AN ACR PIC BOARDS HIS 2 STANDBY DAUGHTERS ON THE FLT DESPITE THE FACT THAT THERE WERE NO SEATS AVAILABLE FOR THEM EXCEPT THE 2 CREW REST SEATS IN THE FIRST CLASS CABIN.

Narrative

I WAS FLYING MY CAPT'S RETIREMENT FLT FROM LONDON TO CHICAGO ON ACR X. THE FLT WAS BOOKED FULL WITH MANY STANDBYS; AND I WAS TRAVELING WITH MY WIFE AND 2 DAUGHTERS FOR THIS CELEBRATION. MY WIFE HAD A CONFIRMED SEAT; BUT MY DAUGHTERS WERE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE LIST. ON THE WAY THROUGH THE BOARDING LOUNGE TO THE ACFT; THE GATE AGENT PULLED ME ASIDE AND ASKED IF I WOULD RELEASE 1 CREW REST SEAT FOR MY WIFE; FREEING UP HER SEAT FOR ANOTHER STANDBY. I SAID I WOULD LIKE TO RELEASE THOSE 2 CREW REST SEATS FOR MY DAUGHTERS; BECAUSE IT WAS MY RETIREMENT FLT; PLUS I DID NOT WANT THEM STRANDED IN LONDON ON THEIR FIRST TRIP TO EUROPE. THE AGENT EMPHATICALLY SAID SHE COULDN'T BOARD THEM PRIOR TO THE OTHER STANDBYS EVEN IF THE CREW REST SEATS WERE THE ONLY SEATS LEFT OPEN. I THEN PROCEEDED TO BOARD MY DAUGHTERS. AS WE NEARED DEP TIME; THE AGENTS SAID THEY HAD 2 SEATS FOR MY DAUGHTERS. I WAS NOT FORTHRIGHT WITH THE AGENT. THEY CLOSED THE DOOR AND WE DEPARTED WITH ALL THE PAX; STANDBYS; MY 2 DAUGHTERS (WHO REMAINED ON THE PAX MANIFEST); AND 4 OPEN SEATS. I DISPLAYED AN INADVERTENT LAPSE IN JUDGEMENT INITIALLY; AND THEN FORCED THE ISSUE; SHOWING DISRESPECT TO THE GATE AGENTS WHO WERE PERFORMING THEIR DUTIES ACCORDING TO THE RULES OF ACR X. I HAD THOUGHT ABOUT MY 'RETIREMENT FLT' FOR 30 YRS; A FLT WITH ALL MY FAMILY ON BOARD. I APOLOGIZE FOR CAUSING THIS SIT.