F seat giveaway!
Jul 19, 2010, 10:07 pm
#32
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 2
I live in Atlanta and I have been the beneficiary of people's generosity when I was coming home from various airports around the world when I was on active duty.
My civilian company flies me C class whenever the flight is over 4 hours and I have given that to a couple of fellow Marines. I was on a JFK-FRA on Singapore Air when I stopped a young Lance Corporal and told him "Semper Fi, take my seat and give me yours." He looked at me like I was some molester or something and actually politely turned me down at first. His reasoning was he was traveling with 2 other guys and he didn't want to make them feel bad. At that point I turned around in the aisle and said very loudly "I am giving my seat to this young Marine but he is reluctant to leave his buddies in Coach. I need two volunteers to give up their seats and move to coach with me please." There were 4 hands that went into the air.
Funny, they were all former military themselves. I guess we take care of each other. The three of us had a really good flight back in coach.
My civilian company flies me C class whenever the flight is over 4 hours and I have given that to a couple of fellow Marines. I was on a JFK-FRA on Singapore Air when I stopped a young Lance Corporal and told him "Semper Fi, take my seat and give me yours." He looked at me like I was some molester or something and actually politely turned me down at first. His reasoning was he was traveling with 2 other guys and he didn't want to make them feel bad. At that point I turned around in the aisle and said very loudly "I am giving my seat to this young Marine but he is reluctant to leave his buddies in Coach. I need two volunteers to give up their seats and move to coach with me please." There were 4 hands that went into the air.
Funny, they were all former military themselves. I guess we take care of each other. The three of us had a really good flight back in coach.
Jul 19, 2010, 10:43 pm
#33
Join Date: Nov 2007
Programs: Mile-High Club, Marriott Plt, SPG P-75, PC Plt, Hyatt Dia, Carlson Gold, BW Dia
Posts: 1,845
You misread between the lines. I was happy to give up the seat at first, it genuinely seemed as though the man was having a bad day. Seeing a grown man whinge like a 3 year old is really sad. I, like some of the other posters don't really care too much for the seat itself, and I don't drink, so there isn't a huge investment there for me. There was NO bluff at all. I was just more than a little surprised that there was not even a hint of gratitude, more almost a sense of disbelief, where maybe he felt like he better bugger off and take the seat quickly before I changed my mind. Regardless, I hope the trip into SLC was a little less painful for him, and who knows perhaps he was able to have a good nap and felt better upon landing... One can only hope!
Jul 19, 2010, 11:30 pm
#34
Join Date: Jul 2010
Programs: UA GS, Marriott Platinum, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 1
When UA still had the 500-miles certificates, I was able to use my 1K status to upgrade soldiers on every flight I saw them and knew my fellow status rich colleagues would get all the F seats. This included giving up my seat many times. These days, it's tougher to do that as UA has taken away 500-mile certificates but gives elites free upgrades. Now I can only give up my seat.
Just this morning, flying from PHL to ORD, I gave up my F seat on an A320 to a Corporal who was on his way to Afghanistan. When we landed, he thanked me again and I showed him to United's Red Carpet Club, where we had a couple drinks and he told me his life story and talked about leaving behind his wife for his second tour of duty and how he was worried that he would never return. We exchanged emails and promised to keep in touch.
You meet some of the best people by giving up your seat or helping them get upgrades. I try to do it everytime I see someone in uniform. Sometimes they are so out of it that they just want to sleep, others want to talk, others want to meet later. Try it out, it's a little something extra that they take out to the war zone in a difficult time of their lives.
Just this morning, flying from PHL to ORD, I gave up my F seat on an A320 to a Corporal who was on his way to Afghanistan. When we landed, he thanked me again and I showed him to United's Red Carpet Club, where we had a couple drinks and he told me his life story and talked about leaving behind his wife for his second tour of duty and how he was worried that he would never return. We exchanged emails and promised to keep in touch.
You meet some of the best people by giving up your seat or helping them get upgrades. I try to do it everytime I see someone in uniform. Sometimes they are so out of it that they just want to sleep, others want to talk, others want to meet later. Try it out, it's a little something extra that they take out to the war zone in a difficult time of their lives.
