The woes of seat 36E today
Jul 30, 23, 12:31 am
#1
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Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Los Angeles
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Posts: 12,726
The woes of seat 36E today
I am mostly a United flyer. I was ticketed in paid business with my husband and toddler twins today to fly via EWR to LAX.
but the flight into Newark was severely delayed, and United endorsed us over to Alaska. They were not able to get us into first class. In fact, we had the last rows of economy on the A321.
Yes, we were THAT family who asked very kindly if others might move to accommodate us, as we could not have our four year olds, sitting in center seats on their own.
Yes, we were the family that those on FT would think, “ tsk tsk, they should have chosen their seats earlier, rather than being cavalier and asking others to move.”
in any event, we settled in. It has been a long time since I’ve been this far back in the plane. The person on the aisle was spilling over into my seat the entire flight.
But what really got to me was the family in the very back row. There was a father with two kids. The kids were the loudest most annoying kids I could imagine. I’m not talking about babies or toddlers, they must’ve been nine or 10 years old. And the father refused to listen to his video using the headphone. When the flight attendant finally confronted him, he said “the engines are making noise, what’s the difference?”
I was floored that he behaved this way.
When the flight finally got to LAX, I was amazed in how long it took to get off because it was such a long plane.
yes, I’m spoiled!
but the flight into Newark was severely delayed, and United endorsed us over to Alaska. They were not able to get us into first class. In fact, we had the last rows of economy on the A321.
Yes, we were THAT family who asked very kindly if others might move to accommodate us, as we could not have our four year olds, sitting in center seats on their own.
Yes, we were the family that those on FT would think, “ tsk tsk, they should have chosen their seats earlier, rather than being cavalier and asking others to move.”
in any event, we settled in. It has been a long time since I’ve been this far back in the plane. The person on the aisle was spilling over into my seat the entire flight.
But what really got to me was the family in the very back row. There was a father with two kids. The kids were the loudest most annoying kids I could imagine. I’m not talking about babies or toddlers, they must’ve been nine or 10 years old. And the father refused to listen to his video using the headphone. When the flight attendant finally confronted him, he said “the engines are making noise, what’s the difference?”
I was floored that he behaved this way.
When the flight finally got to LAX, I was amazed in how long it took to get off because it was such a long plane.
yes, I’m spoiled!
Last edited by zrs70; Aug 2, 23 at 3:14 pm
Jul 30, 23, 9:41 am
#3
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: SAN
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To make matters worse, the annoying passengers had a very high chance of being Saver Fare pax. The last few rows is where they generally end up. So you had non-frequent fliers paying bargain basement fares.
On the First Class issue... the downside to aggressive upgrading of elites into First is that availability for IRROPS is essentially zero.
On the First Class issue... the downside to aggressive upgrading of elites into First is that availability for IRROPS is essentially zero.
Jul 30, 23, 9:46 am
#4
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To make matters worse, the annoying passengers had a very high chance of being Saver Fare pax. The last few rows is where they generally end up. So you had non-frequent fliers paying bargain basement fares.
On the First Class issue... the downside to aggressive upgrading of elites into First is that availability for IRROPS is essentially zero.
On the First Class issue... the downside to aggressive upgrading of elites into First is that availability for IRROPS is essentially zero.
On the issue of upgrades, as an AS elite I would not be thrilled if AS held upgrades to accommodate UA “refugees”.
But you are very correct that in general IRROPS pax even from the same airline will unlikely get a good seat when accommodated on the day of departure. Not sure what the right answer is. Perhaps some sort of dynamic upgrade/seat assignment window based on expected IRROPS needs?
Jul 30, 23, 12:26 pm
#7
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: PDX
Programs: AS MVP Gold 100K
Posts: 2,965
Gate agent should have done some proactive seat swapping to accommodate you sitting with your kids, or at least would/should have assuming they were asked.
Otherwise yeah, been there done that. Your first error was flying out of Newark.
Otherwise yeah, been there done that. Your first error was flying out of Newark.
Jul 30, 23, 1:25 pm
#9
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: On a plane or a beach
Programs: Yes
Posts: 2,969
Originally Posted by AKLifetimeFlyer;[url=tel:35457085
35457085]United screws up.
