henkybaby

Computer moved pax due to eq change (knowing that row 2 is unsuitable)
Gate agent looks at screen to find reason and sees 'eq change'
Does not know the oxygen mask situation / thing because nobody can know everything about everything (except cws ) so simply tells the pax what (s)he sees on the screen.
So no lies or stupidity or anything...

Can we move on, or do I have to call my armed escorts ?

Oxon Flyer

I think if you did a search and seen how many of our esteemed posters (some indeed from this very thread) have ranted about being bumped out of their carefully pre-selected seat, you'll find your answer.

Not sure of the age of the OPs son, but for parents the view out of the window is an important part of the 'keep the kids occupied' strategy, and it's a bit of a downer when the promised "we can watch all the planes taxi !" view turns into a big slab of wing.

BerksFlyer

There really is no need to shout.

Rexy52

I can't see how flying in the same seats in Row 9 vs Row 2 on a 40 minute flight causes that much incremental stress, compared with the general stress involved in travelling with two small children.

simons1

I think this is the reality. Generally customers respond better when a full explanation is given - in most cases there will be a reason for the change so better to just be honest rather than hide behind the generic "operational reasons" line.

orbitmic

We have had different posts about captains' privileges and/or lack of on this forum in the past. I think it really depends on individual personalities too with many being very modest in their expectations. Another time, on a day with some cancellations at JFK, "the captain in front of you have just taken the last two seats in F" was what we were told when needing to be rebooked and ending up in J instead (not the end of the world). In truth, I did not mind vastly but did find it mildly irritating/inelegant considering the desk could have checked no further rebooking was due first.

MichaelBaku

It's a 40 minute flight. What real difference did it make?

jcm9000

CIHY, is it really necessary to have to explain everything to passengers? I'm all for being open, but this does seem quite obscure! You are been moved as an aircraft was changed that had different extra air masks in different rows just in case the proverbial hits the fan. Eeerrrmmmm. 20 questions time. I think i'd prefer operational reasons! Aircraft are complicated beasts and i think most have forgotten that. Im glad to get seated and land at the other end, kids or not. Sorry op, i sort of get your frustation here as i like certain seats and rows, but given the now very obscure explanation i hope you understand it! Sometimes, just go with the flow. Ps, i have never been seat shifted...

Littlegirl

No, because the ground staff told him there was an aircraft change and that may be why row 2 was no longer OK for the infant to be in.
As mentioned by myself and another staff member, some of our airbuses have the extra masks in every row, the ex BMI ones but the normal BA ones, only have the extra mask in every other alternate row. So sitting in row 2 on the original aircraft may have been fine but when the aircraft changed, it them maybe was not.

As I also explained, sometimes it is due to trim purposes that people get moved, particularly on flights that are not full, but again often the Captain, knowing where the hold bags are loaded by then, then says that the trim will be alright and then allows people to sit in these rows.

I can't tell which of these two scenarios is correct one but one thing I do know is that no one would move a passenger just to annoy them and no one would move a passenger on a domestic flight to put a staff passenger in their seat. Staff are often at the very back because they get the last available seats that have not been taken by passengers.

HIDDY

There was a BA captain travelling on his own seated quite a way back on our GLA-LHR shuttle a couple of years ago. Not only that, he was in a middle seat as well.

AmaaiZeg

Good luck flying Easyjet with kids. Just got back from a short stay in Belgium. Easyjet the only one flying Lgw Bru. Booked speedy boarding.
Speedy checkin ? Tick
Speedy exit ? Tick
Speedy boarding? You're having a laugh.
At Lgw got bussed to the plane. Had to wait at least 15 mins on the bus outside the plane while they were cleaning, unloading lugggage, loading luggage... Why did we get bussed so early?
At Bru, were told inbound plane is delayed. Eventually told to start boarding, haha, after showing boarding pass , had to wait another 15 min on the ramp to the plane????
Poor kids having to endure this.

gcuk

I'm sure the disadvantaged kids I work with would happily 'endure' that for a short stay in Brussels

LifeontheBeach

I strongly disagree about the first part. Airline employees on the ground lie many times and BA employees are no exception. I support your vision for incorporating new technology to better inform passengers.

TravellingSalesman

Yes, one day such futuristic technology as data bases and email, maybe even text messaging will make their way into BA's day to day operations.

BlueThroughCrimp

I think it's the age of information that we live in.
I work in a similar industry, and the Twitter accounts of service users are frequently asking what has caused the problem/delay.

I feel all they need to know is there is a problem, rather that that the gigglypin on the hurdygurdy has failed, as they wouldn't know what one was, nor would make any difference to the situation.

The equipment change explanation is as general as it needs to be, it's not going to remedy the situation by going in to the Nth degree of the whys or wherefores.