JetBlue TrueBlue - New JB Policy? Can't move into exit row / extra legroom seats

Flew yesterday IAD-BOS and back today. Bought both tickets last minute and flights were short and empty. I often buy an "Extra Leg Room" seat for longer flights, but $25 for an hour long flight didn't seem worthwhile. Last night I was in the row behind the exit and when the door closed the row was empty so I moved up one row. No problem.

This afternoon, same deal. Flight was maybe 20% full and all 12 exit row seats were empty. Once the final passenger had boarded and sat down, I moved up a couple rows to an exit row seat. Couple minutes later a FA asked if I'd just boarded and I said, "No, I just moved up a couple of rows" at which point she told me -- in the midst of a nearly empty plane with 12 empty exit row seats, that if I wanted to sit in that seat she'd have to swipe my credit card and charge me $25.

I like JetBlue. Up until today I'd always felt like they (along with perhaps Southwest) were the last airlines that didn't aggressively embrace annoying policies designed seemingly to alienate customers. Now I'm not so sure they still belong in that category.

For the record, I can actually understand if, say, the exit and window were occupied by passengers who'd paid for "Extra Legroom", and someone moved into the middle seat, the FA should politely ask them to pay or move, but when my sitting there had no impact on any other passenger, was this the right call? Curious what others think. For me, my next trip to Boston will be back to the US Air Shuttle.

--Jason

If there is a product that costs x and you take it for free, isn't that stealing? Sure, it doesn't "hurt" any of the passengers except those that stupidly paid the x even though they didn't have to.

Look at this from their perspective. Shouldn't they get their money back since they could have just moved up like you did?

If there is a product that costs x and you take it for free, isn't that stealing? Sure, it doesn't "hurt" any of the passengers except those that stupidly paid the x even though they didn't have to.

Look at this from their perspective. Shouldn't they get their money back since they could have just moved up like you did?

Yeah, I understand their logic, though in this case it wasn't worth the $25 before the flight, and it wasn't worth $25 on board. Their pricing is pretty foolish ($25 for an hour's worth of 4" of legroom) thus all their premium seats were empty). So they got no extra revenue and they (incrementally) alienated a full-fare frequent customer.

A different way to look at it: the $25 is the price one pays to reserve the extra legroom in advance. i.e. if it's important to you, like it is for me on the long flights, I'd pay for it. If you buy your ticket 21 days in advance for $100 and I buy mine the day of for $400, are you stealing the $300 in value? No, because you did not choose to purchase the flexibility I purchased to make last minute travel plans. And in this case, $25 would have bought me guaranteed space.

Whenever my company contemplates a policy that would make us less "friendly" to our customers, I like to compare how the new policy will stack up against our competitors. So is there any other airline out there that won't allow you to move to an exit row seat when the plane doors close and that row is empty? Even if they only offer them to their elite passengers? Have you ever been told you couldn't sit in a seat because it was only available to an elite member? Or is JetBlue the "least customer friendly" on this dimension? I'm not aware of anyone else doing this.

So is there any other airline out there that won't allow you to move to an exit row seat when the plane doors close and that row is empty? Even if they only offer them to their elite passengers? Have you ever been told you couldn't sit in a seat because it was only available to an elite member? Or is JetBlue the "least customer friendly" on this dimension? I'm not aware of anyone else doing this.

United. No self upgrading to E+, including exit rows. And as a United FF I'm very happy they don't allow self upgrading to E+.

This is a very customer friendly policy for those customer who pay up for exit rows and get a free seat next to them, because the airline prevents self-upgraders.

United. No self upgrading to E+, including exit rows. And as a United FF I'm very happy they don't allow self upgrading to E+.

This is a very customer friendly policy for those customer who pay up for exit rows and get a free seat next to them, because the airline prevents self-upgraders.

Absolutely, and I made the point in my OP that it would be an entirely different thing if my sitting down there had affected anyone who had paid for the seat. I wouldn't have moved to the row if anyone had been in the group of three seats for exactly the reason you state.

And maybe someone could argue that leaving it up to the FA discretion is too difficult, but it doesn't take a physicist to determine that the lone passenger among the block of 12 seats (me) was not impinging on the space of any paying customers.

