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I know this has been a topic of conversation here before but just wanted to get some insight before we leave for Paris this week. What is the chance or alternately, how can I improve my chance of getting upgraded on NW if first is wide open? i.e., more than 50% open. Should I ask at the gate or check with flight attendants? Really would love to try to get one of those extendable/lie-flat/reclining or whatever they call them seats.
I would just ask very nicely at check-in, and again at the gate. Besides DL, I've only ever flown on WN, LH, and LX. WN only has Y, and first class was sold out on both LH and Swiss. For those 2 though, I asked at check-in and again at the gate and I'm pretty certain had space been available, they would have put me up front.
DL is pretty notorious for putting OAL nonrevs in F. Not so sure about NW.
It can't hurt to ask..
As one who has found her Y seat 'crossed out' and a lovely single digit seat hand written in on more than one occasion, and have had my listed RTC jumped into WBC, it can happen.
The best way is to quietly/nicely let them know you're flying non rev, and request it once at the gate when the agent isn't being swamped by 'elites', then go sit down a discrete distance away, ignoring the screaming thoughts that are saying 'Oh no! They've forgotten about me!' as other pax are loaded on.
Often as not I've found that if I'm the last one on, I'm getting the very best seat... FC, exit row, or even the last seat with a 'free space' next to it on the fuller flights, probably in part because I was one of the few people who treated the gate agents with a scrap of decency in a world of *gimme gimme gimme*! http://www.nonrev.net/forums/style_e...IR#>/smile.gif
Ooh, exciting. We're going to Athens in a week on US. We're planning on bringing little treats.. ie candy bars and/or water to the gate agents and asking politely if there are any seats in first class. I heard this can sometimes help make you stand out to get first class if they have it available.
Honestly, I don't think treats and other tangibles are as important as actually treating gate agents with the same courtesy (OK, granted as they are ultimately the ones who can put you on, maybe it's not a bad idea!) or even more that you would hope to get.
It seems that a lot of people think that because we are in the 'service industry' , we are all uneducated louts who are beneath the average pax - after all, their custom pays our wages - People fail to remember that if we didn't purchase their goods (no matter how much further down the line) they would be the ones that are SOL (and FWIW, I have a college degree and work for the airlines out of choice) and forget the very basic niceties of being human.
We may wear another uniform, but remember that in the over all industry, we are family by choice - and it's a breath of fresh air to get a pax who not only understands what it's like on the other side of the counter/phone, but gives us a little break because of it.
Me, if I get a fellow non rev on the line, you bet I'll bend over backwards for you (unless you're a real **** - and sadly it's usually the companions who are real pieces of work!)...
That all being said - be mindful of the Gate Dragons - especially in MSP.... Chocolate might be the only thing that appeases them! http://www.nonrev.net/forums/style_e...IR#>/laugh.gif http://www.nonrev.net/forums/style_e...IR#>/laugh.gif http://www.nonrev.net/forums/style_e...IR#>/laugh.gif
Oh, great. We are going through MSP! I noticed that they were a little more "reserved" than the gate agents in Boise when we left for Detroit last fall. I'll try to be a well-behaved polite non-rev and maybe try to bring some Alaska swag (pens, pins, etc) or maybe goodies. I've always found that the way to most workforces is through their stomachs!