Originally Posted by PTravel

In the thirty years or so in which I was a frequent flyer, I never, not once, had a parent (a) ask politely, or (b) offer a comparable or better seat. It's always been phrased as a demand ("You HAVE to change seats so I can sit with my child"), a threat ("If you won't switch, then YOU'LL have to take care of him for the flight"), or a whine ("What am I supposed to do?").

Originally Posted by DutchessPDX

I got one better. I was seated in an aisle E+ seat on a flight very close to the front of E+. Family proceeds to board and woman walks up and asks if I would switch with her husband so the family can sit together. I ask where and it's a window seat 20 rows back and I say, "No, I prefer this seat". She pipes up real loud,

"SO YOU WANT TO SIT NEXT TO MY 13 YO SON!!??"

The inference was very clear...Screw you lady.

So I told her, "I prefer staying in my assigned seat, I'm sure whoever has a seat 20 rows back will be glad to move up front....AWAY FROM YOU!" She stormed off and I never heard any more.

Still galls me to this day.