I got up from the cold vinyl ledge by the wall, tucked my official travel binder under my arm, and went straight to the service counter.

“I have a confirmed first-class seat on this leg,” I said, setting my ticket stub on the black granite counter.

The gate agent scanned the barcode with a handheld reader, her eyes widening a little when her screen showed my rank and assignment status.

“You’ve got an automatic priority upgrade secured by the military liaison office, Lieutenant Colonel,” she said, looking up from her screen.

“Is there an administrative problem with your seat assignment?”