Originally Posted by
halls120
Here’s my favorite attempted seat poaching story.
15 years ago I boarded a Brussels Airlines a330 flight from Togo to Brussels. I had paid for their version of premium economy and an aisle seat.
Right at the end of boarding a gentleman approached me using a crutch and asked me to take the window seat next to where I was sitting. I looked at him and politely declined saying I need aisle access for medical reasons. He didn’t say anything, stored his luggage and then to my utter surprise - not - he folded up his crutch, put it in the overhead and never used it for his many trips to the restroom during our flight.
There was a period where I was walking with a cane. But on level ground, I only needed it for long distances (like going through an airport). I've certainly boarded UA flights with it, folded it up, put it in the bin, and left it there until deplaning. It doesn't mean it's not legitimate.