"Will give up seat for voltage"

We are all just shameless power whores. I've been wandering around the
terminal for the last 10 mins trying to find a seat near a power outlet so
I can charge my laptop.

When it comes to laptop power we have no shame. we will unplug fax
machines, disconnect illuminated signs, and sit down on the floor just to
get to the precious juice. I think that we'd give our left nut for
wireless laptop power even when you see the irony that the radiation would
eventually fry our nads.

And while I'm on the subject of whoring I think it is worth discussing
those poor junkies (myself included) who will rack up frequent flyer miles
just to get upgrades. Really, this makes no sense. We will willingly sit
for long periods of time inside these tin cans just so that we don't have
to sit at the back of the plane. However, for those of us who don't have
a choice in the matter, we suck it up and become upgrade whores. We lurk
on the empty flights, fly at times that give us the best opportunity and
have no problem bumping some poor sap with lower mileage credit just so we
can get the free drinks and the bigger seat.

What really sucks is the demographic of my peers. Flying First class in
United is some sort of bizzare mens club. It seems to be the domain of
the male over 35 set, at least it is on the routes I take.

This fight is no exception. There are 24 seats in first, we're full, and
there are only 2 women in this section. One is 80+ and flying with her
grandson and the other looks is 55+ and either retired or has just been
in the biz a long time. While flying to Chicago the other week, someone
had turned up the stereotype dial and the only female on board was toting
a fur coat, heels, and a custom chrry red Powerbook. (she also spent more
time doing email that I did and was reading 'Semiconductor Weekly'). I
don't know where they find these people. I feel obligated to wear my
grungiest city clothes and a five o'clock shadow whenever I get on board
these days.

But why so many males ? Not that I'm asking for this to be some sort of
"Meet the Chicks" club, but it just plain bizzare. It makes you ask all
sorts of pertinent questions like

"Is the business world this male biased, and there just aren't
that many women who get to fly first class ?"

Or is it something more benign like that they don't want to fly in first
because, frankly, it is a scary boring mens club.

I'd go with either answer, but it is still a poor reflection of society.