Deadheading FA asks to trade my Aisle for her Middle
Dec 19, 2022, 9:39 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: YVR
Programs: AC 50K, Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 44
Deadheading FA asks to trade my Aisle for her Middle
I was on AC127 YYZ-YVR (A330) last night, and got upgraded from Y to PY just before boarding. I got my new paper boarding pass from the GA, boarded, and was seated in 15G (aisle).
As boarding continued, a deadheading FA in uniform walked past my seat as she was seated in Y. Minutes later she reappeared next to me in the aisle, and I asked her if she was seated next to me (the empty middle seat). Apparently she had been upgraded to PY, and was in the middle seat next to me, but she then asked if I would trade my aisle seat for her middle seat.
I've been asked to give up my aisle seat numerous times over the past 30 years, but it's usually a FOTSG situation. Anyone experienced this before?
As boarding continued, a deadheading FA in uniform walked past my seat as she was seated in Y. Minutes later she reappeared next to me in the aisle, and I asked her if she was seated next to me (the empty middle seat). Apparently she had been upgraded to PY, and was in the middle seat next to me, but she then asked if I would trade my aisle seat for her middle seat.
I've been asked to give up my aisle seat numerous times over the past 30 years, but it's usually a FOTSG situation. Anyone experienced this before?
Dec 19, 2022, 9:41 am
#2
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Toronto
Programs: AP SE, Bonvoy Plat, HH Gold, EC Executive, Hertz Pres Circle, Avis Pres Club
Posts: 228
I was on AC127 YYZ-YVR (A330) last night, and got upgraded from Y to PY just before boarding. I got my new paper boarding pass from the GA, boarded, and was seated in 15G (aisle).
As boarding continued, a deadheading FA in uniform walked past my seat as she was seated in Y. Minutes later she reappeared next to me in the aisle, and I asked her if she was seated next to me (the empty middle seat). Apparently she had been upgraded to PY, and was in the middle seat next to me, but she then asked if I would trade my aisle seat for her middle seat.
I've been asked to give up my aisle seat numerous times over the past 30 years, but it's usually a FOTSG situation. Anyone experienced this before?
As boarding continued, a deadheading FA in uniform walked past my seat as she was seated in Y. Minutes later she reappeared next to me in the aisle, and I asked her if she was seated next to me (the empty middle seat). Apparently she had been upgraded to PY, and was in the middle seat next to me, but she then asked if I would trade my aisle seat for her middle seat.
I've been asked to give up my aisle seat numerous times over the past 30 years, but it's usually a FOTSG situation. Anyone experienced this before?
Dec 19, 2022, 10:49 am
#5
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: YOW
Programs: AC SE, FOTSG Platinum
Posts: 5,862
I just had a nearly-identical conversation with someone earlier this week, in which a deadheading staff member asked a paying customer to swap their aisle for the staffer's middle, and got pretty huffy when the passenger politely declined.
In that case the staff member was male, so there are at least two different people trying this approach.
In that case the staff member was male, so there are at least two different people trying this approach.
Dec 19, 2022, 11:08 am
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2010
Programs: AA
Posts: 14,944
On some airlines (and I don't pretend to know AC's rules on this), an employee flying on benefits asking a passenger to switch seats would be enough to get them in trouble, maybe even lose their flight benefits.
Dec 19, 2022, 11:09 am
#9
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: YYZ
Programs: TK *G
Posts: 3,126
Imagine how these FAs would handle seat swap requests by passengers.
Dec 19, 2022, 11:17 am
#10
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Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, BA Gold, SQ Silver, Bonvoy Tit LTG, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond
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I'd definitely write in, but this was not a "flight benefit".
Dec 19, 2022, 11:23 am
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: YVR
Programs: AC 50K, Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 44
Glad to hear my impressions weren't off base in this situation. It's always a little unsettling when someone asks me to give up my aisle for their middle, but I was unprepared for an employee making the same request.
I believe the employee was new, as during meal service, they weren't able to extract the tray table from the arm rest and required my assistance. She even made a comment along the lines of "...I should be the one providing assistance and not you...".
During the flight I considered writing in, but I had a change of heart this morning. Your comments are making me reconsider.
I believe the employee was new, as during meal service, they weren't able to extract the tray table from the arm rest and required my assistance. She even made a comment along the lines of "...I should be the one providing assistance and not you...".
During the flight I considered writing in, but I had a change of heart this morning. Your comments are making me reconsider.
I agree. Given all the staff shortage and what not, it seems like lots of position are filled by people who are not qualified. I don’t expect these people to learn or improve themselves, but if enough people write in, hopefully AC can do something to put these people in line.
Imagine how these FAs would handle seat swap requests by passengers.
Imagine how these FAs would handle seat swap requests by passengers.
Last edited by Adam Smith; Dec 19, 2022 at 5:17 pm Reason: Merge consecutive posts by same user
Dec 19, 2022, 11:38 am
#13
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,638
Indeed one time we've lost on the "aisle and window and hope the middle seat is free" gambit the middle seat was an offduty FA. And when we asked to swap for the aisle or window she refused and I got the distinct impression she was afraid she could get in trouble if she swapped even if it was the passenger that was asking. That was not on AC so I wouldn't assume the rules are identical but it seems quite off.
Dec 19, 2022, 11:42 am
#14
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Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
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FWIW, I've had a DH FA proactively offer to swap so a friend and I can sit together (this was a 320 or something, so there were no middle seats).
It's also possible the rules are quite different for DH ("be reasonable") and using a pass ("do not under any circumstances ask anyone to swap"), but this is one area where I'm more familiar with OAL policies.
It's also possible the rules are quite different for DH ("be reasonable") and using a pass ("do not under any circumstances ask anyone to swap"), but this is one area where I'm more familiar with OAL policies.
Dec 19, 2022, 11:53 am
#15
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC SEMM / HH Diamond
Posts: 3,217
Indeed one time we've lost on the "aisle and window and hope the middle seat is free" gambit the middle seat was an offduty FA. And when we asked to swap for the aisle or window she refused and I got the distinct impression she was afraid she could get in trouble if she swapped even if it was the passenger that was asking. That was not on AC so I wouldn't assume the rules are identical but it seems quite off.
... and I'm just a regular flying joe. You'd think that any staff with any brains or integrity would be even more sensitive about the perception.
SMH