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Class Struggle

Friends,
If you wanna fly standby, a certain laissez-faire mentality goes a long way. This F-it attitude helps you cope with whatever the seat assignment gods have in store for you.

On a recent trip from Fort Lauderdale the flight was full and, if only the plane had one more seat, it would have been mine. Just as I was letting the news sink in and weighing a Chicago vs Houston connection, it started raining cats and dogs. The passengers deplaned and two hours later, some of them had decided they’d had enough, making room for me! I board to find a gentleman occupying my seat. After refreshing his app it turns out he got an upgrade to first class. To my surprise, he explains he’s all settled in and asks if I wouldn’t mind switching places. Sure, twist my arm.

As I reached 1F and start imagining my pre-flight donut, the first class flight attendant with a snooty European accent was having none of this. He walks me back to economy plus and, after a spirited lecture on 19th century class etiquette, we decide it would be in everyone’s best interest if the kind gentleman bit the bullet and relocated to the front of the plane where he belonged, leaving me to “suffer” the window seat with extra leg room. If only he knew I was just happy to be going home — with a bonus anecdote.

Happy Friday!​


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