I've been in this situation and its partly my own fault. On a CO flight a few years ago I was sitting in First and the attendant asked me if I would mind moving because an elderly couple were seated apart. One look at the little old man & his portable oxygen tank & I agreed.

Before push back, but after the doors were closed, the agent asked me if I would move for another set of paxs. (Sure, the 22 year old traveling alone has nothing better to do) As it was still an aisle and in First, I said ok, but my eyes were rolling. After I settled in, she didn't even bother to come up to me, she just asked from the front of the aisle if I'd move again. She smiled and made some comment about musical chairs. Everyone was waiting to see what I would do & I said fine.

After I settled in, she had the nerve to glance my way again, but before she could open her mouth, I said (loud enough for everyone to hear) I wasn't getting up one more time and that if the paxs didn't like their seat arrangements they could deboard and try another flight. Someone actually murmered about my being inconsiderate!

I moved three times & that was enough, it wasn't like we were flying to NRT. Paxs will ask. I made the choice to move. What I didn't like was the attendant taking me for granted.

Granted, in the last 10 years, I have only flown with another 5 times. I have the ability to get through a flight alone. Others can as well.

Once, on a 12 hour flight to Amman, an attendant made a general announcement that there was a mother and infant who had been seated in smoking and she needed to move the baby. I gave up my seat for 2 reasons. There aren't many children in smoking and I had compassion for the infant who probably didn't want to be trapped on the airplane for 12 hours in the first place.

I was traveling with someone and after take off she gave up her seat & came back to where I was seated. After 20 minutes she started complaining that "I" put her in that position because the smoke was bothering her. My response was that I never told her to get up and that it was her own insecurity and inability to amuse herself for 12 hours that got her there.

That was the last time I gave up my seat and unless its for the infirmed or to get away from screaming brats, I'll never do it again. People should select their seat assignments at the time of booking AND get to the airport EARLY to insure it. If one can't handle being away from their traveling companion for a few hours, they have bigger issues.

[This message has been edited by KiraNarise (edited 02-27-2001).]