Originally Posted by
PTravel
I would expect the parent to say something like, "I'm really sorry, but we're traveling on an emergency and can't wait for a later flight -- would you mind switching with us?"
Can you switch to a later flight once already on the plane? I don't know if that's even allowed; if you attempt to do so it might result in the entire plane being evacuated and searched.
Originally Posted by
PTravel
Bonus points if they explain the emergency. As I've said several times now, I'm always willing to help out in an emergency, even to the point of going above and beyond.
That's very nice of you, but I don't see how it makes any difference to you. The inconvenience to you is still the same regardless of the purpose of the family's trip. And the difficulty that the family faces by being separated is still the same regardless of the purpose of their trip.
Can I ask you another question? Question: Does it matter to you if the family was separated for reasons outside their control? For example, if the dad tells you "I booked seats for all of us together months ago, but when we got to the gate we found they had separated us." Would that affect your decision?