I dont see the problem with helping out fellow staff with upgrades when on stby travel - unless it is against company policy. What is wrong with identifying yourself and asking if an upgrade is possible? We are all in the same job after all- granted that if a staff member or, his/her family then wants the moon on a stick and kicks up a fuss - well throw the book at them by all means. However some of the comments here about ' usually flightdeck' suggest to me that there is some resentment towards the sharp end crew when the CC are wielding the power!
Personally speaking if I am flying longhaul as pax (sometimes but not always) I would tell the CC I am crew and would ask politely if any upgrade was available. Surely the worst that can happen is an equally polite reply that it is not available - or not company policy- then you just take the seat allocated to you. - no damage done!!
Is this such a crime??
