I almost started a new thread on this when I first got home a couple weeks ago, but got lazy. Seeing this thread rekindled my memories so here goes...

A couple weeks ago I traveled JAX-SNA via ORD. I got to witness firsthand some nice poaching on 3 of the 4 flights.

JAX-ORD: Soccer Mom with 3 kids in tow. I was sitting 4A on a CRJ. Mom had 3A, B, and D but not C. Of course she filled the whole row with her offspring anyway. Turns out that her teenage son had 4C and she couldn't bear letting him sit 4 feet away for the 2 hour flight. When the real 3C arrived and inquired with the son about his seat Mom insisted that it was "OK because they were all flying together and that he could sit in the son's seat in 4C." I could tell the px was irritated but begrudgingly took 4C anyway. Here's the clincher...Mom stuffed her huge duffel bag underneath her seat eating up much of my legroom. She also instructed all three kids to do the same. Even though I didn't speak up about it I had no qualms over using her bag as a nice footrest!^

ORD-SNA: I was sitting in 5D (window) in first class. Two NRSA's board and take 4 A-B. A minute or two later a gentleman approaches them and apparently one of the NRSA's was in his seat (4B). No problem here...the NRSA kindly explains the situation and offers the gentleman her ticketed seat...1B. He seemed fine taking it, but I wonder if he regretted it after sitting down and noticing the difference in legroom.

ORD-JAX: This time I am sitting in 4C. 3A and 4A/B are occupied by family with the most cracked out, ADD, screaming child EVER (I could dedicate an entire thread to this kid but thats another story). 3B is an older businessman who is not happy to be dealing with "Damian the Omen". First class is pretty open so he inquires with one of the FA's about upgrading. Now, I didn't hear what the px said, but I clearly heard the FA's reply: "Well, I'm sorry but unfortunately there are about 10-12 other Premier Executives on this flight and if we let you upgrade then it wouldn't be fair to them".

So evidently this guy tried to use his elite muscle to acquire a free upgrade...no dice. The FA told him that he was welcome to move to any open pair of Y seats as there were a few. So this guy moves to an open pair behind me (5C/D) and seems to be happy. Just as the door is about to be closed a last minute px comes blasting in and takes his seat...right next to the relocated businessman. Apparently this made him feel "crowded" because he decides he wants to switch again...BACK TO HIS ORIGINAL SEAT! He gets up and the FA urges him to "take any open seat please" as we are now pushing back. "Any open seat you say!!!"....low and behold he grabs 1A...

...30 seconds later the FA returns and firmly ushers him back to 3B! It was quite the circus I can assure you...I felt bad for him, but at the same time I was a little put-off by his "pushiness".

Anyhow, thats my little tale.

Craig