Mari, my loud and clear message wasn't really directed toward you, but toward Mr. Sneel.
No offense intended your way

Jamie, you discuss some interesting points, but I fly First for these reasons:

1. I like to be the first one off the plane
2. I don't like sitting in cramped quarters for 4 hours next to rude people
3. I like personalized service
4. I like to eat and drink something more substantive than peanuts or biscotti when flying
5. I can afford the luxury, so why not--it's why I work hard.
6. First class is safer as there are less fatalaties in the front of the plane during a catastrophe
7. It's generally a smoother ride up front
8. Having our own lav that is maintained by the flight crew and not covered in urine is a nice thing
9. The people up front are generally less rude and tend to avoid the oft-repeated travel faux pas you constantly read about on this site
10. I feel like a human being and not a prodded cow when I arrive at my destination.

Happy Flying!

ttt

To Sneel: Where did you hear that part about the front of the plane being safer? Are you sure about that? I agree that the front feels less turbulence but I've always heard that the people in the very back of the tail section are most likley to survive a crash. Just curious.

Actually most of the experts seem to think that statistically there is no part of an airplane that's significanly safer than other parts. You see all sorts of people claim anecdotally that the safest part of the plane is the front, the rear, or over the wings, but detailed studies of accidents show that no part is universally safer than any other. It all depends on the type of accident.

From an engineering standpoint, the strongest part of the plane is where the fuselage attaches to the wings, but that also tends to be where engines and fuel tanks are located, which can be a disadvantage in a crash.

So anybody who thinks they're increasing their odds of surviving a crash by sitting in a particular part of the aircraft isn't, really.

Oh yes, I meant to add that probably the only thing you can do as far as seat selection to maximize your safety is to sit near an exit.

Just a note, we're flying FC from Columbus to Vegas(4hr flight) on AW, this week. We found out that there is NO meal service on the flight. 4 hrs and no meal and we're leaving at 9:30 am !! I was really surprised by that. Just another example of the cutbacks.

No meal service for 4 hours in FC? Can't be right....