dcpdxtrans

On 772s, the lavatories with baby changing stations are in the back. When walking through E- on a recent long haul, I thought to myself : How do people do this on 10+hour flights?! In fact, I specifically remember thinking that there was absolutely no leg room. So, I'd take middle E+ any day.

arollins

I don't understand why people post on situations where they clearly had complete control of the outcome, yet they give up in light of the situation and then complaint because they are suffering the consequences. You gave the seat, plain and simple. You chose to do so, accept it. There is nothing wrong in asking for BP. People pay for E+, either cash outright ticket purchase or by status, it diminished the value if anyone can take them for nothing.

Kacee

It was inevitable I suppose that we would eventually get a caustic "blame the OP" post. Which is totally and completely out of line. OP did not complain at all, but raised an interesting question which has led to some spirited discussion.

There's one (or more) in every crowd.

btw, here's what OP actually said (bold mine):

Silver Fox

Erm, because it is a forum and was interested in what others might do? As evidenced by "Thoughts on E+ Squatting on long haul fights?". Now, wind your neck in, and see if you can help someone get you off that horse.

porciuscato

Thank you!! If this happens to one of us now, we're more likely to respond in a considered fashion and not have regrets later. Thanks to the OP for bringing it up.

z28lt1

While I love to have an empty seat next to me, I have no rights to that seat any more than the person moving to it. I've paid for one E+ seat, and what United does with the one next to it isn't my choice, no matter what the seatmap shows. If United chooses to not enforce their policies requiring people to stay in their assigned cabin or seat, I don't think I'm going to do it for them (as much as I wouldn't want the person there). That said, if the seat is supposed to be open, the armrest is all mine, regardless of who squats.

MSPeconomist

Some people would consider not saying anything about the person moving into the seat next to you but then your grabbing the entire armrest throughout the flight to be a passive aggressive move. In fact, some would say that airplane etiquette says that the person in the middle gets the armrests that are between the seats.

andyh64000

I once had this happen except it was e+ to e+. A family of 4 boarded last. Mom dad and 17ish year old son took the 3 seats in front of me and 20ish year old daughter took the aisle while I had the window. Mom saw that sis and I had an open middle and told son to sit there so they could have more room. I asked to see son's boarding pass and then directed him to the seat between mom and dad.

Kacee

Some would indeed

It is my personal view that the person in the middle does get both armrests. I'm really not interested in rubbing elbows, and between the two, it's easier for the person in the window/aisle to shift a little to the other side.

bmwe92fan

To me - "PA moves" represent a significant portion of "behavior" I witness on flights today. I remember once my seatmates displeasure at my glass positioning on the armrest between my seats - I don't know why but I could tell he was genuinely annoyed - but didn't say anything...

I let it go for a while but then decided to pull out the extra drink holder and put my drink there - I could see the tension drain from his body LOL. People really get wound up about things now - and I think that the general stress level on planes has gone way up in the past few years - it almost feels like people are just about ready to blow nearly all the time these days and about some really strange things - like someone looking out their window (interesting thread not taking a shot at the OP on that as it seems it was quite over the top)...

Flying Machine

I am of the fashion to speak up for myself. If I happen to have an open seat next to me I consider it valuable real estate. Thus I feel inclined to question someone whom is not in the boarding process if it is their seat or not. Never had an isssue before. Once on a flight from EZE to IAD, I had the whole middle row to myself (all 3 seats) A Husband (and wife) whom had the 2 seats next to the window decided that the husband should have the middle aisle seat for himself. I questioned him if this was his seat. He ignored me. I simply asked the FA to question the man (she did and asked him to take his own assigned seat) I slept well that evening (in all 3 seats) Safe Travels..

azzurro

I never paid much mind to someone elses drink (either on F armrest or Y seatmates tray table)...until I had the displeasure of having one spilled on me. Now I am consciously aware and will position my arm to block a potential spill from occurring in my direction again, especailly when dressed for business. Ridiculous, I know but - fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice...


The whole armrest positioning thing - has there been a thread dedicated to this in the past? I try to be aware about leaving room for my seatmates arm or elbow, but I imagine that sometimes I may forget and inadvertently take too much of the shared real estate. Once I thought I was being conscientious but the passenger next to me thought I was armrest hoarding and proceeded to addres me in a brash manner about my current use and his desired use of that shared real estate. It took everything I could muster to remain calm and ignore him the rest of the flight... when all he had to do was ask nicely - as I really was trying to share.

Doc Savage

Could it have been, oh, I don't know, a worry that you would spill your drink on him?

A little introspection is sometimes helpful.

bmwe92fan

Yes of course - which is why I moved it. My point was about the PA nature of things - if you can't muster up the courage to say something why get so upset? No one seems to want to say anything (being "polite", don't want to make a scene, whatever) - but it brings so many people right up to the brink it seems these days... Wouldn't it be easier to just say something?

DaviddesJ

That depends on who you are and the culture in which you live and were raised.