How do you handle someone sitting in your seat when you board?
Jun 25, 2012, 4:40 pm
#46
Join Date: Apr 2012
Programs: US CP, HH Gold
Posts: 85
95% of the time people just accidently sat in the wrong seat.
4% of the time it's a couple or family that have a genuine reason to ask politely if you wouldn't mind swapping so they can sit next to their kids.
1% of the time you gotta tell some dill weed that you booked the seat you wanted and aren't willing to sit in the middle seat in the back of the plane just because they didn't feel like enduring that torture themselves.
Incidently this happened to me this morning, GA asked me as I was boarding if i was ok taking another window seat in the back of the plane so a little girl could ride with her mum. In the past strangers were nice enough to swap my girlfriend seats because she had never flown before and was pretty nervous. It was a slight inconvience but at the end of the day i still had a window seat where I could nap propped up on the window and maybe a little karma to help me out if I can ever talk my girl into another airplane ride.
4% of the time it's a couple or family that have a genuine reason to ask politely if you wouldn't mind swapping so they can sit next to their kids.
1% of the time you gotta tell some dill weed that you booked the seat you wanted and aren't willing to sit in the middle seat in the back of the plane just because they didn't feel like enduring that torture themselves.
Incidently this happened to me this morning, GA asked me as I was boarding if i was ok taking another window seat in the back of the plane so a little girl could ride with her mum. In the past strangers were nice enough to swap my girlfriend seats because she had never flown before and was pretty nervous. It was a slight inconvience but at the end of the day i still had a window seat where I could nap propped up on the window and maybe a little karma to help me out if I can ever talk my girl into another airplane ride.
Jun 25, 2012, 4:57 pm
#47
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Calgary
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 771
95% of the time people just accidently sat in the wrong seat.
4% of the time it's a couple or family that have a genuine reason to ask politely if you wouldn't mind swapping so they can sit next to their kids.
1% of the time you gotta tell some dill weed that you booked the seat you wanted and aren't willing to sit in the middle seat in the back of the plane just because they didn't feel like enduring that torture themselves.
4% of the time it's a couple or family that have a genuine reason to ask politely if you wouldn't mind swapping so they can sit next to their kids.
1% of the time you gotta tell some dill weed that you booked the seat you wanted and aren't willing to sit in the middle seat in the back of the plane just because they didn't feel like enduring that torture themselves.
Most cases I have encountered are genuine errors. On one occasion, I think one lady was just "trying her luck".
A gentle but firm " I think you must be in the wrong seat" is all that is needed.
Jun 25, 2012, 6:14 pm
#48
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
I normally jump up onto the nearest vacant seat, wave my platinum frequent flyer card in the air and loudly yell "Captain there's a kettle in my seat again!"
Jun 25, 2012, 9:50 pm
#50
Join Date: Jan 2012
Programs: Alaska MVPG; SWA Preferred A; Hilton Honors Diamond...
Posts: 71
San Diego to Maui, but I don't jump
in and try to snake someone's seat
That's just being obnoxious! Jmo!
Jun 25, 2012, 9:52 pm
#51
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,399
"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.
Jun 25, 2012, 10:02 pm
#52
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,399
95% of the time people just accidently sat in the wrong seat.
4% of the time it's a couple or family that have a genuine reason to ask politely if you wouldn't mind swapping so they can sit next to their kids.
1% of the time you gotta tell some dill weed that you booked the seat you wanted and aren't willing to sit in the middle seat in the back of the plane just because they didn't feel like enduring that torture themselves.
Incidently this happened to me this morning, GA asked me as I was boarding if i was ok taking another window seat in the back of the plane so a little girl could ride with her mum. In the past strangers were nice enough to swap my girlfriend seats because she had never flown before and was pretty nervous. It was a slight inconvience but at the end of the day i still had a window seat where I could nap propped up on the window and maybe a little karma to help me out if I can ever talk my girl into another airplane ride.
4% of the time it's a couple or family that have a genuine reason to ask politely if you wouldn't mind swapping so they can sit next to their kids.
1% of the time you gotta tell some dill weed that you booked the seat you wanted and aren't willing to sit in the middle seat in the back of the plane just because they didn't feel like enduring that torture themselves.