Jul 20, 2010, 8:17 am
#35
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,098
Was on a flight ATL-SLC the other night and boarded with my Y seat and after getting settled GA came and found me and told me they had an F seat available. My seatmate who was still putting his stuff in the overheads had a meltdown, yelling about the terrible day he had had, and how he felt he deserved the F seat. Fighting the urge to not reward what I felt was bad behavior (the parent in me) I offered the F seat to the man who was clearly upset. His response was, "Really? SURE!" And off he went, no thank you, or hey I appreciate that. The whole thing left me a little bemused to be honest, especially the passenger's lack of any kind of social etiquette. I have wondered in the past if I should offer my F seat to another passenger for various reasons, but I am not sure I will again.
So it got me thinking, anyone else ever offer their F seat to another passenger, what were the circumstances and/or reactions? Just curious...
So it got me thinking, anyone else ever offer their F seat to another passenger, what were the circumstances and/or reactions? Just curious...
Geeez...and to think he paid for a coach ticket anyhow.
Jul 23, 2010, 10:48 am
#36
Join Date: Oct 2000
Posts: 2,657
Some people are pompous self centered aholes. My ex boyfriend belongs in this catagory.
He would have no problem sticking me in coach - despite the fact that I would never do that to him. (needless to say the relationship didn't last)
That being said, I have given my seat away, usually anonymously or quietly, to people who otherwise would never fly domestic F.
Domestic F is nothing to shout about, on any US based airline. I fly it regularly, so why not treat someone to it once in a while?. Its good travel karma.
He would have no problem sticking me in coach - despite the fact that I would never do that to him. (needless to say the relationship didn't last)
That being said, I have given my seat away, usually anonymously or quietly, to people who otherwise would never fly domestic F.
Domestic F is nothing to shout about, on any US based airline. I fly it regularly, so why not treat someone to it once in a while?. Its good travel karma.
Jul 23, 2010, 8:01 pm
#37
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,098
Some people are pompous self centered aholes. My ex boyfriend belongs in this catagory.
He would have no problem sticking me in coach - despite the fact that I would never do that to him. (needless to say the relationship didn't last)
That being said, I have given my seat away, usually anonymously or quietly, to people who otherwise would never fly domestic F.
Domestic F is nothing to shout about, on any US based airline. I fly it regularly, so why not treat someone to it once in a while?. Its good travel karma.
He would have no problem sticking me in coach - despite the fact that I would never do that to him. (needless to say the relationship didn't last)
That being said, I have given my seat away, usually anonymously or quietly, to people who otherwise would never fly domestic F.
Domestic F is nothing to shout about, on any US based airline. I fly it regularly, so why not treat someone to it once in a while?. Its good travel karma.
Jul 23, 2010, 9:20 pm
#38
Moderator: Luxury Hotels and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Palo Alto, California,USA
Posts: 17,854
Aha, I see this came from the DL forum -- maybe it's unique to DL?
Jul 23, 2010, 9:45 pm
#39
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: GNV which is not where we would like to be :)
Programs: ABP, Mr. Mom without the kids, Signor Mucci, DL PM, HH & Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 4,526
No kidding! Always always always give your significant other the better seat. My husband and I are both male so no gender or chivalry issue here, but still. I upgraded myself and my husband on YYZ-NRT once, but had only one upgrade left to come home. My husband got to sit up front for 12 hours, and I sat in back with the occasional amazed FA visiting to say how odd it was. 
When there is only one F seat it goes to the SO. I live in Atlanta and I have been the beneficiary of people's generosity when I was coming home from various airports around the world when I was on active duty.
My civilian company flies me C class whenever the flight is over 4 hours and I have given that to a couple of fellow Marines. I was on a JFK-FRA on Singapore Air when I stopped a young Lance Corporal and told him "Semper Fi, take my seat and give me yours." He looked at me like I was some molester or something and actually politely turned me down at first. His reasoning was he was traveling with 2 other guys and he didn't want to make them feel bad. At that point I turned around in the aisle and said very loudly "I am giving my seat to this young Marine but he is reluctant to leave his buddies in Coach. I need two volunteers to give up their seats and move to coach with me please." There were 4 hands that went into the air.