Economy Plus is actually a cabin class (http://www.united.com/page/middlepage/0,6998,1128,00.html) on United which I'd consider to fall under the same logic as not being able to "self-upgrade" to business class just because there are seats open. An exit row is not a cabin class, but obviously it is something they're trying to squeeze some extra revenue out of.

Interestingly, on the flight the night before the FA actually got on the PA and said we were all welcome to move around and spread out, and he didn't say, "Except for the Extra Legroom seats" so it's apparently already a policy they administer arbitrarily.

Economy Plus is actually a cabin class (http://www.united.com/page/middlepage/0,6998,1128,00.html) on United which I'd consider to fall under the same logic as not being able to "self-upgrade" to business class just because there are seats open. An exit row is not a cabin class, but obviously it is something they're trying to squeeze some extra revenue out of.


You are arguing semantics. If JB made a web page calling the seats the "Exit Row Cabin Class" would that make a difference to you? United is just being more sophisticated in its revenue squeezing model. It evolved over time and started out pretty similar to what JB has now: Even More Legroom (http://www.jetblue.com/about/ourcompany/150seats/)

Economy Plus is actually a cabin class (http://www.united.com/page/middlepage/0,6998,1128,00.html) on United which I'd consider to fall under the same logic as not being able to "self-upgrade" to business class just because there are seats open. An exit row is not a cabin class, but obviously it is something they're trying to squeeze some extra revenue out of.

What fare classes book into that class? United can call it whatever they want but it is not a cabin. In fact is almost the exact same thing as EML except they offer a "annual option" and move elites there for free.

You are arguing semantics. If JB made a web page calling the seats the "Exit Row Cabin Class" would that make a difference to you? United is just being more sophisticated in its revenue squeezing model. It evolved over time and started out pretty similar to what JB has now: Even More Legroom (http://www.jetblue.com/about/ourcompany/150seats/)

^^

Yeah, I understand their logic, though in this case it wasn't worth the $25 before the flight, and it wasn't worth $25 on board. Their pricing is pretty foolish ($25 for an hour's worth of 4" of legroom) thus all their premium seats were empty).

It obviously is worth something as you left your assigned seat to get into the EML seat. It might not be worth the $25 extra to you but that is B6's decision not yours. I don't understand how people feel entitled to something that they did not pay for or earn. Sitting in a seat that you did not pay for is the same as jumping behind the counter at a butcher shop or Whole Food's and then helping yourself to a nice cut of meat and when questioned by the butcher as to what you are doing the you reply with "Nobody bought it and there is plenty of meat left so I thought I would just cut myself a nice piece." Then capping it off with a "I am a loyal customer of this store, do you know how much money I spend here?" Then again I am young so who knows what I might see in the future. I have paid for EML on 1 hour flights although I recall it being $10 and not $25. If the seat goes out empty and B6 did not get revenue from that seat, it is in their best interest to keep it empty in order to preserve some aura of exclusivity (I know B6 is an all coach airline.) When they revamp their True Blue program their elites will have complimentary access to EML I believe and if you fly enough to earn it I am sure you would not like to see someone poaching a seat in the row next to you even if it is empty or even worse when they sit in the seat next to you when they haven't earned it or paid for it and you have.

Why are we feeding the trolls?

I've said it before and it bears repeating: people shouldn't be allowed to post until they have a certain minimum number of posts.

Why are we feeding the trolls?

I've said it before and it bears repeating: people shouldn't be allowed to post until they have a certain minimum number of posts.

That's a pretty significant barrier to entry, unless you meant "post a thread" :).

This thread asks a simple and pertinent question politely and reasonably. That's not trolling behavior. Let's be equally polite and measured with responses.

FWIW, I agree that this is JetBlue's decision to make. I could understand their going either way, but as in other areas, the decision needs to be consistently applied once it is made. Inconsistency will drive customers much more crazy than will a policy they disagree with.

Yes it was the right call. It is a product that they charge for and if you don't pay for it I don't see why you feel entitled to the seat for free. If you paid to play 9 holes and the back 9 at a golf course is empty do you think you should be allowed to play it for free? What about an empty luxury suite at a hotel when you paid for a standard room?

