Originally Posted by
KabAir
I get what you’re saying. But don’t forget that saying “no” is really difficult and awkward for some people, and so if you’re offering an inferior trade you’re putting them in a bad position. If I successfully offered a 5 year old to trade my shiny quarter for their $20 bill, you wouldn’t excuse me if I point out they could have said no. There’s a power differential and I victimized them.
And while you’re dealing with adults and not a 5 year old, there are still people who really struggle with this stuff. And when you offer them something inferior and they feel they can’t say no, because they aren’t neurotypical, or because they have an anxiety or trauma, or because they’re easily embarrassed and fear it will become a scene - you’re victimizing them. I’m sure it’s not intended, but it’s still the case.
It’s not right to put someone in the position of being offered something inferior and having to say no. It being more convenient for you to ask them if they’re the first on board doesn’t change that it’s not right. We should be looking out for people. Not putting them in a difficult position.
I think we were kind of referring to different scenarios here — I meant offering like for like, but taking a first step on the swap for practicality, and of course being gracious if someone declines. I'm aware of how an ask can implicitly pressure, but if it's done conscientiously I see no problem with it.
Of course, that does also get to our relative views of row 4 vs row 2 on the 752; I don't find any of the differences there particularly meaningful for my flight experience.