Yeah, its very uncool, especially when you almost get fired over it.
Apparently enough people complained about it and said it was a way
for pilots to fly without having to pay and it was unfair to the gate agents
and other employees who don't have access to a 1W.

The way I understood it was that we were allowed the 1W no matter what...but it has been painfully explained to me by many, many people that
my understanding was erroneous!

So if there is a seat open in coach between two giant ladies with cankles with muffin tops violating your personal space or the jumpseat - guess which one you are supposed to get!

Some gate agents don't give a damn and will just give you the 1W...but I've noticed a number of them are worried about doing so because they can get in trouble for it. Even asking for the 1W, I was told, is a violation of the policy.

Of course you will occasionally run into the flight crew that wants you to sit up front with them, or a flight attendant that will put you up in 1st - but you're supposed to pay for whatever seat was open in the cabin. Sucks yes, worth fighting for - NO! NO! NO! Believe me a hundred times NO!