Seat Swap Request Horror Stories
#751
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Bristol, UK
Programs: Avios
Posts: 2
Interesting topic. I will generally move provided I get an aisle/window seat as I am pretty tall and therefore value my space (Always travel at the back and try for window seats on night flights).
I was really annoyed to hear that on her recent AMS-UIO flight to see me that my elderly mum was asked to move by passengers wanting to sit together... She ended up next to a Korean family who again asked her to move from the window to a middle seat so they could sit together and bless her, she refused. People like to take advantage!
Thankfully the chap she moved for in the first place had the good grace to reject the premium champagne meal I'd ordered for her once it came to her seat!
I was really annoyed to hear that on her recent AMS-UIO flight to see me that my elderly mum was asked to move by passengers wanting to sit together... She ended up next to a Korean family who again asked her to move from the window to a middle seat so they could sit together and bless her, she refused. People like to take advantage!
Thankfully the chap she moved for in the first place had the good grace to reject the premium champagne meal I'd ordered for her once it came to her seat!
#752
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: where the chile is hot
Programs: AA,RR,NW,Delta ,UA,CO
Posts: 41,237
I've had the occasional disgruntled seat poacher sitting next to me, trying to make me sorry I insisted on sitting in my own seat.
Man-spreading into my space? I cross one leg over the other (ankle on opposite knee, keeping the sole of my shoe lined up with my seat space. Never had a crabby poacher-wannabe dedicated enough to encroachment to push his bare or trousered knee against the dirty sole of my shoe for long.
I've had the same sort of person try to dominate the arm rest (and more), making firm bodily contact. That's OK, too. I can bob and bounce to my favorite oldies. I don't know how long I could keep it up because no one has ever maintained contact with my jiggling, bouncing arm/shoulder long enough to wear me out.
Man-spreading into my space? I cross one leg over the other (ankle on opposite knee, keeping the sole of my shoe lined up with my seat space. Never had a crabby poacher-wannabe dedicated enough to encroachment to push his bare or trousered knee against the dirty sole of my shoe for long.
I've had the same sort of person try to dominate the arm rest (and more), making firm bodily contact. That's OK, too. I can bob and bounce to my favorite oldies. I don't know how long I could keep it up because no one has ever maintained contact with my jiggling, bouncing arm/shoulder long enough to wear me out.
#753
Join Date: Sep 2013
Programs: DL PM, 1MM, DL SC, Kimpton Inner Circle
Posts: 2,416
I've had the occasional disgruntled seat poacher sitting next to me, trying to make me sorry I insisted on sitting in my own seat.
Man-spreading into my space? I cross one leg over the other (ankle on opposite knee, keeping the sole of my shoe lined up with my seat space. Never had a crabby poacher-wannabe dedicated enough to encroachment to push his bare or trousered knee against the dirty sole of my shoe for long.
I've had the same sort of person try to dominate the arm rest (and more), making firm bodily contact. That's OK, too. I can bob and bounce to my favorite oldies. I don't know how long I could keep it up because no one has ever maintained contact with my jiggling, bouncing arm/shoulder long enough to wear me out.
Man-spreading into my space? I cross one leg over the other (ankle on opposite knee, keeping the sole of my shoe lined up with my seat space. Never had a crabby poacher-wannabe dedicated enough to encroachment to push his bare or trousered knee against the dirty sole of my shoe for long.
I've had the same sort of person try to dominate the arm rest (and more), making firm bodily contact. That's OK, too. I can bob and bounce to my favorite oldies. I don't know how long I could keep it up because no one has ever maintained contact with my jiggling, bouncing arm/shoulder long enough to wear me out.
#754
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: PDX
Programs: kayaker
Posts: 851
#755
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,808
Disgruntled seat requestors/poachers should be aware that passive aggressive frequent trips to the lav can result in carry on bags under the seat being stomped and/or filled with various staining liquids.
On the other hand, so can the under-seat bags of the rightful owner of the seat. Be careful out there!
On the other hand, so can the under-seat bags of the rightful owner of the seat. Be careful out there!