I wouldn't pay the $25 either for a 90 minute flight but I wouldn't feel entitled to help myself either. Would you have paid $10? That is the normal fee for a BOSIAD flight, I guess you happened to book the one flight in each direction (IADBOS 304 & BOSIAD 307) that is $25.

Why are we feeding the trolls?

I've said it before and it bears repeating: people shouldn't be allowed to post until they have a certain minimum number of posts.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Troll_(Internet)

In Internet slang, a troll is someone who posts controversial, inflammatory, irrelevant or off-topic messages in an online community, such as an online discussion forum, chat room or blog, with the primary intent of provoking other users into an emotional or disciplinary response[1] or of otherwise disrupting normal on-topic discussion.[2]

Take it easy, friend. It was a friendly question asking for some opinions of others. If your definition of a troll is anyone who thinks about an issue differently than you then you'd be best served by simply making your own discussion board and only allowing yourself to post. :D But what fun would that be? Plus, you'd never be able to start a thread (or post even) because you'd have a zero post count.

I appreciate the variety of input and thoughts on the topic. Clearly I'm in the minority of opinions of people posting here, and by virtue of the fact that nobody was spending $25 for the seats I'm in the overwhelming majority of passenger opinion as to how they price the resource.

--Jason

You are arguing semantics. If JB made a web page calling the seats the "Exit Row Cabin Class" would that make a difference to you? United is just being more sophisticated in its revenue squeezing model. It evolved over time and started out pretty similar to what JB has now: Even More Legroom (http://www.jetblue.com/about/ourcompany/150seats/)

Fair points, all. To me the distinction seems logical (and more importantly well-established throughout all our flying experience) that in multi-class or service planes that you don't move from one cabin to another, but that moving around your cabin (once everyone's found their assigned seats) has always been allowed. And even though I get exit row seats on certain airlines based on my elite status, I've never heard anyone told that they can't move to that row once we've boarded. And while I wouldn't do it myself, that's included people moving into the middle seat of my exit row when it had been blocked because I was Exec Plat.

I am, absolutely, making a distinction between "geographically distinct" forward and rear cabins of a plane, and the exit row which someone might be in front of or behind. If they're going to introduce that as a new distinction they ought to have mentioned it on the prior night's flight when they invited people to move around the cabin and spread out.

--Jason

If you paid to play 9 holes and the back 9 at a golf course is empty do you think you should be allowed to play it for free?
For the record, I find this the most compelling of the various analogies. It would be easy to "self-upgrade" and, in theory, no one would be affected. Good point.
What about an empty luxury suite at a hotel when you paid for a standard room? Can't self-upgrade without a B&E charge. :D

I wouldn't pay the $25 either for a 90 minute flight but I wouldn't feel entitled to help myself either. Would you have paid $10? I would have paid the $10, but I'd purchased my ticket too late (last minute trip) and wasn't able to select a seat. There was probably some means of calling in and doing it but frankly I didn't have the time. But yes, $10 seems about right for a 60~90 minute flight.

That is the normal fee for a BOSIAD flight, I guess you happened to book the one flight in each direction (IADBOS 304 & BOSIAD 307) that is $25.

Yup, I was on 307. Impressive knowledge! So why the distinction? When I saw the $25 fee when I booked the return trip, I actually thought it was some kind of error. It was a different aircraft, but the same seat pitch as far as I can tell. Do you know why they price them differently?

--Jason

This thread asks a simple and pertinent question politely and reasonably. That's not trolling behavior. Let's be equally polite and measured with responses.

FWIW, I agree that this is JetBlue's decision to make. I could understand their going either way, but as in other areas, the decision needs to be consistently applied once it is made. Inconsistency will drive customers much more crazy than will a policy they disagree with.

Since I'm pretty clearly in the minority of posters here I'll consider my question answered. Thanks, everyone.

For the record, here's what would have made this an experience much more typical of the excellent history I've had with JB. A small sign/label/etching on the seatback in front of each EML seat that says:
"Jetting loves legroom. Welcome to one of our extra legroom seats. There's a small fee for all this extra space. If you didn't pay for the seat when you booked, our friendly flight attendant will be happy to swipe your credit card for you on board."
A sign like that not only reinforces the desired "elite" status of the seat, but makes any subsequent conversation an easy one. Point to the sign, ask for the credit card.