Alaska gets you there.
Your issue should be with UA, not AS.
Alaska gets you there.
Your issue should be with UA, not AS.
Last edited by anteater; Jul 30, 23 at 1:57 pm
Jul 30, 23, 1:53 pm
#10
Join Date: May 2012
Location: DCA, lived MCI, SEA/PDX,BUF (born/raised)
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Posts: 8,213
I am mostly a United flyer. I was ticketed in paid business with my husband and toddler twins today to fly via EWR to LAX.
but the flight into Newark was severely delayed, and United endorsed us over to Alaska. They were not able to get us into first class. In fact, we had the last rows of economy on the A321.
Yes, we were ThAT family who asked very kindly give others might move to accommodate us, as we could not have our four year olds, sitting in center seats on their own.
Yes, we were the family that those on FT would think, tsk tsk, they should have chosen their seats earlier, rather than being cavalier and asking others to move.
in any event, we settled in. It has been a long time since Ive been this far back in the plane. The person on the aisle was spilling over into my seat the entire flight.
But what really got to me was the family in the very back row. There was a father with two kids. The kids were the loudest most annoying kids I could imagine. Im not talking about babies or toddlers, they mustve been nine or 10 years old. And the father refused to listen to his video using the headphone. When the flight attendant finally confronted him, he said the engines are making noise, whats the difference?
I was floored that he behaved this way.
When the flight finally got to LAX, I was in all it how long it took to get off because it was such a long plane.
yes, Im spoiled!
but the flight into Newark was severely delayed, and United endorsed us over to Alaska. They were not able to get us into first class. In fact, we had the last rows of economy on the A321.
Yes, we were ThAT family who asked very kindly give others might move to accommodate us, as we could not have our four year olds, sitting in center seats on their own.
Yes, we were the family that those on FT would think, tsk tsk, they should have chosen their seats earlier, rather than being cavalier and asking others to move.
in any event, we settled in. It has been a long time since Ive been this far back in the plane. The person on the aisle was spilling over into my seat the entire flight.
But what really got to me was the family in the very back row. There was a father with two kids. The kids were the loudest most annoying kids I could imagine. Im not talking about babies or toddlers, they mustve been nine or 10 years old. And the father refused to listen to his video using the headphone. When the flight attendant finally confronted him, he said the engines are making noise, whats the difference?
I was floored that he behaved this way.
When the flight finally got to LAX, I was in all it how long it took to get off because it was such a long plane.
yes, Im spoiled!
many in the back are saver fares. Not FF who tok thr lower cost airfare.
you are expecting people on a XC flight to give up a row/ aisle for a middle seat? Its not happening. Nowa dsys msny of these seats cost extra to non status members.
thr gate agent could have done some things to accommodate you dining together like offering upgraded sests to ststus thrn opening up connected seats. . But once on the planeno.
Jul 30, 23, 1:55 pm
#11
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Jul 30, 23, 3:13 pm
#13
Join Date: Oct 2022
Location: SFO
Programs: AS100k, DL Diamond, MarriottAmb, FlyingBlueSilver
Posts: 357
Yes, we were ThAT family who asked very kindly give others might move to accommodate us, as we could not have our four year olds, sitting in center seats on their own.
Yes, we were the family that those on FT would think, tsk tsk, they should have chosen their seats earlier, rather than being cavalier and asking others to move.
I am guessing you had Polaris too as the scheduled booking only adds salt to the wounds I am sure. Hopefully for you United does a decent make good of some kind.
Jul 31, 23, 7:13 pm
#15
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Portland, Oregon
Programs: Hilton Gold, Marriott Silver, Alaska MVP Gold
Posts: 2,332
Back of the plane is awful. Sometimes it works that way....
The guy playing his video without his headet - that is colossal BS. And he needed to be shut down. I see it all the time that these people are playing their video with no care of who is around them. What the heck is up with this? I don;t understand it.
The guy playing his video without his headet - that is colossal BS. And he needed to be shut down. I see it all the time that these people are playing their video with no care of who is around them. What the heck is up with this? I don;t understand it.
