FA permitting a "self upgrade" to MCE/exit row after boarding door closes
#76
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I'm trying to remember the details myself, but, could -swear- I remember being told that was the official policy on Y-> MCE self-upgraders (with an acknowledgment that FA's are but in a very difficult position trying to enforce same and would never be admonished for not enforcing it.)
Can't find anything on it, and, as you say, I guess it's changed, seemingly.
Can't find anything on it, and, as you say, I guess it's changed, seemingly.
What I was told at -that- time (Nov 2015) was:
FAs are told to inform, not to enforce. They need the leeway to pick their battles. Upgrading to another class of service is another thing entirely, needless to say, that they enforce. They're not given much guidance on MCE.
#77
Join Date: Jan 2007
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#78
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I think a blocked seat does show up. I am at the top level on United and (on very few flights) have even had the seat next to me in business class international blocked. On boarding an FA always mentions that if the seat is needed for a legitimate customer it may be used. I have no problem if someone is seated there but it is nice to have the empty seat there.
#79
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#80
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I have never seen AA charge a passenger to move to the exit row or MCE.
However, completely different on UA. UA FA's know who is sitting in E+, and if a passenger moves up to E+ then they get asked to make the payment for the upgrade. If they don't want to pay - they have to move back.
I suspect that UA sells more E+ seats than AA does MCE. Of course UA offers more E+ seats then AA has MCE, including international configurations. The legacy US aircraft in AA fleet really don't have MCE - only bulkhead and exit row.
However, completely different on UA. UA FA's know who is sitting in E+, and if a passenger moves up to E+ then they get asked to make the payment for the upgrade. If they don't want to pay - they have to move back.
I suspect that UA sells more E+ seats than AA does MCE. Of course UA offers more E+ seats then AA has MCE, including international configurations. The legacy US aircraft in AA fleet really don't have MCE - only bulkhead and exit row.
#81
Join Date: Jan 2007
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On AA, payment for an MCE seat has to be done at the gate. The FA has no way to accept payment for the "upgrade". So it someone moves themselves after the door closes (and the GA is on the other side of that door), the FA's only option is to send them back to their original seat, even if the self-upgrader wants to pay for it. I've heard the FA tell them that they needed to handle with the GA, but once the door is closed, people need to sit in those seats according to the manifest.
#82
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As it should be. JetBlue does the same thing to people who try to upgrade themselves to EMS. Delta will turn people back entirely though as C+ is a separate class of service.
#86
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I guess the question is: since they have a credit card machine and the ability to charge for drinks and snacks, why can't they charge for MCE? Even if a more simplified version than what's on the website, it doesn't seem that hard.
#87
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I believe that was (or is, don't know presently) on the "to do" list for the new FA tablets about a year ago or so. No idea if they still are planning it.
#88
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,314
Not sure what business it is of mine, a passenger, if other passengers move seats, including to my row.
I'm in a row with other seats which are usually occupied. If they're unoccupied it's very rare lately. Because they're usually occupied, if someone moves to occupy them I really don't see what the difference really is.
Granted I'm plat and don't pay for MCE seats, but I am fine with FA's looking the other way. We certainly aren't "entitled" to an empty seat next to us. Those days of blocking empties next to Gold/Plats are LONG gone
I'm in a row with other seats which are usually occupied. If they're unoccupied it's very rare lately. Because they're usually occupied, if someone moves to occupy them I really don't see what the difference really is.
Granted I'm plat and don't pay for MCE seats, but I am fine with FA's looking the other way. We certainly aren't "entitled" to an empty seat next to us. Those days of blocking empties next to Gold/Plats are LONG gone
#89
Join Date: Jan 2007
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AA is all about revenue these days. Even if only 1 person per flight wants to move up to the empty exit row and is willing to pay for it, seems odd that AA can't make that happen.
#90
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: DFW
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Not sure what business it is of mine, a passenger, if other passengers move seats, including to my row.
I'm in a row with other seats which are usually occupied. If they're unoccupied it's very rare lately. Because they're usually occupied, if someone moves to occupy them I really don't see what the difference really is.
Granted I'm plat and don't pay for MCE seats, but I am fine with FA's looking the other way. We certainly aren't "entitled" to an empty seat next to us. Those days of blocking empties next to Gold/Plats are LONG gone
I'm in a row with other seats which are usually occupied. If they're unoccupied it's very rare lately. Because they're usually occupied, if someone moves to occupy them I really don't see what the difference really is.
Granted I'm plat and don't pay for MCE seats, but I am fine with FA's looking the other way. We certainly aren't "entitled" to an empty seat next to us. Those days of blocking empties next to Gold/Plats are LONG gone