A sign like that not only reinforces the desired "elite" status of the seat, but makes any subsequent conversation an easy one. Point to the sign, ask for the credit card.

Excellent idea.

Oh, and welcome to the JetBlue forum, jbsjbs. Please visit often!

So what happens if the flight is almost full and only the seats with extra legroom are available? Are you forced to pay $25 extra?

So what happens if the flight is almost full and only the seats with extra legroom are available? Are you forced to pay $25 extra?

Good question . . . I've been occasionally assigned a ELR seat without having paid for it, so I'd imagine that if you have a boarding pass with the ELR seat on it then the FA doesn't care or know whether you paid for it or were comped.

Flew yesterday IAD-BOS and back today. Bought both tickets last minute and flights were short and empty. I often buy an "Extra Leg Room" seat for longer flights, but $25 for an hour long flight didn't seem worthwhile. Last night I was in the row behind the exit and when the door closed the row was empty so I moved up one row. No problem.

This afternoon, same deal. Flight was maybe 20% full and all 12 exit row seats were empty. Once the final passenger had boarded and sat down, I moved up a couple rows to an exit row seat. Couple minutes later a FA asked if I'd just boarded and I said, "No, I just moved up a couple of rows" at which point she told me -- in the midst of a nearly empty plane with 12 empty exit row seats, that if I wanted to sit in that seat she'd have to swipe my credit card and charge me $25.

Curious what others think.

--Jason

Great move by the FA and B6 if they are now enforcing this.

If you buy a five dollar ticket to sit in the bleachers at the new Yankee Stadium, you are not upgrading yourself to one of the (always empty) $2500 seats behind home plate.

EML is a product they are selling for much needed revenue. If you know that you have a chance to get it for free, you will not buy it for your next flight.

Great move by the FA and B6 if they are now enforcing this.

If you buy a five dollar ticket to sit in the bleachers at the new Yankee Stadium, you are not upgrading yourself to one of the (always empty) $2500 seats behind home plate.

EML is a product they are selling for much needed revenue. If you know that you have a chance to get it for free, you will not buy it for your next flight.

I didn't mean to start a contest to see how many different examples we could find of other scenarios in which people buy one thing and "steal" another. But you're wrong when you say, "If you know that you have a chance to get it for free, you will not buy it for your next flight." This is a new JB policy and yet in the past (pre-policy) I've still purchased EML seats because I didn't want "a chance" to have it, I wanted to have a guarantee of it.

We can argue all day about whether a business is better off letting an expiring commodity go to waste (to use some of the many analogies in this thread . . . 9 holes of golf, a cut of meat, an empty plane seat) or using it to enhance the experience of an already-paying customer. The fact that most airlines are losing money and/or bankrupt means they probably have some room for improvement on the pricing front. But the manner in which JB is implementing the policy leaves much to be desired. nsx's point that inconsistency is an annoyance is exactly right, and if you know that your new policy makes you pretty much the only airline on which someone would be forbidden from moving further back in their cabin to an exit row, print up a little sign and be consistent.

--Jason

For me, my next trip to Boston will be back to the US Air Shuttle.

--Jason

You'll be better off that way. Seriously. If you don't like JetBlue when the sun is shining, just wait until it's not......

And welcome to FT!

This is a new JB policy

Is it? Or was it an FA enforcing a rule that doesn't exist? That happens all the time (though less often on B6, IME).

And, FWIW, I always thought the policy should be that no self-upgrading be permitted.

Is it? Or was it an FA enforcing a rule that doesn't exist? That happens all the time (though less often on B6, IME).

And, FWIW, I always thought the policy should be that no self-upgrading be permitted.

It is. Before, we did not have the charging capability on our cashless cabin device. now we do...

Here's another reason I think if you're going to have a policy then the signs would be a good idea . . . a lot of times the FA's are not going to enforce or even announce the policy. For example, my flight the night before when they invited us to move around

The only ones (other than JetBlue) affected by "self-upgrading" are the other passengers on that row (there were none on my flight). Having signs makes it possible for those passengers who paid for extra legroom and a good possibility of an emptier row to address someone who, at the start of a long flight, comes and sits down in the empty middle seat of their EML row. That strikes me as a perfectly legitimate objection, and as I said I'd not have moved into the seats if any of the row had been occupied.