Incidently this happened to me this morning, GA asked me as I was boarding if i was ok taking another window seat in the back of the plane so a little girl could ride with her mum. In the past strangers were nice enough to swap my girlfriend seats because she had never flown before and was pretty nervous. It was a slight inconvience but at the end of the day i still had a window seat where I could nap propped up on the window and maybe a little karma to help me out if I can ever talk my girl into another airplane ride.
On my most recent case, I had the impression that the FA had encouraged a kettle family to settle into my very prime business class seat for a twelve hour TPAC. I had booked what would be regarded as the best seat on the plane, except for the cockpit. They moved when I made it clear that I intended to evict them regardless of any pleadings or reasoning why they wanted/needed my seat. There were lots of other configurations not involving my seat that would have enabled them to sit together and in fact, they had seats together but just wanted mine! From the timing, I assume they either were upgraded at the gate or were nonrevs.
Jun 25, 2012, 10:02 pm
#53
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Atherton, CA
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP; Owner, Green Bay Packers
Posts: 21,690
Jun 26, 2012, 4:09 am
#54
Join Date: Apr 2008
Programs: QFF, Krisflyer, Velocity
Posts: 87
I normally sit in the seat next to them and proceed to let out a monster burrito-powered rumbling fart. I mean a real doozy, if it doesn't rate on the richter scale and the plants in the terminal don't wilt, it wasn't big enough.
I then turn to them and say "If you can't handle an entire flight like that, you may want to return to your allocated seat."
100% success rate.
It'll probably even work against that guy a few months back who claimed not allowing the seat poacher to sit there was rude and selfish.
I then turn to them and say "If you can't handle an entire flight like that, you may want to return to your allocated seat."
100% success rate.
It'll probably even work against that guy a few months back who claimed not allowing the seat poacher to sit there was rude and selfish.
Jun 26, 2012, 6:38 am
#55
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: South Windsor, Connecticut
Programs: UA
Posts: 358
When flying from HKG to EWR in Feb., I boarded to find someone in my 35C seat. I said "I think you're in my seat. I have 35C." She said she has 35D. I pointed out where her seat was and she moved. The bonus was that 35 A and B remained empty. Three seats to stretch out.
Jun 26, 2012, 9:27 am
#56
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: From ORK, live LCY
Programs: BA Silver, EI Silver, HH Gold, BW Gold, ABP, Seigneur des Horaires des Mucci
Posts: 14,209
If it happens to me, I recheck my boarding pass to ensure I haven't screwed up (which I have a few times) and then politely say something like "excuse me, I think that's my seat". In the unlikely event that it is contested by the seat occupant, I escalate to the nearest cabin crew member. Haven't got beyond that yet.
Jun 26, 2012, 9:33 am
#57
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,098
"maybe a little karma to help me out if I can ever talk my girl into another airplane ride."
The events are not linked, and karma is a superstitious concept that has no basis in fact. It is this kind of thinking that will allow you to be taken advantage of. Giving up a seat today has no influence on future seat issues on future flights.
Had I been in your situation, I would have made the GA ask anyone else in that back row to move up to your row so mom and kid could sit together in the back rather than be moved myself.
The events are not linked, and karma is a superstitious concept that has no basis in fact. It is this kind of thinking that will allow you to be taken advantage of. Giving up a seat today has no influence on future seat issues on future flights.
Had I been in your situation, I would have made the GA ask anyone else in that back row to move up to your row so mom and kid could sit together in the back rather than be moved myself.
Jun 26, 2012, 10:08 am
#58
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 13,573
I generally assume there has been a genuine mistake - e.g. someone mistaking the seat numbers (they aren't always aligned well) or not understanding A is window, C is aisle etc. I simply say 'Oh hi, is this 4c'? Or something along those lines, as it gives the other person a chance to not look stupid (and, gives them a chance to not make you look stupid!) 'oh is it, oops, I thought it was 5c' or 'ah yup, I'm in 4b - I was just hoping no one was in c' or 'yup, I wanted to use the washroom when the aisle cleared so was just waiting for a chance' etc. before you accuse them of poaching a seat.
