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After years of flying in coach, I made a bold move and covertly bought an upgrade to first class. It is important to note that I did not selfishly choose to upgrade my ticket on a whim. As a working-class parent of three, I don't have much whim money. However, after careful consideration, I chose to make the change on behalf all of those who humbly spend their lives traveling coach.

My purpose was to research and evaluate the following: Are the seats all that different from the seats in coach? Are the people who fly in first class snobby? Is the service any better in first class? Is the extra cost for a first class ticket worth the money?

One of the nicest parts, by far, was the extra space. The seat was roomy and comfortable. The tray table was bigger and sturdier -- when I pulled out my laptop to write, it was not awkward or cramped. The legroom was big enough for all of my carry-ons. After being cramped in seat 17f on the commuter flight earlier in the day, first class was a heavenly experience.

As I mentioned a few weeks ago, in-flight drinks are no longer free. However, when I conveyed that to you, I was drawing on my coach traveling experiences. In first class, it's a different story. And it's not just select beverages that are still complementary in first class -- the front of the plane was like an open bar at a New York wedding.

The gentleman seated next to me was not unlike that one relative who treats an open bar at a wedding like the buffet at Golden Corral. I believe he made up the difference in the price of the ticket in Cabernet Sauvignon.

In first class, they served complimentary snacks, too. I wasn't actually hungry because I had a slice of mushroom and spinach pizza, a tomato salad and a drink in the terminal before I decided to upgrade. However, this was research, so I put my full belly aside and went for the bag of harvest cheddar baked chips.

After crunching through a few chips, I concluded that they do in fact have a great multi-grain flavor and they are better than the mini-bags of honey roasted peanuts that are no longer available in coach whether you're willing to pay for them or not.

Now, about those passengers in first class. The people in first class always seemed a bit snobbish when I'd pass them on my way to coach. But now, I've had the experience of sitting amongst them. From my roomy seat, I found there to be an atmosphere of congeniality and camaraderie like nothing I've ever experienced in coach. Everyone was pleasant and cordial.

It was much more laid back in first class. But then, maybe that was because everyone there could either afford the higher priced ticket, had it paid for by the great company for which they worked, or was going to write off the difference on their taxes since they wrote about it in a column.

The service was quite different as well. In coach, you see the flight attendant when she rolls the beverage cart -- with the newly installed cash register -- down the aisle; or when she walks back through with the trash bag. But in first class, it was like being in a restaurant. The flight attendant was always there; ready to take your empty cup and offer refills, another snack and a smile.

With everything in life, even first class, there are pros and cons. It took some serious observation, but I was able to determine some cons.

First, the seats still adjust, so if the guy in front of you reclines, you lose a little bit of your space -- not a problem if your laptop is mid-sized or smaller, but still noteworthy. Another issue with first class is the probability of surviving a nosedive crash. While everyone in the plane during such a catastrophe would most likely perish, the folks in first class wouldn't have a chance. Coach travelers in 32c at least have a sporting chance.

That's about all I could come up with on the cons. Those of us in first class were seated first, which gave us first dibs on overhead compartment space -- as if we needed it with all that leg room -- and then we deplaned first, giving us ample time for connections or to make it to baggage claim or the bathroom first.

All in all, I would have to say that the first class experience was well worth the extra money. Would I do it again if I could afford it? Absolutely! Am I going to be able to humbly adjust to coach flying again? Well, it will be rough, but until my children are through college, I'll have to find a way to muddle through.

Micki Bare is a columnist for the Arkansas News Bureau and the Courier-Tribune in Asheboro, N.C., and author of the book, "Relative Expressions." She lives in Asheboro with her husband and three children. Her e-mail address is mickibare@inspiredscribe.com.