If you put up a sign, it lets the passengers who did pay to sit there point to the sign and say, "Hey, just so you know before you settle in, they'll be by in a few minutes to collect the $xx fee for the upgraded seat". As someone who does buy EML seats on cross-country flights, I'd see that as valuable.

Is it? Or was it an FA enforcing a rule that doesn't exist? That happens all the time (though less often on B6, IME).

And, FWIW, I always thought the policy should be that no self-upgrading be permitted.

She told me it was a new policy as of Aug 3rd.

For me, the key to the discussion is the inconsistency. For most of us, if we know the rules we are willing to follow them. If on some flights you can move to an exit row and some you can't, based on who's working the flight, then it is no longer a rule but a crap shoot. When they are not consistent it puts both the passenger and the FA in a bad position when the 'sometimes' rule is enforced.

For me, the key to the discussion is the inconsistency. For most of us, if we know the rules we are willing to follow them. If on some flights you can move to an exit row and some you can't, based on who's working the flight, then it is no longer a rule but a crap shoot. When they are not consistent it puts both the passenger and the FA in a bad position when the 'sometimes' rule is enforced.

Totally agree. I forwarded the signage suggestion to JB management.

I hope they implement it . Anything that can help prevent the FA's from being the bad guys is worth doing .

If there is a product that costs x and you take it for free, isn't that stealing? ?

I'm going to be a radical for once and say "no."

Yes, there is a semantical element to this post, deal with it.

For one, it would be more akin to tresspass - since you didn't deprive anybody of anything (you can't take money away from somebody who doesn't have it, that defies logic and would make a terrible case in a court of law), you are trying to access somewhere you shouldn't - like how accessing the cockpit when you shouldn't isn't all of a sudden considered "stealing" (but in the right circumstances will get the TSA/FBI involved post-911).

Now I don't wan to hear "But how can you think it is ok then?" - I never said or implied that, I merely addressed a different point in the post. You don't have to think something is stealing to think it is wrong.

(also, if your logic was correct, IMO, accepting gifts would be considered stealing since *you* didn't pay for that gift, you dirty rotten thief you. ;)

Now to the meat of the matter, I am wondering - if it is such a problem, why not make it possible to pay on board to upgrade yourself to those seats if they are unoccupied - or any of the extra legroom seats for that matter - if they are so dead set on making money from those seats after the plane is off the ground. I will admit I don't know *how* it could be done, but it would seem possible.

Now to the meat of the matter, I am wondering - if it is such a problem, why not make it possible to pay on board to upgrade yourself to those seats if they are unoccupied - or any of the extra legroom seats for that matter - if they are so dead set on making money from those seats after the plane is off the ground. I will admit I don't know *how* it could be done, but it would seem possible.

You should take some time and read the posts or do some research first. JetBlue does charge on board to upgrade. ;)

Now to the meat of the matter, I am wondering - if it is such a problem, why not make it possible to pay on board to upgrade yourself to those seats if they are unoccupied - or any of the extra legroom seats for that matter - if they are so dead set on making money from those seats after the plane is off the ground. I will admit I don't know *how* it could be done, but it would seem possible.

As delighted as I am to see someone else out there who thinks there's a difference between my moving into an unoccupied seat in my same cabin and my hitting a grandmother over the head to steal her social security check :-) I do want to point out that paying on board is possible. That's what the FA asked when she approached me was to swipe my credit card for $25. For some reason JB arbitrarily decided that the "upgrade" was worth $25 on this flight even though it had been $10 the night before. I happened to value the seat at far less than $25 so I declined the credit card swipe.

Meanwhile, I'm traveling later this month to California from DC and I'm taking United instead of JB outbound, where I bought an Economy Plus seat, and on the return I selected AA over a slightly-more-attractive JB flight because AA gives me an exit row seat and laptop power.

The policy is certainly JB's choice to have, but it's not revenue neutral. As with all policies it gets factored into customers' purchase decisions, and in this case the manner (arbitrary) in which it was applied had a big impact on my satisfaction with the policy.

