United just started a new policy of automatically requesting upgrades for elite members on domestic flights, which is immensely useful for someone like me who otherwise wouldn't bother. I've been bumped up to the first class cabin two times in a row now since the new policy kicked in, and there's a good chance that I'll continue to get upgrades as long as I pick and choose my times to avoid the heavily traveled flights.
That first class ticket also gets you into the first class security line, by the way, so you don't have to mix with the proles.
Which brings me to the much maligned CRJ's. They have a bad rep since the seats are smaller and standard sized roller boards won't fit in the overhead bin. Luckily, I'm not a giant lard ass and since I fly regional all the time I didn't buy a roller board'. Since everybody else is gate checking their carry-on's I usually have plenty of room to stow my bags overhead, including the one that's supposed to go under the seat.
