Losing Assigned Seats? (Family w/ children, equipment change)
#16
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: SAN
Programs: AA CK, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 839
Trust me, no one, especially other passengers seated next to your minor children, wants you to be separated. I have volunteered, when asked, to change seats so that families can be together. Sounds like the GA could have done more to, at the least, get you a bit closer. Most of your fellow passengers will be reasonable when asked.
#19
#20
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: SE Wisconsin
Programs: AA EXP, Hilton Diamond for Life
Posts: 337
So, since you had 6 seats, and two of your kids are lap children, did you end up with 2 seats going unused?
*edit - just re-read and saw that you have six kids. Thats a lot of miles to earn and spend to get on that flight!
*edit - just re-read and saw that you have six kids. Thats a lot of miles to earn and spend to get on that flight!
#22
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: DCA/IAD
Programs: AA EXP; 1W Emerald; HHonors Diamond; Marriott Gold; UA dirt
Posts: 7,779
Jeebus. Certain agents that I've met hate working certain flights (MCO being the main one, SAN, MIA, and LAX during vacation season) owing to large families. I remember this happening to me several years ago when I was traveling with my two sons to California - one was about 12 and the other 10 at the time. We busted out connection in CLT and got put on another flight which was filled to the gills in coach but moderately empty in first. I had opted not to upgrade owing to the fact that I could only upgrade one child with ease - there were plenty of seats which was frustrating....
Agent tried to shuffle us around but was having issues. Then she noted that I was plat, and asked why I hadn't asked to upgrade. I mentioned that there were three of us and I couldn't upgrade two companions. Agent furrowed her brow, and asked if I still wanted to use some of my stickers. I mentioned yes. She instantly upgraded me and one son with stickers and comped the second upgrade companion. Probably the only time where I've been able to upgrade both kids with only one elite on hand.
Agent tried to shuffle us around but was having issues. Then she noted that I was plat, and asked why I hadn't asked to upgrade. I mentioned that there were three of us and I couldn't upgrade two companions. Agent furrowed her brow, and asked if I still wanted to use some of my stickers. I mentioned yes. She instantly upgraded me and one son with stickers and comped the second upgrade companion. Probably the only time where I've been able to upgrade both kids with only one elite on hand.
#23
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Everywhere and Nowhere
Programs: Global Mercenary
Posts: 193
Tough situation for OP. Been there before with 2 kids and wife all booked in first class and they still managed to bungle the seating. What's even more concerning is how unwilling fellow passengers are to swap seats for the kid's sake. In above scenario, I am sure a stranger could have ended up getting an aisle for window swap and at least put the two oldest kids together. I have found basic courtesy to be dead in most public transports these days. Go ride any subway or city bus and see how often young healthy men get up and offer their seats to the elderly, pregnant, etc. It never happens. What's worse is it ends up making you feel like a fool for doing so.
#24
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
To be very clear, there are no DOT rules or policies relating to "family seating." As others have noted, the COC not only does not guarantee specific seats, it makes clear that assignments are not guaranteed. That said, this was poorly handled by AA as it appears that at least three seats existed together had already been dealt with. At a minimum, that would have left each parent with a lap child and one parent seated in the same row with the 2 younger seated children, leaving open the possibility that the two older children might have been seated alone (but in the same cabin).
On the complaint front, it is important to distinguish between anti-semitic statements and the seating issue. The former is actionable and, I suspect that both AA and DOT will investigate if you make a specific complaint. Omit the entire seating issue other than to note that there was one and that was why you were interacting with the GA, e.g., "while dealing with the GA on a seating issue, he made the following anti-semitic comments....."
On the complaint front, it is important to distinguish between anti-semitic statements and the seating issue. The former is actionable and, I suspect that both AA and DOT will investigate if you make a specific complaint. Omit the entire seating issue other than to note that there was one and that was why you were interacting with the GA, e.g., "while dealing with the GA on a seating issue, he made the following anti-semitic comments....."
#25
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: ORD (formerly SAN)
Programs: Hilton Diamond; IHG Platinum; Bonvoy Gold; AA Platinum Pro and United Premier Silver (DH = AA EXP)
Posts: 1,927
This sounds like a twitter post to me. Or maybe local news agency. You booked seats together for your family, including minors. If AA shuffled seats around due to MAX swaps, then the agent should have tried to help you get seated back together. If the agent's motivation for not helping you is racist, then that needs to be reported. Sitting you 15 rows away from your kids is unacceptable - while it's not ideal that your kids couldn't use the bathroom because the man in the aisle was sleeping, it's better than the million other scenarios that could have happened but luckily did not.
#26
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2004
Location: DFW/DAL
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, AS MVPG, HH Diamond, NCL Platinum Plus, MSC Diamond
Posts: 21,422
Tough situation for OP. Been there before with 2 kids and wife all booked in first class and they still managed to bungle the seating. What's even more concerning is how unwilling fellow passengers are to swap seats for the kid's sake. In above scenario, I am sure a stranger could have ended up getting an aisle for window swap and at least put the two oldest kids together. I have found basic courtesy to be dead in most public transports these days. Go ride any subway or city bus and see how often young healthy men get up and offer their seats to the elderly, pregnant, etc. It never happens. What's worse is it ends up making you feel like a fool for doing so.
#27
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: DAY
Programs: Rapid Rewards, Skymiles, Hilton HHonors, SPG/Marriott Rewards
Posts: 4,898
#30
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Small town near RNO
Programs: Delta 1MM/PM, BAEC GGL, Asiana Diamond Plus(Lifetime), AC *Tangerine
Posts: 888
I don't have a direct email to Mr Parker, there might be one somewhere in the AA forum somewhere.
The mail him suggestion should have been Snail Mail and there's an address on the AA website just make it to attention Doug Parker, CEO.
DFW Airport, TX 75261-9616
Straight from aa.com
The mail him suggestion should have been Snail Mail and there's an address on the AA website just make it to attention Doug Parker, CEO.
Mailing address
P.O. Box 619616DFW Airport, TX 75261-9616
Straight from aa.com