How do you handle someone sitting in your seat when you board?
#586
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,808
And I have witnessed it in poaching cases I have NOT been involved in. But most of the time the FA will make the poacher move. It really depends on the FA..but don't be afraid to kick it higher and request the GA, Purser, or flight crew.
#587
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Motown
Programs: DL, WN, AA, IHG Diamond, Hertz 5*
Posts: 3,399
Earlier this year when I boarded a DL flight, someone was sitting in my pre-assigned seat. It was a father with a child and woman in the adjoining seats. The flight attendant immediately offered to find me another seat, so must have been waiting for me to show up. I ended up in an exit row aisle just a couple rows behind my original seat, so really didn't have anything to complain about.
#588
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Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: ORD
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 16,899
I saw an extreme example today. UA domestic first.
Couple is split into 1A and 2F. Instead of waiting a minute or 2 2F just plopped down in 1B. Then when the real 1B appeared the self reassigner ignore the whole thing, even when the FA started asking to see boarding passes. Just sat there.
Couple is split into 1A and 2F. Instead of waiting a minute or 2 2F just plopped down in 1B. Then when the real 1B appeared the self reassigner ignore the whole thing, even when the FA started asking to see boarding passes. Just sat there.
#589
I saw an extreme example today. UA domestic first.
Couple is split into 1A and 2F. Instead of waiting a minute or 2 2F just plopped down in 1B. Then when the real 1B appeared the self reassigner ignore the whole thing, even when the FA started asking to see boarding passes. Just sat there.
Couple is split into 1A and 2F. Instead of waiting a minute or 2 2F just plopped down in 1B. Then when the real 1B appeared the self reassigner ignore the whole thing, even when the FA started asking to see boarding passes. Just sat there.
#590
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Virginia City Highlands
Programs: Nothing anymore after 20 years
Posts: 6,887
OK, I think we can agree that asking someone to move so mother and child can sit together is fine and reasonable example.
I was more interested to see the cases like this:
So have you ever had/witnessed the situation when someone was moved from his/her assigned seat due to 'status, age, appearance/dress, or nationality' of the poacher?
I was more interested to see the cases like this:
So have you ever had/witnessed the situation when someone was moved from his/her assigned seat due to 'status, age, appearance/dress, or nationality' of the poacher?
Last edited by invisible; Jun 24, 2016 at 12:16 am
#591
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Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: ORD
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 16,899
I was a couple rows back, but it looks like the FA (who was very good)
1. grabbed the pax list
2. Figured out that 1A and the currently empty 2F had the same last name.
3. Approached the person in 1B and asked if he was originally in 2F.
4. Getting an affirmative she just asked the original 1B if he'd sit in 2F. (Better seat anyway.)
5. He agreed, problem sorted.
1. grabbed the pax list
2. Figured out that 1A and the currently empty 2F had the same last name.
3. Approached the person in 1B and asked if he was originally in 2F.
4. Getting an affirmative she just asked the original 1B if he'd sit in 2F. (Better seat anyway.)
5. He agreed, problem sorted.
#592
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Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,808
#593
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: SFO
Programs: AS Gold (OW), SK Silver (*A), UR, MR
Posts: 3,259
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.
#594
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First experience with this in awhile:
Boarded an AA A-321 from DFW-PHX with a BP for 14A. I boarded a little late (with Group 1) and found a woman in 14C with two children in 14B and 14A. I said I had a BP for 14A and she produced BPs for 14B, 14C and 15C. She said "oh you can just sit in 15C". I said that I wanted a window and she said quite rudely, "what do you expect me to do? LEAVE MY TODDLERS?!". At that point I took 15C and as soon as the flight attendant came by, brought the situation to his attention.
The woman claimed the gate agent told her she and her children were all together, which may be true but in that case she clearly wasn't reading her boarding passes. The flight attendant asked a few people and eventually got the woman in 15A to swap with me so I still got my window, albeit it one row farther back. To his credit, the f/a also offered both me and the woman who switched with me free drinks and free snacks.
Still an annoying situation, as there were young children involved getting the f/a involved instead of demanding my original seat seemed the better solution.
Boarded an AA A-321 from DFW-PHX with a BP for 14A. I boarded a little late (with Group 1) and found a woman in 14C with two children in 14B and 14A. I said I had a BP for 14A and she produced BPs for 14B, 14C and 15C. She said "oh you can just sit in 15C". I said that I wanted a window and she said quite rudely, "what do you expect me to do? LEAVE MY TODDLERS?!". At that point I took 15C and as soon as the flight attendant came by, brought the situation to his attention.
