How do you handle someone sitting in your seat when you board?
#31
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 38,320
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.
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.
#32
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: ANC
Programs: AS MVP, Club 49, Global Entry, National Emerald Club, Hilton Silver
Posts: 1,386
Say, "excuse me, I believe you are in my seat" then proceed to show them your boarding pass... Is this really difficult to resolve?
#33
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,098
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.
#35
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: UK
Posts: 7,560
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!
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!
#36
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 1
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).
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).
#37
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: WAS
Posts: 3,003
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!
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!
#38
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: BWI,IAD,DCA
Programs: UA gold, Hyatt Plat Marriott silver,Hilton Gold, PC Plat., SPG Gold.,Hertz Gold, Global Entry
Posts: 650
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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#39
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,443
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.
#40
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: St. Croix
Programs: AA EXP, UA 1k, SPG Plat, Hilton Gold, CC Gold
Posts: 521
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.
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.
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
#41
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: back to my roots in Scotland!
Programs: Tamsin - what else is there to say?
Posts: 47,843
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 )
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 )
#42
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: MEL, PER, PBO, occasionally ships, oil rigs and other places that no sane human being should ever find themselves
Programs: IHG RA, PC Plat, QF Plat/LTS
Posts: 804
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....
#43
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 273
???
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.
#44
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: MEL, PER, PBO, occasionally ships, oil rigs and other places that no sane human being should ever find themselves
Programs: IHG RA, PC Plat, QF Plat/LTS
Posts: 804
???
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.
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.
It seems to me that UA's seat config in F would have no impact on you since you said you were in J.
#45
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
Programs: AA EXP/MM, DL GM, UA Platinum, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 33,857
"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.
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.