The government gives them seats in coach; however the airlines upgrade many of them to first class. Many times kicking flyers with high frequent flyer status or those who paid for their seat out of their first class seats so politicians can sit there. Airlines also fabricate excuses when they do this. Having spent a year+ recently working each week in D.C. I got every excuse from computer glitch to every other wildly imagination thing when they put some politician or lobbyist in my confirmed first class seat. IMO it is time for this nonsense to end; putting politicians with low frequent flyer status in first class seats is nothing more than bribery from the airline industry. Many politicians don't even fly enough to qualify for a first class upgrade under the airline's FF program but they still get it. United was just doing what every other airline does. I don't believe a word of United's explanation - it is complete bullshiat, and an example of something they regularly pull.
A copy of atleast 3 confirmations from your flights to D.C. will be needed since your cred has gone in the toilet.
Good luck with that - I am not going to post my flight confirmations to ET so people like you can abuse my family and myself. How long have you been a stalker? And yes, I travel every week. I have spent time during the past 5 years working as an IT consultant in Toronto, D.C., NYC, and London.
On a serious note, I'm surprised they're booked coach with a bunch of MAGAs willing to run people over. Do they get a more expensive security detail (or any)?
Politicians and top end lobbyists in D.C. normally get a personal escort to the door of the aircraft and get to board first (on American this is the equivalent of "Concierge Key" treatment despite the politicians not even having the minimum Gold status by segments or miles to qualify for a first class upgrade). They do not have any special security detail; however normally there is an extra airport cop around when a politician is boarding. The D.C. airport also has special parking and a special lounge for them (and not for others). The government will only book employees and politicians coach to fly within the United States. They are not allowed to book business or first class. This is why the politicians (Senators and Congressional representatives) are all dependent on complimentary upgrades from the airlines to land up in first class. Many times these upgrades for politicians push high-status or paid flyers out of first class with phony excuses which gets many frequent travelers upset.
Let's us know the next time it happens and take a photo..the airline can do whatever the hell they choose to frequent flyers if your not a paid First Class ticket holder so that doesn't even wash..The part about punting a paid First Class holder over a lobbyist is pure bullshit just like that nonsense story of the bars not showing NFL games where you live and that make believe Xmas dinner party. After the 1st of the year make a concerted effort to quit embellishing your posts and fly another airline.
Enjoy your fantasies. BTW I posted articles from our local media outlets on bars not showing games in the Carolinas. Maybe after the first of the year you should consider that you should stop abusing others.