The woman claimed the gate agent told her she and her children were all together, which may be true but in that case she clearly wasn't reading her boarding passes. The flight attendant asked a few people and eventually got the woman in 15A to swap with me so I still got my window, albeit it one row farther back. To his credit, the f/a also offered both me and the woman who switched with me free drinks and free snacks.
Still an annoying situation, as there were young children involved getting the f/a involved instead of demanding my original seat seemed the better solution.
#595
Join Date: Oct 2017
Programs: AAdvantage
Posts: 3
Is it THAT difficult sitting in your assigned seat?
Just got out of airport and to hotel. Flew PHL-LAX. I paid the $89 fee to sit in the aisle seat in the exit row (didn't get an upgrade). So I get to my aisle seat and there is a lady already plopped down sitting in it. I put my bags in the over head and very politely say "I think you are in my seat maam". Her response "they gave me the middle seat, and I can't sit in the middle". Then she ignores me. The boarding line is now at a standstill and backed up. I have to move to the seat row across from me to let people pass, my ... pressed firmly against the seated passengers face in that row. I press the stewardess dinger button above about 10x, FA comes over. I explain the situation. FA to lady in my seat "You need to take your assigned seat". Lady responds "I'm not moving". By now the entire plane is watching this fiasco. The gate agent comes on board and tells the lady if she doesn't take her assigned seat, she will be removed from the plane for noncompliance with staff. Finally she moves.
I mean the nerve. I paid $89 and she stole my seat.
I wonder if I go down to the local Benz dealer if I can have a free car? How would that work?
I mean the nerve. I paid $89 and she stole my seat.
I wonder if I go down to the local Benz dealer if I can have a free car? How would that work?
#596
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Just got out of airport and to hotel. Flew PHL-LAX. I paid the $89 fee to sit in the aisle seat in the exit row (didn't get an upgrade). So I get to my aisle seat and there is a lady already plopped down sitting in it. I put my bags in the over head and very politely say "I think you are in my seat maam". Her response "they gave me the middle seat, and I can't sit in the middle". Then she ignores me. The boarding line is now at a standstill and backed up. I have to move to the seat row across from me to let people pass, my ... pressed firmly against the seated passengers face in that row. I press the stewardess dinger button above about 10x, FA comes over. I explain the situation. FA to lady in my seat "You need to take your assigned seat". Lady responds "I'm not moving". By now the entire plane is watching this fiasco. The gate agent comes on board and tells the lady if she doesn't take her assigned seat, she will be removed from the plane for noncompliance with staff. Finally she moves.
I mean the nerve. I paid $89 and she stole my seat.
I wonder if I go down to the local Benz dealer if I can have a free car? How would that work?
I mean the nerve. I paid $89 and she stole my seat.
I wonder if I go down to the local Benz dealer if I can have a free car? How would that work?
You handled it correctly, by not backing down. There are huge threads about seat poachers on FT. No real need to start a new one.
#598
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: K+K
Programs: *G
Posts: 4,850
my gf is non-confrontational, and she's had her seat poached and she'll just acquiesce. makes me mad just hearing about it.
although admittedly, once or twice in my life, ive accidentally sat in the wrong seat unknowingly since i get a brainfart and confuse the aisle/window lettering, or even wrong side of the plane.
although admittedly, once or twice in my life, ive accidentally sat in the wrong seat unknowingly since i get a brainfart and confuse the aisle/window lettering, or even wrong side of the plane.
#599
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Location: Bregenz, Austria
Programs: AA, BAEC, Alaska, Flying Blue, United, IHG, Hilton
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This is serious cheek. If you "can't sit in the middle", book - and PAY FOR (!!!) - the seat that you want (like you did).
I am seriously unhappy with anything but an aisle seat on any flight above about 2-3 hours. Therefore, I get on the airline's website and book one, paying for it if I have to. If an aisle is not available, I will upgrade or take another flight.
Nothing grinds my gears on flights more than entitled wotsits, who think they have more right to my assigned seat than I do.
Kudos to you for standing your ground, and kudos to the FA and GA for backing you up.
I am seriously unhappy with anything but an aisle seat on any flight above about 2-3 hours. Therefore, I get on the airline's website and book one, paying for it if I have to. If an aisle is not available, I will upgrade or take another flight.
Nothing grinds my gears on flights more than entitled wotsits, who think they have more right to my assigned seat than I do.
Kudos to you for standing your ground, and kudos to the FA and GA for backing you up.
#600
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 2,813
I'm glad that this worked out the way it should. You, the flight attendant, and the gate agent handled it well. I felt my blood pressure rising as I was reading your post, fearing that somebody would back down and the poacher would get their seat.