Would you trade seats?
Aug 31, 2016, 9:57 am
#61
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Seattle
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Posts: 1,475
There have been times when flying with my husband we have ended up in separate rows or across the aisle from each other in FC. Each time that has happened the people around us have noticed we are together and volunteered to switch seats so we could be together. (Many frequent flyers are so often VERY nice people!) We have almost always declined as it is not that important for us to sit together and the flights are typically less than 3 hrs.
When I have asked to switch seats with someone is when I have unexpectedly run into someone I know on that flight. Once it was my brother in law, and once it was a work colleague. We were able to switch seats so we could work/visit together and very much appreciated it. So obviously I understand a desire to seat next to someone but there is the right way to request and one that will most likely end up with a solid NO.
When I have asked to switch seats with someone is when I have unexpectedly run into someone I know on that flight. Once it was my brother in law, and once it was a work colleague. We were able to switch seats so we could work/visit together and very much appreciated it. So obviously I understand a desire to seat next to someone but there is the right way to request and one that will most likely end up with a solid NO.
Aug 31, 2016, 10:07 am
#62
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: LAX, LGB, SNA
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Posts: 3,185
There have been times when flying with my husband we have ended up in separate rows or across the aisle from each other in FC. Each time that has happened the people around us have noticed we are together and volunteered to switch seats so we could be together. (Many frequent flyers are so often VERY nice people!) We have almost always declined as it is not that important for us to sit together and the flights are typically less than 3 hrs.
When I have asked to switch seats with someone is when I have unexpectedly run into someone I know on that flight. Once it was my brother in law, and once it was a work colleague. We were able to switch seats so we could work/visit together and very much appreciated it. So obviously I understand a desire to seat next to someone but there is the right way to request and one that will most likely end up with a solid NO.
When I have asked to switch seats with someone is when I have unexpectedly run into someone I know on that flight. Once it was my brother in law, and once it was a work colleague. We were able to switch seats so we could work/visit together and very much appreciated it. So obviously I understand a desire to seat next to someone but there is the right way to request and one that will most likely end up with a solid NO.
Aug 31, 2016, 11:47 am
#63
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Queens!
Programs: Alaska Mileage Plan, Marriott Bonvoy, NEXUS
Posts: 334
I tried to swap my F seat for a Y seat once. The captain announced that a Marine who'd just completed her tour of duty was on the flight, and I asked the FA if I could swap with her. Turns out she was the captain's cousin and was flying on a buddy pass (or some other discounted fare, I didn't get the details) and couldn't sit in F even if a passenger wanted to swap. Ah well.
Last edited by Kufat; Aug 31, 2016 at 12:53 pm
Aug 31, 2016, 1:30 pm
#65
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Sep 1, 2016, 6:45 pm
#66
Join Date: May 2012
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Sep 1, 2016, 6:58 pm
#67
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Sep 1, 2016, 8:29 pm
#68
Join Date: Oct 2015
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Sep 2, 2016, 11:44 am
#69
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Snohomish, WA
Programs: AS MVP Gold, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 2,793
Seat swap madness on SEA-ATL this morning.
First I was asked if I'd be willing to swap from 1C to 4C because of a cat allergy. Noooooooooooope.
Then the cat carrier in row 7 wouldn't fit under the seat. Apparently it was legal size for older regulations, but not for ones that went into effect in April. The flight crew could have somehow said ok anyway, but chose not to. As the lady and the cat were being escorted off the plane the person in 1F volunteered to downgrade to 7B (yes, a coach middle on a 4+ hour flight) if someone else in F would swap up to bulkhead so the cat lady could have an F seat with underseat storage. Someone made that swap. Result: 1F in 7B, 4F in 1F, and 7B in 4F.
Personally I think the person in 1F did it because she wanted to get away from the know-it-all jackass in 1D who would not. stop. talking. Once all the swapping was complete Mr Know-it-all actually stood up and loudly proclaimed that Alaska should give the lady who downgraded "100,000 miles on her card" and "let's give her a round of applause". Dude, you didn't do ANYTHING except to start whining "someone should make an executive decision" as our delay stretched to 25 minutes. I didn't see you volunteering to move. Sit down and shut up.
