Originally Posted by
fastair
It was full, until the mechanic fixed his original seat, which became both useable and vacant. The OP edited his original post and added a follow up later with this potentially useful information.
Not that it justifies the SW behavior, but original details from one party rarely contain all of the variables. In this case, the extra variable means the seat for which his status enabled him to sit in, was in fact, made available to him. Of course, he was not told this, so crew communication was lacking. Again still no excuse, but the variables of the situation now are different.
I did add that tidbit as a bit more information for those following the thread that might get a kick out of it.
As the other other poster above points out she
said my seat was fixed but I have no reason to believe that she knew that. She was simply reaching at that point. After all if she knew my seat was fixed than you'd have to think she was at least somewhat aware of the facts surrounding my arrival in the exit row (that I was placed there by the GA). She obviously wasn't based on the way she came after me.
All that being said I don't care if the seat WAS fixed. There was no way for me to know that and having been placed in the exit row seat by the GA I wouldn't feel obligated to move back if I did. The GA told me my seat was out of service and instructed me to move. Making me pick up my stuff a 2nd time and move back would have been another dumb, time consuming episode.
In any case it's always been my understanding that the GA handles the plane and seating while at the gate. We always hear FA's can't upgrade you, can't change your seat yada yada....you always have to see the GA to get this done officially. The bottom line is that this FA was a grumpy old lady with a power trip. Her actions were unexplainable and indefensible and I'm glad this happened to me and not some novice traveler that might have given in to her bullying and paid up for no reason. Perhaps my objections and subsequent reports to UA management will see that she doesn't pull this stunt again.