Seat Poaching in F on AA. On the increase?
Oct 14, 2009, 10:56 am
#77
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If I board the flight and discover someone else has already settled into my assigned seat (coat hung, items unpacked into the seat back, drink in hand), it's a 99% chance that I will ask for my assigned seat and not blink at any excuse they give me for why I should swap with them.
If someone is nice enough to ASK first, I will switch assuming ALL of the following - their seat is NOT on the bulkhead, their seat is not a window seat next to someone I deem to be the type to make it difficult for me to get up during the flight, I am not already seated across the aisle from a seatmate, and the new seat will not affect my FEBO order on a flight I plan to eat on (which is 10% of flights or less).
If someone is nice enough to ASK first, I will switch assuming ALL of the following - their seat is NOT on the bulkhead, their seat is not a window seat next to someone I deem to be the type to make it difficult for me to get up during the flight, I am not already seated across the aisle from a seatmate, and the new seat will not affect my FEBO order on a flight I plan to eat on (which is 10% of flights or less).
Oct 14, 2009, 11:29 am
#78
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If I board the flight and discover someone else has already settled into my assigned seat (coat hung, items unpacked into the seat back, drink in hand), it's a 99% chance that I will ask for my assigned seat and not blink at any excuse they give me for why I should swap with them.
If someone is nice enough to ASK first, I will switch assuming ALL of the following - their seat is NOT on the bulkhead, their seat is not a window seat next to someone I deem to be the type to make it difficult for me to get up during the flight, I am not already seated across the aisle from a seatmate, and the new seat will not affect my FEBO order on a flight I plan to eat on (which is 10% of flights or less).
If someone is nice enough to ASK first, I will switch assuming ALL of the following - their seat is NOT on the bulkhead, their seat is not a window seat next to someone I deem to be the type to make it difficult for me to get up during the flight, I am not already seated across the aisle from a seatmate, and the new seat will not affect my FEBO order on a flight I plan to eat on (which is 10% of flights or less).
_________________________
*I'm a straight guy. If you fit a different demographic, feel free to substitute whatever works for you.
Oct 14, 2009, 11:32 am
#79
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Oct 14, 2009, 11:37 am
#80
Moderator: Coupon Connection & S.P.A.M
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Oct 14, 2009, 4:52 pm
#81
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: EYW - USA
Posts: 774
Since I normally travel alone, I get asked a lot by FAs to switch seats for one reason or another, usually to accomodate another passenger who wishes to sit next to a travel partner. I rarely refuse the request.
Upon boarding, if someone is already in my assigned seat, I will have a crew member check on it with gate personnel before confronting a possible poacher. However, when it is clear someone has poached my window seat and left me with their ...... aisle seat, I WILL, if after a brief discussion find that they aren't lost and that the seat squat wasn't an honest error, let them have a low-pitched ear full regarding their conversion of the seat that I had clearly paid for, and they had not.
I remember the days when they would wait for the plane to take off and then scurry up to a vacant first class seat from the back like the little cheese snatching thieves that they are.
Here is an interesting question though - if the seat is technically free (flying on a voucher or using miles, whathaveyou) is it considered theft if you, after take off, move to a seat that happens to be available in a higher class of service cabin? I mean, you already aren't paying for the ticket. . . technically, and I've had that one tossed in my face before. Caught me off guard. Yes I know a freebie on miles is an earned freebie but technically speaking . . . .
Right now it seems all airlines are bleeding revenue and can't afford to give away a premium seat to a poacher, it is better to let the seat go empty. I wonder how far they would get if they, after catching a class of service seat poacher, just popping their credit card they used to purchase their original ticket for the difference in fare. I mean, imagine the credit card bill shock if you got caught poaching a seat say, ORD/NRT or heaven forbid, LAX/SYD, those last minute fares can all but buy a small condo!
I just wonder if the airlines could get away with it. Pay the last minute fare difference or spend a few days in the crossbar hotel for grand theft? Hmmmmm!