--J

As delighted as I am to see someone else out there who thinks there's a difference between my moving into an unoccupied seat in my same cabin and my hitting a grandmother over the head to steal her social security check :-)

If I were a coffee drinker, it would be all over my keyboard. :D:D:D

Yes it was the right call. It is a product that they charge for and if you don't pay for it I don't see why you feel entitled to the seat for free. If you paid to play 9 holes and the back 9 at a golf course is empty do you think you should be allowed to play it for free? What about an empty luxury suite at a hotel when you paid for a standard room?

I wouldn't pay the $25 either for a 90 minute flight but I wouldn't feel entitled to help myself either. Would you have paid $10? That is the normal fee for a BOSIAD flight, I guess you happened to book the one flight in each direction (IADBOS 304 & BOSIAD 307) that is $25.

^^

So it would be ok for you to take the seat because "full fare passengers" should not be offended? I find that attitude offensive.

^^

So it would be ok for you to take the seat because "full fare passengers" should not be offended? I find that attitude offensive.

I don't think I understand your post . . . are you referring to "Igotmybigboypantson" who you quote, or to me? I don't recall saying that I think full fare passengers should not be offended, though in general it's not very good economics to annoy the people who spend the most for your product. Not even saying that this policy does that, just that in general I try and keep my most profitable customers happy. Seems logical.

Totally agree. I forwarded the signage suggestion to JB management.

As a JetBlue pilot, my sincere thanks for forwarding the suggestion to management. I think the idea of enforcing the EML cabin in a manner similar to UA's E+ is a good one; our management, however, has not consistently communicated the intent or goals to either our crewmembers or customers.

Come to think of it, several other things here happen that way. Thanks for your business and feedback and hopefully we'll see you back when our product meets your needs!

As a JetBlue pilot, my sincere thanks for forwarding the suggestion to management. I think the idea of enforcing the EML cabin in a manner similar to UA's E+ is a good one; our management, however, has not consistently communicated the intent or goals to either our crewmembers or customers.

Come to think of it, several other things here happen that way. Thanks for your business and feedback and hopefully we'll see you back when our product meets your needs!

What a gracious message. If it's any consolation, I think most of us work for companies who don't always clearly communicate what's going on or why. :D

As delighted as I am to see someone else out there who thinks there's a difference between my moving into an unoccupied seat in my same cabin and my hitting a grandmother over the head to steal her social security check :-) I do want to point out that paying on board is possible.

Everybody who said I should read up here / on the JB website is right. I missed that factoid before my post and it serves me right. I've been neglecting my passion for aviation/airline ops knowledge lately it seems.

The arbitrary nature of a) enforcing the policy and b) how much they charge, IF I am correctly seeing that as a problem, but I guess I'm preaching to the choir.

Thanks jbsjbs... it's a little consolation. I often feel like upper management has some truly great ideas for running and marketing the airline, but they seem to be lost in translation by our middle management. As a result, execution ends up being flawed.

That seems to be true both for us as crewmembers and for our Customers like you. Inconsistency in application and communication of policies leads to far more aggravation than the actual policy itself. For example, the change in EML policy was communicated to us as a change in the cashless cabin PDA functionality, without any real emphasis on the idea of protecting or promoting the EML product. And I'm at complete loss to explain the difference in fees by flight number. At any rate thanks again for the feedback and your business. I'm told that upper management is able to occasionally act on feedback here at Flyertalk; hopefully that will continue to be true.

Thanks jbsjbs... it's a little consolation. I often feel like upper management has some truly great ideas for running and marketing the airline, but they seem to be lost in translation by our middle management. As a result, execution ends up being flawed.

That seems to be true both for us as crewmembers and for our Customers like you. Inconsistency in application and communication of policies leads to far more aggravation than the actual policy itself. For example, the change in EML policy was communicated to us as a change in the cashless cabin PDA functionality, without any real emphasis on the idea of protecting or promoting the EML product. And I'm at complete loss to explain the difference in fees by flight number. At any rate thanks again for the feedback and your business. I'm told that upper management is able to occasionally act on feedback here at Flyertalk; hopefully that will continue to be true.

Thanks for your perspective (even though this is not my thread). I always appreciate hearing from the airline professionals (pilots, FA, GA) and getting the other side of the story. When traveling ( and occasionally aggravated at something) I don't get the other side of the story to appreciate that there are other perspectives other than mine at the time. It also makes the airline feel a bit more personal. The UA pilot and FA threads have been great at explaining a whole host of circumstances that arise while traveling. Please continue to give your views on the issues (and encourage your peers to as well).