If it is like for like, and they are sitting there by accident (5c instead of 4c say) and are settled (stuff in seat back pouch etc) I will likely just switch. If they ask nicely if they can sit there because of a child, spouse etc. and the seat is a genuine like for like (ie not 30 rows back!) then I will probably switch. If they are in any way rude, or I am not willing to switch and they don't like the answer then I calmly ask the FA to assist.
If it is like for like, and they are sitting there by accident (5c instead of 4c say) and are settled (stuff in seat back pouch etc) I will likely just switch. If they ask nicely if they can sit there because of a child, spouse etc. and the seat is a genuine like for like (ie not 30 rows back!) then I will probably switch. If they are in any way rude, or I am not willing to switch and they don't like the answer then I calmly ask the FA to assist.
Jun 26, 2012, 10:50 am
#59
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: UA, Hertz Gold, AA Gold, DL Silver
Posts: 825
"maybe a little karma to help me out if I can ever talk my girl into another airplane ride."
The events are not linked, and karma is a superstitious concept that has no basis in fact. It is this kind of thinking that will allow you to be taken advantage of. Giving up a seat today has no influence on future seat issues on future flights.
Had I been in your situation, I would have made the GA ask anyone else in that back row to move up to your row so mom and kid could sit together in the back rather than be moved myself.
The events are not linked, and karma is a superstitious concept that has no basis in fact. It is this kind of thinking that will allow you to be taken advantage of. Giving up a seat today has no influence on future seat issues on future flights.
Had I been in your situation, I would have made the GA ask anyone else in that back row to move up to your row so mom and kid could sit together in the back rather than be moved myself.
Jun 26, 2012, 11:36 am
#60
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Dallas, TX
Programs: AAdvantage Lifetime Gold/Some Years Platinum
Posts: 995
I have a confession to make. I poached a seat yesterday. 
And I did it in exactly the manner being discussed here - I just sat in the seat I wanted, rather than my assigned seat. When the rightful owner showed up, I showed him my boarding pass and hoped he would just take my seat instead. He didn't speak much English (if any), and he did, in fact, just accept my seat, so it all worked out.
Now, for the rest of the story...
I got a last minute undesired op-up that separated me from my traveling companion. I figured I would just take my original seat and offer the first class seat to whoever got my old seat.
As it turns out, the new occupant was a member of the Italian Olympic volleyball team. As I was explaining how he could have either his assigned seat or my spot in the front of the bus, he didn't understand a word, but could plainly see that the seat I was gesturing to would fit his 6'10" frame quite a bit better than where I was.
His teammates congratulated him on his luck. His coach went up front to (unsuccessfully) try to sell him on the concept that the coach should be the one in first class. Finally, I saw him enjoying free beers on multiple occasions. So, it really DID all work out.
---
I gotta say, though, if "rightful owner" had opened up with
or
That free first class seat would be immediately off the table. I would have silently "slunk off" to my seat in the front of the bus, and let you have your precious coach seat. My interest in sitting with my companion would have been trumped by my need to make sure someone being a d!ck is not rewarded in any way. Belligerence is NOT always the best policy.
And I did it in exactly the manner being discussed here - I just sat in the seat I wanted, rather than my assigned seat. When the rightful owner showed up, I showed him my boarding pass and hoped he would just take my seat instead. He didn't speak much English (if any), and he did, in fact, just accept my seat, so it all worked out.Now, for the rest of the story...
I got a last minute undesired op-up that separated me from my traveling companion. I figured I would just take my original seat and offer the first class seat to whoever got my old seat.
As it turns out, the new occupant was a member of the Italian Olympic volleyball team. As I was explaining how he could have either his assigned seat or my spot in the front of the bus, he didn't understand a word, but could plainly see that the seat I was gesturing to would fit his 6'10" frame quite a bit better than where I was.
His teammates congratulated him on his luck. His coach went up front to (unsuccessfully) try to sell him on the concept that the coach should be the one in first class. Finally, I saw him enjoying free beers on multiple occasions. So, it really DID all work out.
---
I gotta say, though, if "rightful owner" had opened up with
or
That free first class seat would be immediately off the table. I would have silently "slunk off" to my seat in the front of the bus, and let you have your precious coach seat. My interest in sitting with my companion would have been trumped by my need to make sure someone being a d!ck is not rewarded in any way. Belligerence is NOT always the best policy.