Line cutting
Nov 24, 2015, 7:47 pm
#31
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Tucson AZ
Programs: Global Entry, United Silver, Marriott Platinum Premier, Hilton Gold
Posts: 380
It works -- it really does. I got on a flight last year here at TUS and grabbed 1A. 1C was occupied by a woman with a surgical mask. The middle seat was never taken. Shortly before takeoff she took off the surgical mask and I asked her if she was feeling OK. Her response: "I feel fine, I put on the mask to discourage people from sitting next to me". It worked, but she had FAR more nerve than me. :-)
Nov 25, 2015, 9:04 am
#32
Join Date: Jul 2009
Programs: none
Posts: 1,669
I thought I'd seen it all, but on a recent flight to Tampa I was scammed by the Archbishop of New Orleans.
I was A-26 standing in line to board. He asked my number. I replied I was A-26. He showed his BP as A27. His reponse was "close enough". Upon boarding he was able to snag the exit row asile seat I was angeling for.
I was A-26 standing in line to board. He asked my number. I replied I was A-26. He showed his BP as A27. His reponse was "close enough". Upon boarding he was able to snag the exit row asile seat I was angeling for.
Nov 25, 2015, 11:52 am
#33
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 5,813
Nov 25, 2015, 2:29 pm
#34
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: San Diego, Ca
Programs: AA 2MM LT PLT; AS MVP Gold75k; HHonors Diamond; IHG PLT
Posts: 3,513
4. Second choice is to find an aisle seat towards the front of the aircraft where the window seat is already taken and the overhead bins are full (after you put your bag up). Most people will pass that right on by. Nine times out of ten, when I do this, the middle seat is eventually taken by a nice little old lady without a carry-on to deal with.
5. None of the above may work.
5. None of the above may work.
Nov 25, 2015, 2:34 pm
#35
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: San Diego, Ca
Programs: AA 2MM LT PLT; AS MVP Gold75k; HHonors Diamond; IHG PLT
Posts: 3,513
Only exception is on UA, when we pay for E+. FAs are VERY strict about limiting access to those who paid for E+, restrict movement - which is also why UA is toward the bottom of our list - just above WN.
Nov 25, 2015, 3:49 pm
#36
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 4,881
Nov 25, 2015, 5:33 pm
#37
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: LAS
Posts: 1,525
Please don't try this with my wife and I. We not only refuse to take the middle seat, we intentionally speak across the person in the middle seat, pass items back and forth, "encouraging" them to find another seat. Same goes for full service carriers, where we are able to reserve seats in advance.
Nov 25, 2015, 6:08 pm
#38
Moderator: Southwest Airlines, Capital One
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: California
Programs: WN Companion Pass, A-list preferred, Hyatt Globalist; United Club Lietime (sic) Member
Posts: 21,648
So is the rest of the world.
Nov 25, 2015, 8:07 pm
#39
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: ONT
Programs: AA Gold, WN A-, UA S, HH ♦, IHG Spire, Hertz Prez O, TSA Disparager
Posts: 2,159
Please don't try this with my wife and I. We not only refuse to take the middle seat, we intentionally speak across the person in the middle seat, pass items back and forth, "encouraging" them to find another seat. Same goes for full service carriers, where we are able to reserve seats in advance.
Only exception is on UA, when we pay for E+. FAs are VERY strict about limiting access to those who paid for E+, restrict movement - which is also why UA is toward the bottom of our list - just above WN.
Only exception is on UA, when we pay for E+. FAs are VERY strict about limiting access to those who paid for E+, restrict movement - which is also why UA is toward the bottom of our list - just above WN.
Nov 26, 2015, 10:08 am
#40
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 5,813
I'm not complaining. I'm well aware that no good deed goes unpunished. I'm reporting what happened. I thought it was amusing and thought others here would too.
Last edited by rsteinmetz70112; Nov 26, 2015 at 1:52 pm
Nov 26, 2015, 11:39 am
#42
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: San Diego, Ca
Programs: AA 2MM LT PLT; AS MVP Gold75k; HHonors Diamond; IHG PLT
Posts: 3,513
Nov 28, 2015, 7:44 am
#43
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Lubbock, TX
Programs: WN A-List, CP; Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 56
After being nearly pinned to the wall a few times by a COS, here's my strategy:
1. Avoid the first row like the plague.
2. Getting on first is not really to your advantage. The A1 - A15 crowd are suckers for punishment because the aircraft is nearly empty and you have little to no choice as to who sits next to you, and you can't play the game.
3. First choice, although rare, is a row with a middle and window taken and your seatmate isn't a COS. You sit down, you're done, and life is good.
4. Second choice is to find an aisle seat towards the front of the aircraft where the window seat is already taken and the overhead bins are full (after you put your bag up). Most people will pass that right on by. Nine times out of ten, when I do this, the middle seat is eventually taken by a nice little old lady without a carry-on to deal with.
5. None of the above may work.
1. Avoid the first row like the plague.
2. Getting on first is not really to your advantage. The A1 - A15 crowd are suckers for punishment because the aircraft is nearly empty and you have little to no choice as to who sits next to you, and you can't play the game.
3. First choice, although rare, is a row with a middle and window taken and your seatmate isn't a COS. You sit down, you're done, and life is good.
4. Second choice is to find an aisle seat towards the front of the aircraft where the window seat is already taken and the overhead bins are full (after you put your bag up). Most people will pass that right on by. Nine times out of ten, when I do this, the middle seat is eventually taken by a nice little old lady without a carry-on to deal with.
5. None of the above may work.
First row aisle is my seat of choice usually in a short haul at least and no laptop needs. If it's longer, I go for an exit...
Nov 28, 2015, 9:32 am
#44
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 5,813
I don't like the 1st row because I end up kicking the wall allthe time, plus I don't like the trays in the armrest.
Nov 28, 2015, 11:40 am
#45
Moderator: Southwest Airlines, Capital One
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: California
Programs: WN Companion Pass, A-list preferred, Hyatt Globalist; United Club Lietime (sic) Member
Posts: 21,648
I've read that seats in the first couple rows are narrower than regular rows. I'm certain that that seats in the last two rows are narrower.