Neil
First I was asked if I'd be willing to swap from 1C to 4C because of a cat allergy. Noooooooooooope.
Then the cat carrier in row 7 wouldn't fit under the seat. Apparently it was legal size for older regulations, but not for ones that went into effect in April. The flight crew could have somehow said ok anyway, but chose not to. As the lady and the cat were being escorted off the plane the person in 1F volunteered to downgrade to 7B (yes, a coach middle on a 4+ hour flight) if someone else in F would swap up to bulkhead so the cat lady could have an F seat with underseat storage. Someone made that swap. Result: 1F in 7B, 4F in 1F, and 7B in 4F.
Personally I think the person in 1F did it because she wanted to get away from the know-it-all jackass in 1D who would not. stop. talking. Once all the swapping was complete Mr Know-it-all actually stood up and loudly proclaimed that Alaska should give the lady who downgraded "100,000 miles on her card" and "let's give her a round of applause". Dude, you didn't do ANYTHING except to start whining "someone should make an executive decision" as our delay stretched to 25 minutes. I didn't see you volunteering to move. Sit down and shut up.
Neil
Sep 2, 2016, 12:46 pm
#70
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Queens!
Programs: Alaska Mileage Plan, Marriott Bonvoy, NEXUS
Posts: 334
As the lady and the cat were being escorted off the plane the person in 1F volunteered to downgrade to 7B (yes, a coach middle on a 4+ hour flight) if someone else in F would swap up to bulkhead so the cat lady could have an F seat with underseat storage. Someone made that swap. Result: 1F in 7B, 4F in 1F, and 7B in 4F.
Sep 2, 2016, 1:09 pm
#71
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Snohomish, WA
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Sep 2, 2016, 4:12 pm
#72
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 8
Seat swap madness on SEA-ATL this morning.
Then the cat carrier in row 7 wouldn't fit under the seat. Apparently it was legal size for older regulations, but not for ones that went into effect in April. The flight crew could have somehow said ok anyway, but chose not to. As the lady and the cat were being escorted off the plane the person in 1F volunteered to downgrade to 7B (yes, a coach middle on a 4+ hour flight) if someone else in F would swap up to bulkhead so the cat lady could have an F seat with underseat storage. Someone made that swap. Result: 1F in 7B, 4F in 1F, and 7B in 4F.
Then the cat carrier in row 7 wouldn't fit under the seat. Apparently it was legal size for older regulations, but not for ones that went into effect in April. The flight crew could have somehow said ok anyway, but chose not to. As the lady and the cat were being escorted off the plane the person in 1F volunteered to downgrade to 7B (yes, a coach middle on a 4+ hour flight) if someone else in F would swap up to bulkhead so the cat lady could have an F seat with underseat storage. Someone made that swap. Result: 1F in 7B, 4F in 1F, and 7B in 4F.
I find it mind-boggling that the airlines will bend over backwards to accommodate peanut allergies but they do nothing for people with pet allergies.
And I am right with you...no way would I have traded to be next to an animal person on the plane.
Sep 2, 2016, 5:03 pm
#73
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Queens!
Programs: Alaska Mileage Plan, Marriott Bonvoy, NEXUS
Posts: 334
I've never heard of a pet allergy that can cause anaphylaxis. They probably exist, but pet allergies are generally an annoyance, not life threatening.
Sep 2, 2016, 5:25 pm
#74
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Sep 2, 2016, 5:58 pm
#75
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Location: Los Angeles
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One courtesy I often do when a person agrees to switch seats in F....
If there is a meal choice, and I am asked before the person I traded with, I ask the FA to give the original passenger his/ her preference before me.
If there is a meal choice, and I am asked before the person I traded with, I ask the FA to give the original passenger his/ her preference before me.