Funny, they were all former military themselves. I guess we take care of each other. The three of us had a really good flight back in coach.
My civilian company flies me C class whenever the flight is over 4 hours and I have given that to a couple of fellow Marines. I was on a JFK-FRA on Singapore Air when I stopped a young Lance Corporal and told him "Semper Fi, take my seat and give me yours." He looked at me like I was some molester or something and actually politely turned me down at first. His reasoning was he was traveling with 2 other guys and he didn't want to make them feel bad. At that point I turned around in the aisle and said very loudly "I am giving my seat to this young Marine but he is reluctant to leave his buddies in Coach. I need two volunteers to give up their seats and move to coach with me please." There were 4 hands that went into the air.
Funny, they were all former military themselves. I guess we take care of each other. The three of us had a really good flight back in coach.
When UA still had the 500-miles certificates, I was able to use my 1K status to upgrade soldiers on every flight I saw them and knew my fellow status rich colleagues would get all the F seats. This included giving up my seat many times. These days, it's tougher to do that as UA has taken away 500-mile certificates but gives elites free upgrades. Now I can only give up my seat.
Just this morning, flying from PHL to ORD, I gave up my F seat on an A320 to a Corporal who was on his way to Afghanistan. When we landed, he thanked me again and I showed him to United's Red Carpet Club, where we had a couple drinks and he told me his life story and talked about leaving behind his wife for his second tour of duty and how he was worried that he would never return. We exchanged emails and promised to keep in touch.
You meet some of the best people by giving up your seat or helping them get upgrades. I try to do it everytime I see someone in uniform. Sometimes they are so out of it that they just want to sleep, others want to talk, others want to meet later. Try it out, it's a little something extra that they take out to the war zone in a difficult time of their lives.
Just this morning, flying from PHL to ORD, I gave up my F seat on an A320 to a Corporal who was on his way to Afghanistan. When we landed, he thanked me again and I showed him to United's Red Carpet Club, where we had a couple drinks and he told me his life story and talked about leaving behind his wife for his second tour of duty and how he was worried that he would never return. We exchanged emails and promised to keep in touch.
You meet some of the best people by giving up your seat or helping them get upgrades. I try to do it everytime I see someone in uniform. Sometimes they are so out of it that they just want to sleep, others want to talk, others want to meet later. Try it out, it's a little something extra that they take out to the war zone in a difficult time of their lives.
Aug 2, 2010, 11:02 am
#40
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: BOS
Programs: AC*E
Posts: 133
i've given up my F seat numerous times. once was on a red-eye. my seatmate was talking to his old friend (they were both probably in their 70s), who was seated in the back. since i was going to be sleeping anyways, i gave up my seat so the two of them could chat and play cards. the FA was so surprised that i did it, that she gave me a bottle of wine. was unexpected, but a nice jesture! a few weeks later, a platinum member heard that i was asking for upgrade availablity to get my wife in F with me (i think i was only silver at the time). he came up to the GA and "sponsored" her into F. i do believe in travel karma
i'm actually flying business to HKG through YYZ in a few weeks, and my wife is going on the YYZ leg with me, so i'm hoping to upgrade her... if not, then i'll wait until we're both seated, and then ask her seatmate if they'd be willing to switch seats with me so we can sit together (w/o telling them my seat is in F). depending on their response, i'll either do the trade or ask someone else. i refuse to give up my F to an *hole.
i'm actually flying business to HKG through YYZ in a few weeks, and my wife is going on the YYZ leg with me, so i'm hoping to upgrade her... if not, then i'll wait until we're both seated, and then ask her seatmate if they'd be willing to switch seats with me so we can sit together (w/o telling them my seat is in F). depending on their response, i'll either do the trade or ask someone else. i refuse to give up my F to an *hole.