#756
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: SFO
Programs: AS Gold (OW), SK Silver (*A), UR, MR
Posts: 3,288
I wonder if the fare class, say full fare economy vs deep discount economy, plays a role in a flight attendant's willingness to side with discretion over policy and engage forcefully in a seat swap.
#757
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: PDX
Programs: kayaker
Posts: 851
No way the FAs have the time or the motivation to dig up the manifest and match it to fare paid, at least not on any of the US based carriers.
#758
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Oxford, Mississippi
Programs: Delta Silver thanks to Million Miles; Choice Plat., point scrounger everywhere
Posts: 1,594
I can accept a certain amount of invasion of my space by a middle seat passenger, as much as I hate it, just because it's so hard to sit in such a confined space. But if someone gets too elbowey I will wedge my laptop or some thick flight mags against the armrest and hold it in place with my arm to create a little wall.
#759
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: OSL/IAH/ZRH (time, not preference)
Programs: UA1K, LH GM, AA EXP->GM
Posts: 38,253
While that does happen and is highly inappropriate, women have an equal amount and more creative intrusion rituals. From legs on the cushion, to seating sideways, or clinging to a seat .. I feel that I have experience the gamut of irresponsible territorial marking by this day.
#760
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Traveling the World
Posts: 6,067
I was on a Lufthansa flight back from Frankfurt to San Francisco in Y and a Mother and her baby wanted my bulkhead window and she began to fight and I let the flight attendant handle that one. The flight attendant said that I did not want a crying baby next to me and this was my seat. The Mother was put in her place and then moved and said to me I am a bad person.
So I told the Mother get your baby and yourself off this flight if you think I am a bad person. The Flight attendant told her in a firm manner M'am either you take your assigned seat or you will not be allowed to fly this is an order. So she decided to get off the plane.
The Flight attendant apologized and took extra good care of me bringing me chaampers from First Class and always coming by to fill up my libations and brought me an extra cheese platter from FC.
So I told the Mother get your baby and yourself off this flight if you think I am a bad person. The Flight attendant told her in a firm manner M'am either you take your assigned seat or you will not be allowed to fly this is an order. So she decided to get off the plane.
The Flight attendant apologized and took extra good care of me bringing me chaampers from First Class and always coming by to fill up my libations and brought me an extra cheese platter from FC.
#761
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: YYZ
Programs: ACMM SE100K; *G
Posts: 1,526
#762
Join Date: May 2008
Location: New Jersey
Programs: UA GS 1.7MM, Hyatt Lifetime Glob, Marriott Titanium/Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 1,272
#763
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 630
YEG-YYZ-DCA
In Economy, first row after "first" a woman approaches me (I seat in the aisle, she is on the aisle on the other side of the row).
"Can you switch with my husband? he seats at the last row."
I declined and went to sleep.
On the 2nd leg, YYZ-DCA: I am the last one to board the plane, that women from the first leg, is in front of me. I am booked at Economy, approaching my seat, on the 2-seats next to me, seating the 2 kids of that women, she was assigned to seat in "First" apparently, but was looking to switch with someone so she can seat next to her kids. I accepted and went to seat 1A. Karma, is confirmed a beach.
In Economy, first row after "first" a woman approaches me (I seat in the aisle, she is on the aisle on the other side of the row).
"Can you switch with my husband? he seats at the last row."
I declined and went to sleep.
On the 2nd leg, YYZ-DCA: I am the last one to board the plane, that women from the first leg, is in front of me. I am booked at Economy, approaching my seat, on the 2-seats next to me, seating the 2 kids of that women, she was assigned to seat in "First" apparently, but was looking to switch with someone so she can seat next to her kids. I accepted and went to seat 1A. Karma, is confirmed a beach.
#764
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Traveling the World
Posts: 6,067
I did not say it in a rude tone I was more like a matter of fact if she thought I was a bad person for not giving up my seat and yes I stood my ground that perhaps she should not be flying in my presence.
#765
Join Date: Sep 2013
Programs: DL PM, 1MM, DL SC, Kimpton Inner Circle
Posts: 2,416
If a particular seat is so important to someone that they will get off the plane if they can't have it, then pay up or do whatever is necessary to secure that seat in advance.