Since this is going to comment both on CPU and standby, I'm starting a new thread. Mods, feel free to move if appropriate.
I boarded last night's flight from IAH to DEN, taking my E+ aisle seat. Not a real surprise I didn't get the upgrade on this route-- as a 1K on an L fare, I ended up 6th out of about 50 on the upgrade list. I noticed on the seatmap that the middle seat was vacant, but standby list was very long (also about 50), so I knew it wouldn't remain empty.
I started chatting with the woman in the window seat and found out she was also a 1K. Since I'm always interested in how CPUs work, asked her where she was on the upgrade list. She didn't know, so we looked it up on my phone. Surprise, surprise--she was #45. How is it possible for a 1K to be that low? She mentioned that she had tried to standby on an earlier flight (a direct from her origin instead of connecting--it didn't work).
The middle seat was still empty, and I had the sense that the standbys were coming on the plane. I looked again at my phone. 24 people had been cleared, including someone into the seat next to me. Odd, I thought, but maybe he/she didn't show up after being cleared. Finally, the last stragglers boarded, including a FA who sat down next to me.
So I really don't know what happened, but I have my suspicions. I didn't have the nerve to ask the FA her name, but I did find out she was going home, not positioning for her next flight. I also noticed the name on the seat next to me never changed (it is still there today). With a standby list that long, I have a very hard time believing a FA was that high on the list. More likely to me is the person assigned to the middle seat didn't show, and the FA ended up seat. Was she next person on the list, the only person still at the gate, or did something else happen? And if she was a late substitute, why did the name on the standby list not change?
Finally, I am the only person who isn't impressed with E+ on new 737s? I had to defend my knees against a reclining seat in front of me. Can't remember the last time I had to do that on an Airbus.
I boarded last night's flight from IAH to DEN, taking my E+ aisle seat. Not a real surprise I didn't get the upgrade on this route-- as a 1K on an L fare, I ended up 6th out of about 50 on the upgrade list. I noticed on the seatmap that the middle seat was vacant, but standby list was very long (also about 50), so I knew it wouldn't remain empty.
I started chatting with the woman in the window seat and found out she was also a 1K. Since I'm always interested in how CPUs work, asked her where she was on the upgrade list. She didn't know, so we looked it up on my phone. Surprise, surprise--she was #45. How is it possible for a 1K to be that low? She mentioned that she had tried to standby on an earlier flight (a direct from her origin instead of connecting--it didn't work).
The middle seat was still empty, and I had the sense that the standbys were coming on the plane. I looked again at my phone. 24 people had been cleared, including someone into the seat next to me. Odd, I thought, but maybe he/she didn't show up after being cleared. Finally, the last stragglers boarded, including a FA who sat down next to me.
So I really don't know what happened, but I have my suspicions. I didn't have the nerve to ask the FA her name, but I did find out she was going home, not positioning for her next flight. I also noticed the name on the seat next to me never changed (it is still there today). With a standby list that long, I have a very hard time believing a FA was that high on the list. More likely to me is the person assigned to the middle seat didn't show, and the FA ended up seat. Was she next person on the list, the only person still at the gate, or did something else happen? And if she was a late substitute, why did the name on the standby list not change?
Finally, I am the only person who isn't impressed with E+ on new 737s? I had to defend my knees against a reclining seat in front of me. Can't remember the last time I had to do that on an Airbus.