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How do you handle someone sitting in your seat when you board?

How do you handle someone sitting in your seat when you board?

Old Jun 23, 2012, 9:21 pm
  #31  
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Originally Posted by MSPeconomist
If someone asks me nicely, I'll switch for an equivalent or better seat according to my criteria.

If I find that someone has already taken over my seat without asking, I start with "excuse me, but this seems to be my seat...." I call the FA if the person doesn't move. I don't explain or negotiate, I just politely insist on getting my seat.
It depends on the situation. We book A-C but sit A-B. If no B shows up, fine, I move over after boarding is done. If B shows up I offer them C. Nobody's ever turned it down although we did have someone who would have preferred A. Since I figure it's virtually certain they'll go for the swap it's easier to simply sit in B and avoid having to move when they show.
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Old Jun 23, 2012, 10:26 pm
  #32  
 
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Originally Posted by apodo77
Was in 2D last night and when I boarded the person from 3A was in my seat with her husband who was in 2F.

I hate window seats and want an aisle (this was a full flex ticket so I got upgraded at purchase).

How do you handle?
Say, "excuse me, I believe you are in my seat" then proceed to show them your boarding pass... Is this really difficult to resolve?
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Old Jun 23, 2012, 10:43 pm
  #33  
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Originally Posted by apodo77
Was in 2D last night and when I boarded the person from 3A was in my seat with her husband who was in 2F.

I hate window seats and want an aisle (this was a full flex ticket so I got upgraded at purchase).

How do you handle?
A curt "out" usually does it. If not, I escilate the matter to the FA. And I have gone beyond the FA on at least two occasions. Once to the FO, and once to a station supervisor.

There is no excusing a seat poacher. Period.

I only switch when the seat offered is better than the one I have, and I verify that it is actually their seat.

Never worry about seeming rude. They are the rude ones and it doesn't matter what they think of you anyhow...you will most likely
never see them again.

Always claim what is rightfully yours. Never let anyone walk over you for their selfish benefit.
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Old Jun 23, 2012, 11:01 pm
  #34  
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Cool

Originally Posted by RRDD
My line always works; "Give me $100 and it's yours."
LOL ^

Hilarious. Hope you don't mind if I steal the line...
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Old Jun 24, 2012, 4:10 am
  #35  
 
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There seems to be consensus here that "It's OK if they ask first, but simply sitting down in the wrong seat is rude".

Is that always the case, though?

Now... if my assigned seat was (say) 12C, and I wanted to sit in 10C to be with my companion, I think it would cause a lot less disruption if I were to sit down in 10C - not settle in, just perch on the edge of it - rather than sit in my assigned seat further back.

That way if the rightful owner of the seat agrees to the swap they can just carry on moving; if they don't agree I can quickly get out and move to 12C without causing much disruption to the flow of people moving down the aisle.

And I would, of course, watch out for the rightful occupant of the seat and - hopefully - speak to them before they had a chance to speak to me!
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Old Jun 24, 2012, 5:11 am
  #36  
 
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I think the way it was done was totally inappropriate. Was travelling last week with my 2 nephews and niece (10, 8 and 7 years); we were not placed together, so I had everyone sit in their assigned seat, and then asked fellow passengers to switch. Everyone was super accommodating, and the kids were happy that we we were able to sit together.

As a general rule, I typically accommodate families with young children and elderly couples. For young couples I accommodate unless the seat that's being offered is horrible(e.g., a middle seat or close to the bathroom).
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Old Jun 24, 2012, 5:14 am
  #37  
 
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Originally Posted by Aviatrix
There seems to be consensus here that "It's OK if they ask first, but simply sitting down in the wrong seat is rude".

Is that always the case, though?

Now... if my assigned seat was (say) 12C, and I wanted to sit in 10C to be with my companion, I think it would cause a lot less disruption if I were to sit down in 10C - not settle in, just perch on the edge of it - rather than sit in my assigned seat further back.

That way if the rightful owner of the seat agrees to the swap they can just carry on moving; if they don't agree I can quickly get out and move to 12C without causing much disruption to the flow of people moving down the aisle.

And I would, of course, watch out for the rightful occupant of the seat and - hopefully - speak to them before they had a chance to speak to me!
I agree with this approach--it indicates that you respect their possession of the seat, while offering the flow advantages you mentioned.
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Old Jun 24, 2012, 8:04 am
  #38  
 
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I was flying from MUC sitting in BC. A woman and a man came to my seat. She stated that I was in her seat, and get out and go back to the cattle car where you belong. She states to the male he just up here to soak up the liquor. I said it must be a double booking, and the FA will sort it out. She demands to see my ticket stub. I tell her I don't have one. She says again get back to the cattle car where you belong. The FA arrives and wants to see my boarding card. I tell her it is with my jacket in the closet. The woman is trying to impress the man with her loud talk. I am having the pre drink saying nothing. She states he just here to soak up the liquor. The FA arrives with my coat and states Mr. Powerlifter I have a seat for you in first class please follow me. I finished my drink got my bag, and stated to the woman you can have your seat now. Funny how some things work out.
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Old Jun 24, 2012, 8:10 am
  #39  
 
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Originally Posted by apodo77
Was in 2D last night and when I boarded the person from 3A was in my seat with her husband who was in 2F.

