Politeness definitely works
New year's eve 2001, Cincinatti Airport. Check-in bloke looks harassed, which isn't surprising with the long queues and increased security (it was a few days after the shoebomb incident). I ask if it's possible to get an emergency exit seat (I'm 6'3) - all gone. Smile, say "That's OK - I can see the flight's quite full" - bloke presses a few more buttons on his keyboard, hands me the boarding pass, and says "Enjoy your flight, sir, and have a good new year".

Check the seat number - I'm in 6C. Pointy end passengers board first, so I'm sipping my champagne (in a real glass) as the peasant class head to the back of the plane. I think they would have been marginally pissed off if they realised that with a bit of politeness and a smile, they might not be spending eight hours with their knees around their ears.

I haven't managed a free upgrade since, but it's always worth asking.
(CaptainParalytic, Wed 10 Sep 2008, 17:33, Reply)