“Do You Know Who I Am?”: The Definitive Thread of DYKWIA Stories
Sep 16, 2014, 11:31 am
#3961
Join Date: May 2014
Programs: DL FO
Posts: 115
Some people pay to upgrade to EC, might make it a no go for some
Sep 16, 2014, 12:51 pm
#3963
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: ATL
Programs: DL Scattered Smothered Covered Medallion, Some hotel & car stuff, Kroger Plus Card
Posts: 10,745
If you are sitting in my assigned seat telling me you are in seat X, and you are sitting with your wife, I am definitely not going to be accommodating.
The issue a lot of us have here is when someone is asked to swap out a seat for a less desirable one or someone is just sitting in our seat before we board basically demanding we move to another seat.
The issue a lot of us have here is when someone is asked to swap out a seat for a less desirable one or someone is just sitting in our seat before we board basically demanding we move to another seat.
Any seat change request I make is just that, a polite request. I will not take someone else's seat unless they have agreed to it, and I will only ask to swap seats with someone if I am offering one that is the same or better than the one they will be giving up (this means that when Mrs. Lee and I are both assigned middle seats somehow, we suck it up and won't ask anyone to swap with us). And if they decline, I still thank them and then quietly take my original seat.
I understand that not everyone acts that way, and that's unfortunate, but I don't think it should lead to a generalization that all seat swap requests are evil.
Sep 16, 2014, 12:55 pm
#3964
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: New York, western US
Programs: DM/3MM
Posts: 4,246
These two sentences I can fully agree with.
Any seat change request I make is just that, a polite request. I will not take someone else's seat unless they have agreed to it, and I will only ask to swap seats with someone if I am offering one that is the same or better than the one they will be giving up (this means that when Mrs. Lee and I are both assigned middle seats somehow, we suck it up and won't ask anyone to swap with us). And if they decline, I still thank them and then quietly take my original seat.
I understand that not everyone acts that way, and that's unfortunate, but I don't think it should lead to a generalization that all seat swap requests are evil.
Any seat change request I make is just that, a polite request. I will not take someone else's seat unless they have agreed to it, and I will only ask to swap seats with someone if I am offering one that is the same or better than the one they will be giving up (this means that when Mrs. Lee and I are both assigned middle seats somehow, we suck it up and won't ask anyone to swap with us). And if they decline, I still thank them and then quietly take my original seat.
I understand that not everyone acts that way, and that's unfortunate, but I don't think it should lead to a generalization that all seat swap requests are evil.
Re: people taking your seat/the seat they want before you board, for some reason, I have encountered this most on NY to South Florida routes. Beats me why. Vacation entitlement?
Sep 16, 2014, 12:58 pm
#3965
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Earth. Residency:HKG formerly:YYZ
Programs: CX, DL, Nexus/GE, APEC
Posts: 10,687
"New York State of Mind?" - Billy Joel
Sep 16, 2014, 1:27 pm
#3967
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: NYC
Posts: 937
Weighing in on the idea of proactively taking someone's seat when trying to sit with a friend.
Yes, the person with the boarding pass is the person entitled to the seat. However, could it be considered a courtesy to proactively sit down in the seat.
Hear me out.....
I'm in 24C, my wife is in 18C so i sit in 18B and leave my bags on my lap. When 18B comes by I explain the situation and politely ask if he will take 24C. If he says yes, I say thank you and settle in. If he says no, i get up and go to 24C.
OR
I go sit in 24C. Towards the end of boarding I swim upstream to ask 18B if he will switch. He has his bags in the overhead, his seatbelt on and has taken a sandwich and ipad out of his personal item. It is now much more of a hassle to him to move than if i asked him before he could sit down. If he says no, thats fine. If he says yes, we cram the aisle as I gather my things and move up, having 18C get up and let us in/out, he moves his stuff, etc....
Of course, anyone who cops an attitude or demands the switch remains a pita. But couldn't this method above almost be considered more courteous?
Just a thought.
Yes, the person with the boarding pass is the person entitled to the seat. However, could it be considered a courtesy to proactively sit down in the seat.
Hear me out.....
I'm in 24C, my wife is in 18C so i sit in 18B and leave my bags on my lap. When 18B comes by I explain the situation and politely ask if he will take 24C. If he says yes, I say thank you and settle in. If he says no, i get up and go to 24C.
OR
I go sit in 24C. Towards the end of boarding I swim upstream to ask 18B if he will switch. He has his bags in the overhead, his seatbelt on and has taken a sandwich and ipad out of his personal item. It is now much more of a hassle to him to move than if i asked him before he could sit down. If he says no, thats fine. If he says yes, we cram the aisle as I gather my things and move up, having 18C get up and let us in/out, he moves his stuff, etc....
Of course, anyone who cops an attitude or demands the switch remains a pita. But couldn't this method above almost be considered more courteous?
Just a thought.
Sep 16, 2014, 1:36 pm
#3968
Join Date: May 2004
Location: MSP
Programs: Delta PM
Posts: 215
Weighing in on the idea of proactively taking someone's seat when trying to sit with a friend.
Yes, the person with the boarding pass is the person entitled to the seat. However, could it be considered a courtesy to proactively sit down in the seat.
Hear me out.....
I'm in 24C, my wife is in 18C so i sit in 18B and leave my bags on my lap. When 18B comes by I explain the situation and politely ask if he will take 24C. If he says yes, I say thank you and settle in. If he says no, i get up and go to 24C.
OR
I go sit in 24C. Towards the end of boarding I swim upstream to ask 18B if he will switch. He has his bags in the overhead, his seatbelt on and has taken a sandwich and ipad out of his personal item. It is now much more of a hassle to him to move than if i asked him before he could sit down. If he says no, thats fine. If he says yes, we cram the aisle as I gather my things and move up, having 18C get up and let us in/out, he moves his stuff, etc....
Of course, anyone who cops an attitude or demands the switch remains a pita. But couldn't this method above almost be considered more courteous?
Just a thought.
Yes, the person with the boarding pass is the person entitled to the seat. However, could it be considered a courtesy to proactively sit down in the seat.
Hear me out.....
I'm in 24C, my wife is in 18C so i sit in 18B and leave my bags on my lap. When 18B comes by I explain the situation and politely ask if he will take 24C. If he says yes, I say thank you and settle in. If he says no, i get up and go to 24C.
OR
I go sit in 24C. Towards the end of boarding I swim upstream to ask 18B if he will switch. He has his bags in the overhead, his seatbelt on and has taken a sandwich and ipad out of his personal item. It is now much more of a hassle to him to move than if i asked him before he could sit down. If he says no, thats fine. If he says yes, we cram the aisle as I gather my things and move up, having 18C get up and let us in/out, he moves his stuff, etc....
Of course, anyone who cops an attitude or demands the switch remains a pita. But couldn't this method above almost be considered more courteous?
Just a thought.
Or...You could keep your seat in 24C and simply ask the person in 24B if they'd mind switching with your wife. As a bonus, they'd get an aisle seat and move up a few rows.
Sep 16, 2014, 1:58 pm
#3969
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: NYC
Posts: 937
Of course, me being in 24C i could just ask 24B before they sat down if they would consider moving and if so flag my wife down to take the seat.
All i'm trying to say is i dont think every person who takes the seat is doing so with the attitude of 'this is my seat now, screw you if its a problem'
Sep 16, 2014, 2:28 pm
#3970
Join Date: May 2004
Location: MSP
Programs: Delta PM
Posts: 215
Injera...I get what you're saying. Swimming upstream is no fun. The drawback with the first approach is that you may come off as a seat poacher, even though you're completely willing to move back to your original seat. That could possibly leave a bad taste in 18B's mouth, and he might deny your request "just because".
Sep 16, 2014, 3:52 pm
#3971
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: SEA
Programs: Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 1,945
Weighing in on the idea of proactively taking someone's seat when trying to sit with a friend.
Yes, the person with the boarding pass is the person entitled to the seat. However, could it be considered a courtesy to proactively sit down in the seat.
Hear me out.....
I'm in 24C, my wife is in 18C so i sit in 18B and leave my bags on my lap. When 18B comes by I explain the situation and politely ask if he will take 24C. If he says yes, I say thank you and settle in. If he says no, i get up and go to 24C.
OR
I go sit in 24C. Towards the end of boarding I swim upstream to ask 18B if he will switch. He has his bags in the overhead, his seatbelt on and has taken a sandwich and ipad out of his personal item. It is now much more of a hassle to him to move than if i asked him before he could sit down. If he says no, thats fine. If he says yes, we cram the aisle as I gather my things and move up, having 18C get up and let us in/out, he moves his stuff, etc....
Of course, anyone who cops an attitude or demands the switch remains a pita. But couldn't this method above almost be considered more courteous?
Just a thought.
Yes, the person with the boarding pass is the person entitled to the seat. However, could it be considered a courtesy to proactively sit down in the seat.
Hear me out.....
I'm in 24C, my wife is in 18C so i sit in 18B and leave my bags on my lap. When 18B comes by I explain the situation and politely ask if he will take 24C. If he says yes, I say thank you and settle in. If he says no, i get up and go to 24C.
OR
I go sit in 24C. Towards the end of boarding I swim upstream to ask 18B if he will switch. He has his bags in the overhead, his seatbelt on and has taken a sandwich and ipad out of his personal item. It is now much more of a hassle to him to move than if i asked him before he could sit down. If he says no, thats fine. If he says yes, we cram the aisle as I gather my things and move up, having 18C get up and let us in/out, he moves his stuff, etc....
Of course, anyone who cops an attitude or demands the switch remains a pita. But couldn't this method above almost be considered more courteous?
Just a thought.
Sep 16, 2014, 4:26 pm
#3972
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: On the road somewhere
Programs: DL, National, Marriott, Hilton
Posts: 4,304
Weighing in on the idea of proactively taking someone's seat when trying to sit with a friend.
Yes, the person with the boarding pass is the person entitled to the seat. However, could it be considered a courtesy to proactively sit down in the seat.
Hear me out.....
I'm in 24C, my wife is in 18C so i sit in 18B and leave my bags on my lap. When 18B comes by I explain the situation and politely ask if he will take 24C. If he says yes, I say thank you and settle in. If he says no, i get up and go to 24C.
OR
I go sit in 24C. Towards the end of boarding I swim upstream to ask 18B if he will switch. He has his bags in the overhead, his seatbelt on and has taken a sandwich and ipad out of his personal item. It is now much more of a hassle to him to move than if i asked him before he could sit down. If he says no, thats fine. If he says yes, we cram the aisle as I gather my things and move up, having 18C get up and let us in/out, he moves his stuff, etc....
Of course, anyone who cops an attitude or demands the switch remains a pita. But couldn't this method above almost be considered more courteous?
Just a thought.
Yes, the person with the boarding pass is the person entitled to the seat. However, could it be considered a courtesy to proactively sit down in the seat.
Hear me out.....
I'm in 24C, my wife is in 18C so i sit in 18B and leave my bags on my lap. When 18B comes by I explain the situation and politely ask if he will take 24C. If he says yes, I say thank you and settle in. If he says no, i get up and go to 24C.
OR
I go sit in 24C. Towards the end of boarding I swim upstream to ask 18B if he will switch. He has his bags in the overhead, his seatbelt on and has taken a sandwich and ipad out of his personal item. It is now much more of a hassle to him to move than if i asked him before he could sit down. If he says no, thats fine. If he says yes, we cram the aisle as I gather my things and move up, having 18C get up and let us in/out, he moves his stuff, etc....
Of course, anyone who cops an attitude or demands the switch remains a pita. But couldn't this method above almost be considered more courteous?
Just a thought.
I was boarding an MD-88 last year. I was in a E seat and the row in front of me was occupied by a teen/young 20s couple. The person walking down the aisle in front of me had one of those 2 seats. She stopped in the aisle and just looked. The guy said something along the lines of "oh would you mind sitting in 29E?" I was in 22E I believe. He acted like the passenger who originally had that seat would just not care. All settled in from what I could tell.
To me it depends on where the new seat would be and how the person requesting presents themselves. I would've said no in the case that I witnessed since the guy acted like everyone was entitled to switch for him, the seat was more than 5 rows back (again on a MD-88), and I was really tired at that point.
Sep 16, 2014, 4:54 pm
#3973
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 105
That's what I was thinking. I don't think it's fair to ask someone to move back when you're asking for a favor unless it's a better seat for whatever reason. If you're asking to switch with someone by giving them a better seat, I don't see anything wrong with that. I've done that a few times. They were always happy to oblige (moving from coach to FC).
Sep 16, 2014, 4:57 pm
#3974
Join Date: Jun 2013
Programs: UA 1/MM SPG gold, CEO: Grandmother of 4
Posts: 557
Weighing in on the idea of proactively taking someone's seat when trying to sit with a friend.
Yes, the person with the boarding pass is the person entitled to the seat. However, could it be considered a courtesy to proactively sit down in the seat.
Hear me out.....
I'm in 24C, my wife is in 18C so i sit in 18B and leave my bags on my lap. When 18B comes by I explain the situation and politely ask if he will take 24C. If he says yes, I say thank you and settle in. If he says no, i get up and go to 24C.
OR
I go sit in 24C. Towards the end of boarding I swim upstream to ask 18B if he will switch. He has his bags in the overhead, his seatbelt on and has taken a sandwich and ipad out of his personal item. It is now much more of a hassle to him to move than if i asked him before he could sit down. If he says no, thats fine. If he says yes, we cram the aisle as I gather my things and move up, having 18C get up and let us in/out, he moves his stuff, etc....
Of course, anyone who cops an attitude or demands the switch remains a pita. But couldn't this method above almost be considered more courteous?
Just a thought.
Yes, the person with the boarding pass is the person entitled to the seat. However, could it be considered a courtesy to proactively sit down in the seat.
Hear me out.....
I'm in 24C, my wife is in 18C so i sit in 18B and leave my bags on my lap. When 18B comes by I explain the situation and politely ask if he will take 24C. If he says yes, I say thank you and settle in. If he says no, i get up and go to 24C.
OR
I go sit in 24C. Towards the end of boarding I swim upstream to ask 18B if he will switch. He has his bags in the overhead, his seatbelt on and has taken a sandwich and ipad out of his personal item. It is now much more of a hassle to him to move than if i asked him before he could sit down. If he says no, thats fine. If he says yes, we cram the aisle as I gather my things and move up, having 18C get up and let us in/out, he moves his stuff, etc....
Of course, anyone who cops an attitude or demands the switch remains a pita. But couldn't this method above almost be considered more courteous?
Just a thought.
Sep 16, 2014, 5:02 pm
#3975
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,404
Bad airline for giving upgrades to those parents. If the evil airline had left the parents in coach with their offspring, the problem wouldn't have arisen.
.