The problem with theoretical seating
May 5, 2019, 3:51 pm
#17
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: LON
Programs: BA Gold; LH FTL; IHG Diamond; Marriott Gold; ALL Gold
Posts: 1,758
Perhaps the OP's phrasing could be more politically correct, but I think it raises a valid point - particularly for people who end up being slotted into exit rows. I'm almost always in the window or aisle of an exit row, but am always amazed by people who turn up and sit around me merrily putting baggage under the seat in front of them, not putting their seat belt on until told to do so etc. I always think "come on, if you're going to choose an exit row seat you really should know how to behave", but TS probably means that the exit row middles are blocked by GCH/SCH until the last possible moment, so we end up with people having no idea what they're doing (whether it's how to check in or not to store a hiking pole under the seat in front).
That said, I'd rather have an empty middle seat 50% of the time and have to put up with novices the other 50% of the time, than no TS at all...
That said, I'd rather have an empty middle seat 50% of the time and have to put up with novices the other 50% of the time, than no TS at all...
May 5, 2019, 3:56 pm
#18
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Sapporo, Japan
Programs: Junior Jet Club, Nando's Card 1 Red Chilli, Tesco Clubcard, BAEC Gold, TK M&S Elite
Posts: 520
People seem to forget that historically they probably were that inexperienced and nervous flyer...
None of us were born with frequent flyer cards and impeccable preparatory skills.
None of us were born with frequent flyer cards and impeccable preparatory skills.
May 5, 2019, 4:07 pm
#19
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 143
It is an interesting side effect of Theoretical Seating.
My experience of this is that I find myself with standby passengers taking the seat beside me. These can be staff passengers or people who have been rebooked following a misconnect.
If that person is in a group that has been spread around the cabin, there may be pressure to move to accommodate them.
I love an empty adjacent seat. I’ve never paid for one (not talking about the CE middle) so BA can do what they want with that seat. It’s not mine.
My experience of this is that I find myself with standby passengers taking the seat beside me. These can be staff passengers or people who have been rebooked following a misconnect.
If that person is in a group that has been spread around the cabin, there may be pressure to move to accommodate them.
I love an empty adjacent seat. I’ve never paid for one (not talking about the CE middle) so BA can do what they want with that seat. It’s not mine.
May 5, 2019, 5:10 pm
#21
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: London, UK
Programs: BAEC GGL/GFl, HH Diamond, BW Diamond, Virgin Voyages Deep Blue Extra, Blue Peter Badge Holder
Posts: 3,937
Easily solved, look on EF and select a seat that has been blocked out on there but is available for selection to Golds on BA.com, then you’ll be sat next to a frequent traveller who of course won’t have been drinking a diuretic in the lounge beforehand and certainly won’t want to get anything from their bag.
Alternatively, fly F when available or I hear JetSarter are doing a great trade (just for you fruitcage)
Alternatively, fly F when available or I hear JetSarter are doing a great trade (just for you fruitcage)
Last edited by navylad; May 5, 2019 at 10:15 pm
May 5, 2019, 9:30 pm
#22
Join Date: May 2005
Programs: BA GFL, GGL, CCR and other stuff too tedious to mention
Posts: 73
May 6, 2019, 1:27 am
#23
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: UK
Programs: IC Hotels Spire, BA Gold
Posts: 8,667
Perhaps the OP's phrasing could be more politically correct, but I think it raises a valid point - particularly for people who end up being slotted into exit rows. I'm almost always in the window or aisle of an exit row, but am always amazed by people who turn up and sit around me merrily putting baggage under the seat in front of them, not putting their seat belt on until told to do so etc...
A few months ago a lady in the exit row next to me asked to move when the CC did their usual briefing as she had no idea she was in this row and did not want the responsibility in case of an emergency.
