived at the airport. After check-in we were directed to the lounge (I don't know whether it was a First, or Business Lounge). My parents seemed to enjoy the lounge, though I didn't realize the implication of a First Class ticket, nor did I realize 'everyone' didn't get to go to the lounge.

I remember the cabin as being very, very spacious. When I sat down I was given an amenity kit, and some slippers. They showed movies with a projection TV sitting on the floor of the F cabin in the center. Food was prepared to order. It was GREAT!

Unfortunately, he (perhaps) forgot to call about the return trip to the US, so I was back in Coach in a midle seat. Wow, what a difference. I believe that was the trip that made me the upgrade-hungry traveler I am today.

Not quite "first class", but it impressed me at the time ... I was traveling from Boston to Melbourne, Florida to do some work at the Kennedy Space center in 1975. I was ticketed on Eastern in coach, connecting in Tampa. The flight was late leaving Boston, and I missed my connection in Tampa by 5 minutes, the last flight of the day. A gate agent apologised for not holding the connecting flight for me, and asked if I really needed to get to Melbourne that night. I explained that I did as I had a meeting at the Space Center first thing the next morning. He went off, and came back about 10 minutes later and told me that they had chartered a plane for me. Within 30 minutes I was in the air as the only passenger on a Beechcraft Baron! Imagine the chance of this happening these days.

My first time experience with 1st class was in about 1983 on a TWA L-1011 (with international configuration) from STL to PHX.

I had been flying for business about 2 years, almost exclusively on TWA. I knew nothing about elite status, upgrades, etc. I thought that everyone sitting in 1st paid a lot more for their tickets, and thus must work for a much better company. I was traveling with a co-worker and both of us were dressed in a coat and tie. We had already boarded, and were sitting in exit row coach seats (I did know enough to ask for those.) A gate agent came on board and asked for our boarding stubs. He then said that he had some people that he needed to put in those seats. I protested, saying that I went out of my way to obtain those seats. He then said he was going to put us in 1st class.

I remember that I never drank so much wine or champagne on an airplane flight. It was the greatest experience. I then began to learn the ropes of elite status and how to sit in 1st as much as possible. Thank you TWA.

[This message has been edited by Paul3456 (edited 09-07-2001).]

10 years ago I was booked discounted Y on LH morning flight for the regular weekend visit of my parents (I was studying abroad). Since I had a party the the night before I decided to skip sleeping and go to the airport directly from the party. Arriving at the airport 15 minutes before the flight in the most unlikely condition to get upgraded (drunk, tired, oldest clothes and smelling like a pig - someone poured a pint of beer on my lap).

Went to the check-in and got a Y BP. Whined about not getting a seat in the smokers section - in a very drunken voice - but polite and funny. Agent who found that I was the first person this morning that gave him a smile and made him laugh took the Y BP and handed me a FC in the smokers section. I was so surprised (and drunk) that I didnt even thank him.

On the plane I was the last to board and happily took my seat. One row in front of me a member of the German gouvernment (secretary of finance) was sitting with his 3 security men. They gave me the most weird look when I stumbled into the plane and took my seat right behind them.

For the whole flight I was drinking champagne (no one else did at that time of the day) and smoking like hell. The security men talked in a low but understandable voice about what a shame it was who was allowed into FC these days. I just giggled and enjoyed myself. I even thought about chatting up the secretary of finance for a nice debate of the economic situation (I was studying economics afterall !) But I wasnt drunk enough to dare after all the looks I got from his security.

Oh yeah --- wild, wild college years. The thing I learned is that there is no strict dress code for upgrading - but I wouldnt take this as an advise ;-)

Stephan

[This message has been edited by paulusst (edited 09-07-2001).]

My first FC trip was back in 1979. I was on my way from Stockholm to Melbourne via I don't know where anymore. I had just spent my compulsory 24 hours stopover in Singapore (life's tough sometimes) and got to the airport.

I knew I had a problem with my ticket even before I left, I was waitlisted on Qantas from Singapore to Sydney, but the travel agent advised me to check at the aiport. I did, and of course coach was full. I started with the old "but I have to be in Melbourne for an important meeting tomorrow, that's the only purpose of my trip" (which was true - honestly). The agent wouldn't/couldn't do a thing for me, but after some more discussion the supervisor came over and asked what the problem was. After repeating my situation, he took the ticket and left. He was back with an FC boarding pass and wished me a pleasant flight!

Oh yes, it was pleasant! Lobster and champagne for dinner is all I remember of the meals. I watched the sunrise over the Outback from the upstairs lounge and was politely called back downstairs by the purser when it was time to land.

After that it was difficult to go back to coach, but fortunately PanAm had some pretty good upgrade policies in the 80's and 90's so most of my trans-atalantic and US transcon lights were in first.

/Pete

Mine was on my 10th birthday on a 747 heading to Anchorage. I was sitting right in the nose. My father (an ATC) was sitting in one of the jump seats in the cockpit. I sat in the other jump seat for part of the time. Ahhhh, the good old days!

Essexjay, That's very cool!

I was once in Chile on an airline workout ) for Ladeco Airlines (as a banker to the airline), and I took an escorted weekend trip with the then CFO of the airline -- trying to get on my good side -- down to the gorgeous lake region from Santiago (about a 2 hour flight).

After drinking a Pisco sour or two during our happy hour flight (Friday evening) from the first row of this all-business class airline, I got to sit in the cockpit of this then new 737 (1983) for much of the flight, including the landing, which was incredibly amazing (scenery/experience).

When we arrived at the gate, I came out of the cockpit and asked my fellow passengers how a did...some of whom were a little bewildered...but it was a very unique/special experience.

Of course this kind of thing (civilian pax in the cockpit) would never happen in the US, but in Chile...and probably much of the rest of world???

As for weird experiences against US regulations, there was the time everybody stowed the overflow from the overhead bin on the floor of the aircraft on Aeroflot from Paris to Moscow...but that's a whole other story in and of itself!

nl, I assure you it still happens (stuff on the floor). I accidentally landed in mostly full recline mode once. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif