American Airlines last summer famously (or infamously) began offering a package of perks that may interest corporate travelers but withheld that package from the booking channels most likely to be used by those travelers. Delta is doing the same thing.
I navigate my way to the gate dodging vacationing families, couples and troops headed to one base or another. Grabbing my boarding pass, I glance down to see where my seat is. I didn’t have time to get online and secure an exit row so I may have to deal with whatever was booked. One thing that I assume when I get my ticket is that I’ll get a decent seat no matter what (chairman preferred and all that). I look down. 9B.
People go to extreme lengths in order to get themselves sitting as near to the pointy bit of a plane as possible, especially on long flights. During the process, every emotion is used from grovelling to indignation, lies and sheer cunning. Sexual promise has also been tried but frankly it got me nowhere.
First the airlines began offering discounted business class fares for travel this summer--around $2000 round trip with an advance purchase and Saturday night stay. But these kinds of deals have become common place during the summer season over the past few years.
