Upgrade Shenanigans? [Consolidated]
#31
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: BNA
Programs: HH Gold. (Former) UA PP, DL PM, PC Plat
Posts: 8,184
The DHing pilot would have either been #1 on the list, or below all revenue upgraders. If below, then the poster should have been upgraded.
The agent can check the upgrade list on their handheld device which they should have brought with them onto the airplane for just such situations.
#32
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: LAX/TPE
Programs: United 1K, JAL Sapphire, SPG Lifetime Platinum, National Executive Elite, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 42,205
I think I see what happened here and it's not shenanigans.
The official policy is: "If first class or business class was not available at time of booking, deadheading United pilots will be eligible to be placed on the upgrade list ahead of revenue, NRPS and NRSA customers"
looks like the name you saw on the list ahead of you was the placeholder name for deadheading pilots. that booking was cancelled and replaced with the DH pilot about 25 seconds later.
I don't know anything about who declined the upgrade offer, but the upgrade correctly went to the person that it was always intended for. just a late name-swap.
shenanigan debunked, sorry!
please see above
The official policy is: "If first class or business class was not available at time of booking, deadheading United pilots will be eligible to be placed on the upgrade list ahead of revenue, NRPS and NRSA customers"
looks like the name you saw on the list ahead of you was the placeholder name for deadheading pilots. that booking was cancelled and replaced with the DH pilot about 25 seconds later.
I don't know anything about who declined the upgrade offer, but the upgrade correctly went to the person that it was always intended for. just a late name-swap.
shenanigan debunked, sorry!
please see above
#33
Join Date: Jan 2005
Programs: SQ, QF, UA, CO, DL
Posts: 2,884
This morning I flew DEN-SFO. I was #2 on the upgrade list, with front cabin booked 20/20 and checked in 19/20. I settled into my row 10 seat and the gate agent comes on the plane with a boarding pass for Mr. #1 on the upgrade list, who I noticed showed as cleared in the app. I heard #1 decline the upgrade, but did not hear his reason.
I got excited, since the app said I was next. However, instead of upgrading me, the staff member (not sure if gate agent or flight attendant) upgraded somebody else who was dressed in a United uniform and appeared to be a commuting pilot. I tried to get her attention but she either did not hear me or ignored me.
Shenanigans? Is there any circumstance where this situation would adhere to policy? Should I contact 1K voice, or would that just be a waste of my time?
I got excited, since the app said I was next. However, instead of upgrading me, the staff member (not sure if gate agent or flight attendant) upgraded somebody else who was dressed in a United uniform and appeared to be a commuting pilot. I tried to get her attention but she either did not hear me or ignored me.
Shenanigans? Is there any circumstance where this situation would adhere to policy? Should I contact 1K voice, or would that just be a waste of my time?
#34
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Latin America and USA
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Gold
Posts: 456
I wrote to 1Kvoice. I'll followup with whatever their response when it comes.
#35
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Latin America and USA
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Gold
Posts: 456
I think he was wearing a t-shirt and jeans - definitely not in uniform. I can't confirm he wasn't a DH pilot, but I think DH pilots usually wear their uniforms.
#36
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: KEWR
Programs: Marriott Platinum
Posts: 794
When commuting I wear my uniform nearly every time.
Last edited by clubord; Jul 10, 2021 at 6:54 pm
#38
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: BNA
Programs: HH Gold. (Former) UA PP, DL PM, PC Plat
Posts: 8,184
The placeholder would be "CRE". I think the first initial is "D", but am not sure.
Depends. If we're going to fly right after the DH then we'll probably be in uniform. Many will change out of the uniform if they are DHing after flying without another flight in that duty period. It's more difficult to change when wearing the full uniform (jacket and hat) and you need room to put them. Many would prefer to DH out of uniform to keep a lower profile.
I usually commute in uniform, but not always. Half of my commutes this month are out of uniform because I'm commuting to work the night before the trip starts.
I usually commute in uniform, but not always. Half of my commutes this month are out of uniform because I'm commuting to work the night before the trip starts.
#39
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: LAX/TPE
Programs: United 1K, JAL Sapphire, SPG Lifetime Platinum, National Executive Elite, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 42,205
#40
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 2,531
If new information comes to light I will be open to adjusting my opinion again, of course.
#41
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: HNL
Programs: UA GS4MM, MR LT Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 6,447
Ive seen no evidence a UA employee checked this out. Someone would actually risk their job for that? I don’t think so.
#42
Suspended
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Chicago
Programs: ,united 1k, AA EXP, HH Diamond,BA gold, Hyatt globalist
Posts: 974
#43
Join Date: Jan 2005
Programs: SQ, QF, UA, CO, DL
Posts: 2,884
#44
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: KEWR
Programs: Marriott Platinum
Posts: 794
Flyertalk aside, I personally don’t get why anyone would assume employees habitually risk their jobs (both parties involved) by deliberately sidestepping the upgrade list to begin with.
To perform such an action would require one to be logged into the gate management system, using a company workstation where every keystroke, seat movement, upgrade/downgrade is monitored, timestamped, and recorded by United.
The seat management process is so easily tracked, it would be career suicide for both for the CS agent and the pass rider to pull such an act as is inferred by some posters here.
I get it’s not a perfect system and people can make mistakes. If you feel violated by all means continue reporting it to the airline and keep the agents accountable, it helps us all in the end. But I do think 57 pages worth of this is a bit much to do about nothing considering none of us have ALL the facts for each situation.
To perform such an action would require one to be logged into the gate management system, using a company workstation where every keystroke, seat movement, upgrade/downgrade is monitored, timestamped, and recorded by United.
The seat management process is so easily tracked, it would be career suicide for both for the CS agent and the pass rider to pull such an act as is inferred by some posters here.
I get it’s not a perfect system and people can make mistakes. If you feel violated by all means continue reporting it to the airline and keep the agents accountable, it helps us all in the end. But I do think 57 pages worth of this is a bit much to do about nothing considering none of us have ALL the facts for each situation.
Last edited by clubord; Jul 11, 2021 at 11:43 am
#45
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Latin America and USA
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Gold
Posts: 456
I received a response from 1kvoice that contained an apology that sounded sincere, a statement of United's values, and a reference to an internal investigation.
I will assume the best of people - that it was a dead heading pilot who was entitled to the upgrade, and that it was not a rushed gate agent/flight attendant who simply moved somebody, shortly before closing the cabin door, without updating the system in order to avoid any delay. My experiences with UA have been and continue to be almost entirely positive.
So, while I'll never know what actually happened, at least I received a well written response.
I will assume the best of people - that it was a dead heading pilot who was entitled to the upgrade, and that it was not a rushed gate agent/flight attendant who simply moved somebody, shortly before closing the cabin door, without updating the system in order to avoid any delay. My experiences with UA have been and continue to be almost entirely positive.
So, while I'll never know what actually happened, at least I received a well written response.