The strange psychology of other pax: All other seats are empty, why sit next to me?
Jul 20, 2016, 6:54 am
#46
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Peoria
Programs: Southwest, Best Western Gold, La Quinta, Dollar
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When that happens to me, the second car that arrives is invariably a beater, full of dents and rust.
Jul 20, 2016, 7:10 am
#47
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Michigan
Posts: 328
It does seem to vary by area. Where I live now the beater car parking near me rarely happens but in my old area it was pretty common
Jul 21, 2016, 10:35 am
#48
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, AA, DL
Posts: 7,418
I've seen people gamble by taking the middle seat of a 3-person middle section row on a 777. I assume they are hoping no one takes either aisle seat as a result and they get to keep all three seats.
I've never figured that strategy is worth it - if the seats start filling in (e.g., unassigned before) you're cooked, and if they don't you can probably get the row anyway.
Jul 21, 2016, 10:38 am
#49
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, AA, DL
Posts: 7,418
Clearly the automated software is the culprit in the OP's case. What I find more interesting is the psychology of seat selection on a fairly empty flight as the deadline for check in approaches.
I had a flight on a 777 in February which was looking very empty. There were far more blocks of 3 seats than there were passengers showing as having seat assignments at T-24. I switched to an empty row and went to bed. The following morning, I woke to find the same situation but someone else in my row, so I switched to a different empty row. En route to the airport, the same again and even after the check in cut off - I finally had to switch at the gate just before boarding. Why do people do it?
I had a flight on a 777 in February which was looking very empty. There were far more blocks of 3 seats than there were passengers showing as having seat assignments at T-24. I switched to an empty row and went to bed. The following morning, I woke to find the same situation but someone else in my row, so I switched to a different empty row. En route to the airport, the same again and even after the check in cut off - I finally had to switch at the gate just before boarding. Why do people do it?
Jul 21, 2016, 10:39 am
#50
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, AA, DL
Posts: 7,418
When I'm on a crowded bus or train and we get to a main station or stop where most people get off, there's often a person who remains sitting next to me.
If I happen to be on the outside I move to an empty pair of seats straight away, but if I'm on the inside it seems that other people would rather keep me cramped in than move.
If I happen to be on the outside I move to an empty pair of seats straight away, but if I'm on the inside it seems that other people would rather keep me cramped in than move.
Jul 21, 2016, 5:05 pm
#51
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 600
If the middle seat does get taken, I usually offer my aisle and the passenger takes it every time.
Jul 21, 2016, 10:42 pm
#52
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: SJC/SFO
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My wife and I often sit aisle-window, too, but if someone chooses to sit between us... we let them! As we figure it we spend plenty of time together; we don't need to be touching during a flight.
Jul 22, 2016, 12:58 pm
#53
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 600
Jul 24, 2016, 7:28 pm
#54
Join Date: May 2005
Location: SFO
Programs: MM / UA 1K
Posts: 473
I'm at the airport having just checked in. It's an international flight (SIN - SFO) with literally 10 pax on it. I had chosen seat 1B as 1A was empty.
When I was checking in, the agent asked me if I'd like to change my seat as 1A was occupied. I told her that I was surprised since the flight was nearly empty. She told me that he had requested that seat at check in even though she'd told him there was already somebody in 1B...
She advised me that "he's very big so you'll probably want to change seats". Awesome...
When I was checking in, the agent asked me if I'd like to change my seat as 1A was occupied. I told her that I was surprised since the flight was nearly empty. She told me that he had requested that seat at check in even though she'd told him there was already somebody in 1B...
She advised me that "he's very big so you'll probably want to change seats". Awesome...
Jul 24, 2016, 8:16 pm
#55
Join Date: Jan 2003
Programs: American Airlines Platinum, National Executive
Posts: 3,790
Isn't this like at the gym: "with the row of vacant treadmills, why did you take the one next to me?"
Maybe the seat is particularly comfortable (not just due to pitch), there is a need to be in front/in back, someone else will be sitting across from the person, etc.
Annoying, but some people just don't care as much about personal space as others.
Maybe the seat is particularly comfortable (not just due to pitch), there is a need to be in front/in back, someone else will be sitting across from the person, etc.
Annoying, but some people just don't care as much about personal space as others.
Jul 24, 2016, 8:41 pm
#56
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 3,790
Had this happen on a 3/4 empty AA MD80 flight. First class and Main Cabin Extra were filled, but only 3-4 rows of the regular economy cabin were filled. I sat down, a woman sat down right next to me, and the FA came over and said we can all have our own row. The woman didn't budge so I did a few rows up, lol.
Jul 25, 2016, 1:19 pm
#57
Join Date: Sep 2015
Programs: 1 thousand
Posts: 2,112
I'm at the airport having just checked in. It's an international flight (SIN - SFO) with literally 10 pax on it. I had chosen seat 1B as 1A was empty.
When I was checking in, the agent asked me if I'd like to change my seat as 1A was occupied. I told her that I was surprised since the flight was nearly empty. She told me that he had requested that seat at check in even though she'd told him there was already somebody in 1B...
She advised me that "he's very big so you'll probably want to change seats". Awesome...
When I was checking in, the agent asked me if I'd like to change my seat as 1A was occupied. I told her that I was surprised since the flight was nearly empty. She told me that he had requested that seat at check in even though she'd told him there was already somebody in 1B...
She advised me that "he's very big so you'll probably want to change seats". Awesome...
Jul 25, 2016, 1:29 pm
#58
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Back in the old days before self seat selections, I ran into this constantly as "the computer" would sardine people together so that there would be room for couples, groups, and families traveling together who booked later. Often I'd get on a flight and the last half of the plane would be full and the front half empty so everyone just shifted after the door closed. Maybe "the computer" selected the seat. Let us know how it turns out.
Jul 25, 2016, 1:38 pm
#59
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Jul 25, 2016, 5:44 pm
#60
Join Date: May 2005
Location: SFO
Programs: MM / UA 1K
Posts: 473
Anyway, talked to the gate agents who asked me if I'd mind to move to row 7 (no thanks). And then the pax in 1A asked me if would like to take another seat (no thanks). Ultimately it seems he took 7A.
And I totally get the footwell thing since I'm 6'3" and wear a size 12 shoe
Last edited by mongobot; Jul 25, 2016 at 5:50 pm