May 6, 2019, 1:34 am
#24
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold / OW Emerald
Posts: 753
This. It amazes me too how many folk in an exit row happily put their stuff on the floor and look amazed and often argue when the CC tell them they will have to put it all in the overhead bins. Logically they probably are the folk who did not OLCI or pre-select a seat and have no idea they are even in an exit row,
A few months ago a lady in the exit row next to me asked to move when the CC did their usual briefing as she had no idea she was in this row and did not want the responsibility in case of an emergency.
A few months ago a lady in the exit row next to me asked to move when the CC did their usual briefing as she had no idea she was in this row and did not want the responsibility in case of an emergency.
May 6, 2019, 1:55 am
#25
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: UK
Programs: IC Hotels Spire, BA Gold
Posts: 8,667
When I see the overhead bins filling up fast I have in the past pointed out to fellow pax in the exit row that their stuff will have to go up so might be a good idea to do it now whilst there is still some room above them. The usual effect is they try and push it even more under the seat in front to hide it from the CC so I don't bother anymore
May 6, 2019, 2:21 am
#26
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: London
Programs: plenty - ggl, ccr, etc, etc.
Posts: 1,704
It is an interesting side effect of Theoretical Seating.
My experience of this is that I find myself with standby passengers taking the seat beside me. These can be staff passengers or people who have been rebooked following a misconnect.
If that person is in a group that has been spread around the cabin, there may be pressure to move to accommodate them.
I love an empty adjacent seat. I’ve never paid for one (not talking about the CE middle) so BA can do what they want with that seat. It’s not mine.
My experience of this is that I find myself with standby passengers taking the seat beside me. These can be staff passengers or people who have been rebooked following a misconnect.
If that person is in a group that has been spread around the cabin, there may be pressure to move to accommodate them.
I love an empty adjacent seat. I’ve never paid for one (not talking about the CE middle) so BA can do what they want with that seat. It’s not mine.
May 6, 2019, 4:20 am
#27
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: London, UK
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 2,279
Good point! If you are travelling on public transport then you have a good chance of being seated next to a nice, normal human. My experience of PJs is that most occupants act like entitled twats.
May 6, 2019, 4:33 am
#28
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold, A3 *Gold
Posts: 887
So I love when TS gives me a free seat and yes I’ve noticed some of those who do get put next to me are clearly not regular flyers (bags in the exit row the usual sign) but.....
I wasn’t aware I am breaking some Golden rule not to pee on a plane? I am alone in preferring to pee while I don’t have anything else to do rather than in my lounge time or delaying my arrival home by doing it at my arrival airport? Hadn’t realised my toilet habits were so weird...
I wasn’t aware I am breaking some Golden rule not to pee on a plane? I am alone in preferring to pee while I don’t have anything else to do rather than in my lounge time or delaying my arrival home by doing it at my arrival airport? Hadn’t realised my toilet habits were so weird...
May 6, 2019, 5:14 am
#29
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: London
Programs: BAEC Gold, *A Gold, Hertz President's Circle, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 529
I would say that seasoned FF’s are less likely to go to the loo on a flight than non-FF’s. Do you really need to go on a one hour hop?
Just as once a year flyers are more likely to take ages at security (faffing around, not being ‘ready to go’), more likely to have loads of luggage - they are also more likely to exhibit less appealing behaviour on board (loud headphones, getting up and down, bringing smelly food on from the airport, have had a skinful in the bar).
It’s not that Golds and FF’s never do this. They’re just far less likely to. And they’re less likely to be weirdos.
Just as once a year flyers are more likely to take ages at security (faffing around, not being ‘ready to go’), more likely to have loads of luggage - they are also more likely to exhibit less appealing behaviour on board (loud headphones, getting up and down, bringing smelly food on from the airport, have had a skinful in the bar).
It’s not that Golds and FF’s never do this. They’re just far less likely to. And they’re less likely to be weirdos.
May 6, 2019, 5:26 am
#30
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Ipswich
Posts: 7,543
Based on what I read here, I'd say that many FFers are seasoned drinkers, many of whom will have filled up in the lounge and topped up on board. That would put them at the top of the toilet users, no?