Upon boarding, if someone is already in my assigned seat, I will have a crew member check on it with gate personnel before confronting a possible poacher. However, when it is clear someone has poached my window seat and left me with their ...... aisle seat, I WILL, if after a brief discussion find that they aren't lost and that the seat squat wasn't an honest error, let them have a low-pitched ear full regarding their conversion of the seat that I had clearly paid for, and they had not.
I remember the days when they would wait for the plane to take off and then scurry up to a vacant first class seat from the back like the little cheese snatching thieves that they are.
Here is an interesting question though - if the seat is technically free (flying on a voucher or using miles, whathaveyou) is it considered theft if you, after take off, move to a seat that happens to be available in a higher class of service cabin? I mean, you already aren't paying for the ticket. . . technically, and I've had that one tossed in my face before. Caught me off guard. Yes I know a freebie on miles is an earned freebie but technically speaking . . . .
Right now it seems all airlines are bleeding revenue and can't afford to give away a premium seat to a poacher, it is better to let the seat go empty. I wonder how far they would get if they, after catching a class of service seat poacher, just popping their credit card they used to purchase their original ticket for the difference in fare. I mean, imagine the credit card bill shock if you got caught poaching a seat say, ORD/NRT or heaven forbid, LAX/SYD, those last minute fares can all but buy a small condo!
I just wonder if the airlines could get away with it. Pay the last minute fare difference or spend a few days in the crossbar hotel for grand theft? Hmmmmm!
Oct 14, 2009, 4:57 pm
#82
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Cheers.
Oct 14, 2009, 5:00 pm
#83
Moderator: Coupon Connection & S.P.A.M
Join Date: May 2000
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I wonder how far they would get if they, after catching a class of service seat poacher, just popping their credit card they used to purchase their original ticket for the difference in fare. I mean, imagine the credit card bill shock if you got caught poaching a seat say, ORD/NRT or heaven forbid, LAX/SYD, those last minute fares can all but buy a small condo!
I just wonder if the airlines could get away with it. Pay the last minute fare difference or spend a few days in the crossbar hotel for grand theft? Hmmmmm!
I just wonder if the airlines could get away with it. Pay the last minute fare difference or spend a few days in the crossbar hotel for grand theft? Hmmmmm!
Oct 14, 2009, 5:06 pm
#84
Join Date: May 2006
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 1,137
... This is around the time I sucked down scotch number four (and I dont drink scotch).
In all seriousness, the people here on FT have usually honed their flying manners and know the difference between overbearing/annoying and friendly. Walking around the boarding area starting conversations with people who are clearly only thinking about the fact that their flight is 45min late and they should have eaten (if in coach) or stayed in the AC (if in paid F/member).
In all seriousness, the people here on FT have usually honed their flying manners and know the difference between overbearing/annoying and friendly. Walking around the boarding area starting conversations with people who are clearly only thinking about the fact that their flight is 45min late and they should have eaten (if in coach) or stayed in the AC (if in paid F/member).
but I'll make a point to avoid conversing with strange guys in sunglasses guzzling scotch.
Oct 14, 2009, 5:09 pm
#85
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Oct 14, 2009, 5:16 pm
#86
Join Date: May 2006
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 1,137
Exactly why I always chat* (*UK chat up pun goes here maybe?) with the guy in the seat next to me -- who is to say that he's not Mr. Right SocietyFlyGuy . And if Mr. Right is an EXP on AA, even better.
Oct 14, 2009, 5:20 pm
#87
Join Date: Aug 2009
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I've met some pretty cool people at the airport and on the plane. Always should take the opportunity to at least say "Hi" to the person next to you. ^
Oct 14, 2009, 5:36 pm
#89
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Oct 14, 2009, 7:31 pm
#90
Join Date: Mar 2007
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Posts: 3,182
.Oh, and as as a better description of the person in question, have you seen Planes, Trains & Automobiles? Remember the rental car agent? Very accurate description in many respects.