I hate window seats and want an aisle (this was a full flex ticket so I got upgraded at purchase).

How do you handle?
Same way that I deal with in a theatre: I look at my boarding pass and say something like, "Excuse me, I think you're in my seat."

On a plane, and in a theatre, the person always seems to move without question. The only times I've seen an argument development (never involving me: I've always been only a witness) is on trains.
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Old Jun 24, 2012, 8:27 am
  #40  
 
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Originally Posted by pinworm
A curt "out" usually does it. If not, I escilate the matter to the FA. And I have gone beyond the FA on at least two occasions. Once to the FO, and once to a station supervisor.

There is no excusing a seat poacher. Period.

I only switch when the seat offered is better than the one I have, and I verify that it is actually their seat.

Never worry about seeming rude. They are the rude ones and it doesn't matter what they think of you anyhow...you will most likely
never see them again.

Always claim what is rightfully yours. Never let anyone walk over you for their selfish benefit.
I would say be polite first, as many others have pointed out there's no harm with trying kindness as we all know there's far too little of it these days. You never know when the guy you're an ... to turns around and knocks you out for you being the aggressor (yes I've seen it happen, multiple times). People make mistakes and sometimes as Aviatrix pointed out, it can work better for everyone on board if they wait for you to board while waiting at / near your seat.

On a China Eastern flight I once saw one of their "elites" stand in the J cabin blocking all traffic while asking every pax if they were seated up there so he could trade with them. Apparently he'd been denied an upgrade and had a seat back in coach but didn't want it. All this time though the rest of the pax were queued up outside on the stairs and tarmac in pouring rain while he acted so ignorant. I happily gave him a shove in the back and escorted him to his seat and asked an FA to keep him there unless he had a reason to go back up front. A situation like that calls for your response but aside from that let's be nice to eachother
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Old Jun 24, 2012, 8:36 am
  #41  
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I'm polite in saying that it is my seat - it could be a genuine mistake.

If it turns out it isn't a genuine mistake and they are unwilling to move then I escalate to crew. If crew won't help, I won't sit down until they do (fortunately, never needed to take it that far - planes can't take off with a passenger standing up. Not sure how that would go down in the US - you'd probably end up shot by an Air Marshall )
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Old Jun 24, 2012, 9:56 am
  #42  
 
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Originally Posted by CenterWaters
I was in business class and sitting in the middle seat.

Stupid UA for having middle seats in first class anyway.
Um... Are you sure it was the old lady that was confused? It seems that you didn't even know if you were in Business or First. Maybe you got your seat wrong as well....
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Old Jun 24, 2012, 10:54 am
  #43  
 
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Originally Posted by medic51vrf
Um... Are you sure it was the old lady that was confused? It seems that you didn't even know if you were in Business or First. Maybe you got your seat wrong as well....

???

On UA's 777, business class is 2-4-2, with 2 middle seats. I was stuck in the
middle because business class was completely full. No sane human would
want to be stuck in the middle business class seat, so when she mistakenly
thought I was in the wrong seat, I was more than willing to take her aisle
seat. The only down side was that while my seat was in the flat position, she
landed on my knees while trying to get out.
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Old Jun 24, 2012, 11:07 am
  #44  
 
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Originally Posted by CenterWaters
???

On UA's 777, business class is 2-4-2, with 2 middle seats. I was stuck in the
middle because business class was completely full. No sane human would
want to be stuck in the middle business class seat, so when she mistakenly
thought I was in the wrong seat, I was more than willing to take her aisle
seat. The only down side was that while my seat was in the flat position, she
landed on my knees while trying to get out.
I was refering to (making a joke about) your comment of being in BUSINESS class but UA being stupid for having middle seats in FIRST class.

It seems to me that UA's seat config in F would have no impact on you since you said you were in J.
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Old Jun 25, 2012, 3:41 pm
  #45  
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"Excuse me but I have x seat".

If they ask me to move to another seat I'll size it up and if it's not one I want I'll say "I'm sorry but I don't like x seat because of (reason)". I'm much more likely to switch if someone asks me instead of sits in my seat, that kind of assumptive behavior irks me.
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