Mean but fun - Stealing someone's upgrade...
Apr 17, 2009, 9:05 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Tricoastal - London, New York, Silicon Valley
Programs: DL DM/2.5MM, 20 Years Top Tier on DL, UA 1K, AC E75k, MR/SPG Lifetime Platinum
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Mean but fun - Stealing someone's upgrade...
This is a case where UA's AWESOME gate information display works against you... People have often asked "Why not provide all of the information?". Well, I have an answer for you... Read below.
This week - I was at the gate going from SFO-PDX, I had an economy plus seat, so no need to upgrade for a 1.5 hour flight.
A pax was berating the gate agent about how her upgrade hadn't cleared yet and how she applied for it a month ago, how she was entitled to the seat, etc. etc. She was #1 on a list of 1 with 1 seat left in First according to the gate information display. No one else was on the list.
I saw from her Boarding Pass that she was a Premier Exec (thanks to the HUGE new "PREMIERE EXEC" 48-point font on boarding passes).
After the 9th time she yelled at the gate agent, we were all fed up with the complaints (she was making a serious scene at the gate). So, I calmly walked up to the Gate Agent and asked to be added to the upgrade list. He said "with pleasure" and gave me a huge grin.
2 mins later the announcement came - "Passenger TFD, please check in at the front desk".
Voila - Seat 2B.
It was worth blowing an e500 upgrade just to watch the expression on this woman's face as she boarded the plane.
I am a mean b@st@rd.... But I must admit it was fun.
Without the UAL gate display system, I would never have been able to pull this off.
Have a great weekend everyone. I am ready for all of the flames of this post
TFD
This week - I was at the gate going from SFO-PDX, I had an economy plus seat, so no need to upgrade for a 1.5 hour flight.
A pax was berating the gate agent about how her upgrade hadn't cleared yet and how she applied for it a month ago, how she was entitled to the seat, etc. etc. She was #1 on a list of 1 with 1 seat left in First according to the gate information display. No one else was on the list.
I saw from her Boarding Pass that she was a Premier Exec (thanks to the HUGE new "PREMIERE EXEC" 48-point font on boarding passes).
After the 9th time she yelled at the gate agent, we were all fed up with the complaints (she was making a serious scene at the gate). So, I calmly walked up to the Gate Agent and asked to be added to the upgrade list. He said "with pleasure" and gave me a huge grin.
2 mins later the announcement came - "Passenger TFD, please check in at the front desk".
Voila - Seat 2B.
It was worth blowing an e500 upgrade just to watch the expression on this woman's face as she boarded the plane.
I am a mean b@st@rd.... But I must admit it was fun.
Without the UAL gate display system, I would never have been able to pull this off.
Have a great weekend everyone. I am ready for all of the flames of this post
TFD
Apr 17, 2009, 9:08 pm
#2
In Memoriam
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Easton, CT, USA
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Posts: 31,801
Good job.
Right about entitled, you pretty much lose any chance of it in the argument.
Right about entitled, you pretty much lose any chance of it in the argument.
Apr 17, 2009, 9:08 pm
#3
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: About
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Apr 17, 2009, 9:08 pm
#4
Formerly known as rwk32882
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: DEN, FL350
Programs: IHTFP, AS 75k, AA EXP, AC 75k, ex-UA 1K, Ex-BD *G (RIP), SPG Gold
Posts: 504
Nice work! ^
Apr 17, 2009, 9:09 pm
#5
Moderator: Luxury Hotels and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Palo Alto, California,USA
Posts: 17,873
Wow, they even knew your FT nick! 
Apr 17, 2009, 9:10 pm
#6
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Bay Area
Programs: United 1K,MM
Posts: 150
Seriously.... this makes you happy.
Apr 17, 2009, 9:11 pm
#7
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Minneapolis
Programs: AA EXP, Hyatt Diamond, SPG Gold, GlobalEntry, Admirals Club, United Club
Posts: 1,951
would have loved to have been there
was the other person requesting the ug at the desk when you went up to request it?
normally i would feel sort of bad for the other person and would think you are sort of an a** for doing this, but if the person originally requesting the upgrade really cant sit in coach for a 1.5 hr flight, then i feel you were justified
was the other person requesting the ug at the desk when you went up to request it?
normally i would feel sort of bad for the other person and would think you are sort of an a** for doing this, but if the person originally requesting the upgrade really cant sit in coach for a 1.5 hr flight, then i feel you were justified
Apr 17, 2009, 9:15 pm
#8
Join Date: Jul 2008
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Apr 17, 2009, 9:15 pm
#9
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: SNA
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Posts: 3,558
Great going. I'd have done the same thing!
Apr 17, 2009, 9:17 pm
#10
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: MDW/ORD and the late lamented Meigs Field...
Programs: UA 1MM Premier 1K, Hilton Gold, Marriott Titanium/ LT
Posts: 1,229
Well, as a lowly 1p I'd be tempted to flame you but a) I'm still on vacation and b) sounds like it wasn't the overhead display but the pax attitude that did her in.
I have marginal empathy for her however - we 1Ps are really getting squeezed out by you 1Ks and GSs these days! Justice may have prevailed, but sheesh! don't gloat!
I have marginal empathy for her however - we 1Ps are really getting squeezed out by you 1Ks and GSs these days! Justice may have prevailed, but sheesh! don't gloat!
Apr 17, 2009, 9:18 pm
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Tricoastal - London, New York, Silicon Valley
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Posts: 1,309
TFD
Sadly yes. And I fly about 1/10th as much as the top fliers on this site...
TFD
Last edited by iluv2fly; Apr 18, 2009 at 6:13 am Reason: merge
Apr 17, 2009, 9:22 pm
#12
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: HNL/SMF/IAD
Programs: Mostly Mileage Plus (UGS) + AAdvantage (Gold)
Posts: 386
I love hearing "Passenger XYZ to the podium please." It is music to my ears.
Apr 17, 2009, 9:43 pm
#13
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: ORD
Programs: UAL 1P, SPG Platinum
Posts: 157
Good - I am a 1P and I lose upgrades to 1Ks all the time but she had it coming. I can just see the steam coming out of her ears!!
Apr 17, 2009, 9:58 pm
#14
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: MBS/FNT/LAN
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Posts: 9,633
To the OP..... Well played^
FWIW, I probably give an entirely different response if it was a one time prodding of the GA. But (and I am taking TFD at thier word)... but even if you are exaggerating about "9 times", I trust it was more then 3 times, which is too much.
Apr 17, 2009, 10:01 pm
#15
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: ORD
Programs: UAL 1P, SPG Platinum
Posts: 157
Now that I think about it, would've been better if you swapped seats with a 2P right in front of her.