Moved all of E+ to the back due to"weight balance"
May 3, 2016, 6:18 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: SFO
Programs: UA gold, FB emeritus
Posts: 71
Moved all of E+ to the back due to"weight balance"
I'm on board UA1572 bos-sfo. Just before boarding we were told that everyone in rows 6 thru 12 (all of E+) will have to move to the back of the plane. I am now in 15C - a no-recline aisle seat in a full row.
Can I ask for any compensation for this? Did this happen to anyone else?
Can I ask for any compensation for this? Did this happen to anyone else?
May 3, 2016, 6:27 pm
#2
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: ORD
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Platinum/LT Platinum, Hilton Gold
Posts: 5,594
This happens frequently when regional jets are half full, not as often on mainline flights but it does happen. If you paid for E+, you can ask for a refund. Otherwise, why would you expect compensation? You paid for Y, you sat in Y.
Tough luck, but run of the mill for those of us who fly RJs a lot.
Tough luck, but run of the mill for those of us who fly RJs a lot.
May 3, 2016, 6:30 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: SFO
Programs: UA gold, FB emeritus
Posts: 71
This happens frequently when regional jets are half full, not as often on mainline flights but it does happen. If you paid for E+, you can ask for a refund. Otherwise, why would you expect compensation? You paid for Y, you sat in Y.
Tough luck, but run of the mill for those of us who fly RJs a lot.
Tough luck, but run of the mill for those of us who fly RJs a lot.
May 3, 2016, 6:33 pm
#4
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: ORD
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Platinum/LT Platinum, Hilton Gold
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May 3, 2016, 6:43 pm
#5
Join Date: May 2011
Location: California
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May 3, 2016, 6:54 pm
#6
Original Poster
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Location: SFO
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May 3, 2016, 7:45 pm
#7
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May 3, 2016, 8:22 pm
#8
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 1,620
I had this happen to me and I did ask if I could move back once airborne and was told by the FA no,you must stay where you are.
I requested a refund and was DENIED, with UA claiming that I was assigned an E+ seat and boarded with an E+ seat and they (whomever) were not notified of any sort of on-board seat reassignment occurring.
I initiated a charge back with AMEX and UA never responded to AMEX and I got my money back.
Hopefully, UA will do the right thing by you and not require you to take the route that I did.
I requested a refund and was DENIED, with UA claiming that I was assigned an E+ seat and boarded with an E+ seat and they (whomever) were not notified of any sort of on-board seat reassignment occurring.
I initiated a charge back with AMEX and UA never responded to AMEX and I got my money back.
Hopefully, UA will do the right thing by you and not require you to take the route that I did.
May 3, 2016, 8:49 pm
#9
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That sounds wrong. I, too, have always been told (and have heard others told) that I could move back to my 
riginal seat after we reached cruising altitude.
riginal seat after we reached cruising altitude.
May 3, 2016, 10:57 pm
#10
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: East Coast, USA
Posts: 1,032
Happened to me twice when I was up front (F or E+).
Once it was on Q400, FA asking people near the front (no F at the time) to move back. I stayed, but my seat mate moved, and the FA didn't say anything. Actually made for a comfy short flight.
Another time I was in F and the plane supposedly had a W&B issue. Before I boarded, they gave me a new BP to another plane in F (with different connection point), which I gladly took.
Once it was on Q400, FA asking people near the front (no F at the time) to move back. I stayed, but my seat mate moved, and the FA didn't say anything. Actually made for a comfy short flight.
Another time I was in F and the plane supposedly had a W&B issue. Before I boarded, they gave me a new BP to another plane in F (with different connection point), which I gladly took.
May 3, 2016, 11:02 pm
#11
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: san antonio, texas
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Posts: 1,586
Interesting pertinent observation about the 900, although perhaps surprisingly, I believe the tail strike frequency per flight hour is higher in the 800 than the 900 Boeings. Maybe the pilots are just more conscious of the extra 8 ft.
May 4, 2016, 8:13 am
#12
Join Date: Jan 2010
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 362
I find it so hard to believe that passenger positions have any real bearing on balance. These planes weigh many many tons, they have all the baggage in the cargo - how can a few people moving a few yards back or forward here or there make any difference whatsoever? I'd be happy to be corrected on this and given the science, but it seems a little odd...
May 4, 2016, 9:43 am
#14
Join Date: Oct 2009
Programs: All of them, UA-Plat, 1MM*G
Posts: 881
Given that this was a 737-900, my guess is that there was a mistake in loading the cargo holds -- and stuff that was supposed to be put in the back hold was put into the front hold. As a result, they had a choice: either wait while cargo was taken out of the front hold and put into the back one, or tell the PAX that they had to move back. Given that doing the first choice would cost UA time and money, you can guess which option they chose.
May 4, 2016, 9:57 am
#15
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: DAY/CMH
Programs: UA MileagePlus
Posts: 2,474
I find it so hard to believe that passenger positions have any real bearing on balance. These planes weigh many many tons, they have all the baggage in the cargo - how can a few people moving a few yards back or forward here or there make any difference whatsoever? I'd be happy to be corrected on this and given the science, but it seems a little odd...