Best regards

Thanks all for chiming on this, especially if you have communicated your concerns with the company.

I believe you will see signs in the future. Robin Hayes has communicated with us in BOS that we will be seeing new upgrades to our product such as signage in our cabin (presumably along overhead bins) to separate the EML cabin. There are other products upgrades/introductions that Robin spoke to us about that may come online with the new TB program.. Stay tuned and thanks all!

What is going to happen if you have a flight that few people are willing to pay for EML and everyone is crammed in the back but due to weight and balance issues, the flight crew asks passengers to please move forward to the EML section? I was on a JFK-IAD A320 flight earlier this year where this scenario happened. Will B6 refund $25 to those who paid to sit up front? If they have the capability to charge for onboard upgrades, they should have the ability to refund if operational reasons require people moving up for free.

What is going to happen if you have a flight that few people are willing to pay for EML and everyone is crammed in the back but due to weight and balance issues, the flight crew asks passengers to please move forward to the EML section? I was on a JFK-IAD A320 flight earlier this year where this scenario happened. Will B6 refund $25 to those who paid to sit up front? If they have the capability to charge for onboard upgrades, they should have the ability to refund if operational reasons require people moving up for free.

This would seem no different than an op-up into first. Airlines don't refund the cash, miles, upgrade instruments, etc. that some people voluntarily use to confirm a better seat, just because someone else has a lucky day.

Ha I can confirm enforcement today! Just got off the 815 BOS - MCO flight. The girl sitting middle nxt to me didn't have TV so I told her she could have my seat and hopped back to an empty row 10. I enjoyed a nap but when I woke up a very pretty and very nice FA shook her head at me and said 'sorry sir you gotta go back to ur seat'. I happily obliged... Then again I was flying non-rev so I have ZERO complaints!

I LOVE jetBlue!!!

I flew Virgin America to Vegas last Saturday. They have a HUGE upcharge for their version of EML seats.

The first row in the main cabin (which is one of their EML rows) was empty. Three guys traveling together were sitting in the row behind the empty one. The guy in the middle jumped into the empty row when they closed the door. The FA told him he could stay but that he would not get the perks associated with that seat (i.e, free food and drinks).

The girl sitting middle nxt to me didn't have TV

Shocking! A TV that was not working. This happens way too often.
On my flight back from Vegas (I took B6), (the FA) instead of telling the guy in front of me with the broken TV to go to the website and contact "Speak Up" as they have always done in the past, she had a preprinted card for him for his $15 credit.

An interesting twist on the EML on-board charge that I was made aware of in my AYCJ adventures (http://allicanjet.wanderingaramean.com) this weekend...

If you're flying on a long-haul ($40 EML) route and want the EML but don't want to pay $40 for it there is a way to get it for only $25, assuming the seats are still available at the time of departure. The CC POS machines that they swipe your card on have a max of $25 that they can process. @:-)

I actually thought the guy next to me on my first flight yesterday was going to hit that limit when he asked the FA to run him a tab, starting with headphones and moving on to several drinks for he and his wife. :)

Good question . . . I've been occasionally assigned a ELR seat without having paid for it, so I'd imagine that if you have a boarding pass with the ELR seat on it then the FA doesn't care or know whether you paid for it or were comped.

Consider it a free upgrade which happens... airlines, hotels, cruise ships, etc... The point is sometime you'll get a free upgrade but that does not mean you should expect it every time. In the end, EML is a product that offers extra legroom... the only way to guarantee to sit there is to pay for it.

Since I'm pretty clearly in the minority of posters here I'll consider my question answered. Thanks, everyone.

For the record, here's what would have made this an experience much more typical of the excellent history I've had with JB. A small sign/label/etching on the seatback in front of each EML seat that says:

A sign like that not only reinforces the desired "elite" status of the seat, but makes any subsequent conversation an easy one. Point to the sign, ask for the credit card.

Excellent idea.

Oh, and welcome to the JetBlue forum, jbsjbs. Please visit often!

That would be wonderful, except, every single item we add or remove from the aircraft, IE: new placard, would have to be FAA approved. That process takes so long by the time we get the signage in place, it's outdated.