Jul 14, 2015, 2:48 pm
Last edit by: BadgerBoi
The Definitive Guide to Seat Poaching
1. Don't do it.
2. Alternatively to #1: Asking politely (and not demanding) to swap for an equal or better seat is acceptable by most (but the final decision always lays with the original seat holder)...but, be warned, some FT'ers may breathe fire at you.
3. Keep in mind that Point 2 is not seat poaching.
1. Don't do it.
2. Alternatively to #1: Asking politely (and not demanding) to swap for an equal or better seat is acceptable by most (but the final decision always lays with the original seat holder)...but, be warned, some FT'ers may breathe fire at you.
3. Keep in mind that Point 2 is not seat poaching.
Seat Swapping, Seat Poaching and Seating Etiquette: The Definitive Thread
Jul 18, 2012, 1:01 am
#31
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On a JFK-TLV flight I had an aisle EC seat in the middle section and the seat next to me, a middle seat, was empty. It was the only empty seat on the entire packed plane. Lucked out big time.
For whatever reason at least five people in the regular econ section, incuding a lady with her screaming baby, asked to sit in that seat. The FA told every one of them, "That's Economy Comfort. You have to pay extra to sit there." Everyone backed down. Kudos to the FA for enforcing the seat assignments!
For whatever reason at least five people in the regular econ section, incuding a lady with her screaming baby, asked to sit in that seat. The FA told every one of them, "That's Economy Comfort. You have to pay extra to sit there." Everyone backed down. Kudos to the FA for enforcing the seat assignments!
Jul 18, 2012, 1:56 am
#32
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If they were at least cleaver enough to use Ben Edelman's tool for checking what seat is open before they take yours ...
Jul 18, 2012, 5:06 am
#33
Join Date: Jul 2004
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And yes, I'll consider moving for the aged and infirm and all that, newlyweds, etc.
Jul 18, 2012, 6:23 am
#34
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Well put.
I'm waiting to use this line the next time my seat is poached..."If your husband loved you, he would of purchased two seats together."
Jul 18, 2012, 6:32 am
#35
Join Date: Oct 2009
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All y'all know if you had just taken Southwest your seat poaching problems would be solved? Leave it to a Texas airline to take care of those lowdown nogood seat poachers!
Even better is that usually the 2nd upgraded passenger is last minute, they could care less if you had the seat reserved for 9 months.
I'm waiting to use this line the next time my seat is poached..."If your husband loved you, he would of purchased two seats together."
I'm waiting to use this line the next time my seat is poached..."If your husband loved you, he would of purchased two seats together."
Jul 18, 2012, 6:36 am
#36
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I've run into far too many of these people. This is by far and large my biggest pet peeve in air travel.
Last year I flew DTW/RSW after a redeye from the west coast. I cleared my upgrade and specifically chose the last row of F so that I could recline (and sleep) without going into anyone's personal space. I boarded to see my seat (and the one adjacent) occupied by a husband/wife combo being aggressive in telling me to sit down in front of them in row 5. Since I was too tired to care, I did as requested. Once airborne, I reclined and the husband went bezerk: he paid for his first class space, and I had no right to intrude on it... or so he thought.
I still run into this very often, both up front and in coach. I always just try to board early enough to prevent it, and if there's someone in my seat, I let the crew deal with it.
Last year I flew DTW/RSW after a redeye from the west coast. I cleared my upgrade and specifically chose the last row of F so that I could recline (and sleep) without going into anyone's personal space. I boarded to see my seat (and the one adjacent) occupied by a husband/wife combo being aggressive in telling me to sit down in front of them in row 5. Since I was too tired to care, I did as requested. Once airborne, I reclined and the husband went bezerk: he paid for his first class space, and I had no right to intrude on it... or so he thought.
I still run into this very often, both up front and in coach. I always just try to board early enough to prevent it, and if there's someone in my seat, I let the crew deal with it.
Jul 18, 2012, 6:39 am
#37
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I have the same policy
Jul 18, 2012, 6:52 am
#38
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Interesting piece in the NYT about jumping in someone else's seat...
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/10/bu...road.html?_r=1
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/10/bu...road.html?_r=1
An aisle seat at some airlines has a price as does assigned seating together, so these people are begging/stealing.
Jul 18, 2012, 6:57 am
#39
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Jul 18, 2012, 8:03 am
#40
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I always trade for couples or depending on the length of the trip.
Jul 18, 2012, 9:11 am
#41
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I'm less likely to trade seats if someone has already made themselves at home in my assigned seat, and tries to force my hand.
I will always ask what their original seat was before making my decision.
Like many of the folks here, I pick my seats based upon what I like, and it's unlikely that I'll like the swap seat more or equally. I also travel by myself most of the time, and it's not a big deal in my mind for a couple of adults to be apart for a couple hours.
I will always ask what their original seat was before making my decision.
Like many of the folks here, I pick my seats based upon what I like, and it's unlikely that I'll like the swap seat more or equally. I also travel by myself most of the time, and it's not a big deal in my mind for a couple of adults to be apart for a couple hours.
Jul 18, 2012, 9:17 am
#42
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I'm less likely to trade seats if someone has already made themselves at home in my assigned seat, and tries to force my hand.
I will always ask what their original seat was before making my decision.
Like many of the folks here, I pick my seats based upon what I like, and it's unlikely that I'll like the swap seat more or equally. I also travel by myself most of the time, and it's not a big deal in my mind for a couple of adults to be apart for a couple hours.
I will always ask what their original seat was before making my decision.
Like many of the folks here, I pick my seats based upon what I like, and it's unlikely that I'll like the swap seat more or equally. I also travel by myself most of the time, and it's not a big deal in my mind for a couple of adults to be apart for a couple hours.
Jul 18, 2012, 9:27 am
#43
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Next time I'll have no mercy. It actually hurt more that my seat was squatted and I was on a paid First ticket (my own money). When you are upgraded nowadays you are excited to just get that seat up front, obviously still with the intent of sitting in the seat you chose if you have that option, but I paid...I think I was having far too good of a week to go postal...Stay tuned, I have a bad feeling this will happen one more time this month with many flights left.
I saw that someone posted that NYT article, very timely!
Also, I'm shocked that this isn't only happening to me, I mean it seems like such a widespread issue.
I don't think I ever felt more entitled to my seat like yesterday...Yesterday should have been a Do You Know Who I Am moment...Paid First and Diamond
!!!
Jul 18, 2012, 9:32 am
#44
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I think we should all follow the policy of complaining loudly and reporting the incident to DL whenever a FA or GA displays the smallest amount of hesitation in enforcing seat assignments. IMO whenever a FA tries to talk or force an elite out of an assigned seat, it should be a fireable offense like giving away a BE upgrade to a friend or relative who isn't entitled to it.
Jul 18, 2012, 9:40 am
#45
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