Does CO give any preference to Plat/Gold
/Silver on exit row seating like AA gives to EPLT and PLT?

Officially, no.

Officially, these seats are held for ATO (airport) assignment.

Officially, there is no "middle seat blocking" on CO like on UA or AA.

Unofficially, you will find many "elite line" agents who do give exit row seating to elite members. But many follow the rules and do not. Also, it is often possible to get these seats way in advance at the airport, especially at P Clubs, if you show an elite card. The rationale for holding for the airport is that they want to see that you are "fit" under FAA standards to be exit row seated; thus, it comports with this rationale to examine you before the day of flight for such an evaluation.

You will find agents vary as to whether or not they will assign in advance. I have often had agents do it and say things like "now, just don't go breaking your leg in the next six weeks!" etc.

this "rule" is ridiculous and makes CO uncompetitive with its competition. i am platinum with AA and they give me exit row seats. NW also gives me exit row seats as a result of my CO platinum status.

so, i just schlep to a CO ticket office to get my exit rows, but it is a pain in the a**.

[This message has been edited by fly co to see the yanks (edited 09-26-2002).]

AA and DL both pre-assign exit row seats to elite customers.

You elite CO folks are really being taken for the metaphorical ride if agents refuse to do this for you.

We get taken for the Proverbial ride all the time on CO.. on more issues than this too

I have always been able to get exit rows over the phone.

You are also able to request them as an elite at e-ticket kiosk on the day of dpearture.

I've never had problems reserving exit rows on Continental with Elite Status.

Many reps have mentioned that they shouldn't do it, but if I speak to them nicely, they've always booked seats for me.

It's nice to have exit row if the upgrades don't come through, especially since I fly LAX-EWR which is really hard upgrading.

now that the food is awful in first as well as coach, exit row is better than first in many cases since you have MORE leg room.

My exit row story:

I'm no status at all, flying on a 20K sale free award ticket.

Can't get exit row assigned in advance (no surprise there...I'm low man on the totem pole at CO, no mater how you cut it).

Ask at the airport for exit row. Sorry, all taken.

Get on my MD-80. Aisle on the 3 side, window taken but seat between us still empty. But the legroom. Man...after a few experiences in United's Economy Plus, I feel like a sardine on this dog rocket.

Anyway, I look back over my shoulder and spy 2 guys sitting in the 2 side exit row, 21. I'm afraid I'm doing a little "profiling" of my own on these 2 gentlemen. The one on the aisle is reading a non-English newspaper. A Clue? A possiblity?

I stand up and stop the FA as she passes and tell her "If you find anyone is not qualified to sit in the exit row, I'd love to switch." She gives me a very puzzled look. I shift my eyes back to 21. Her eyes follow. "Ok" is all she says.

She walks back to the 2 in 21 and I can hear her ask, "Are you both willing and able to assist the crew in an emergency?" They guy in the aisle seat looks puzzled but his pal in the window seat says, "Yes, we are." The FA asks the aisle guy again. Another look of puzzlement and the window guy once again answers in the affirmative.

Bingo.

The FA says, "I need this gentleman to answer himself. Sir, do you speak English?"

Nada. Bingo, bingo.

The FA instructs the aisle, by way of the window, that aisle will have to move as English is required for those sitting in an exit row. Window is upset and says that they need to sit together. "That's not a problem," the FA says. "We've got 2 together over there." The man in the window resists again and the FA says, "You are welcome to remain, but I have to move your friend."

I can't help feel a bit guilty, but them's the rules and safety first, and all that rationalization plus taking my new exit row seat with the window seat next to it now vacant, makes my guilt quickly fade away.

Very nice seat for Economy, as most of you probably know.

Now being really motivated to snag the exit row on the return flight, on arrival at IAH, I head to the ticketing counter and inquire if they can pre-assign me the same seat if available on the return. I tell the nice lady that I was told only airport personnel could do that for non-elites.

No problem. Assigned the exit row seat for my return. She even prints out a copy of my PNR showing the new seat assignment and her authorization, for me to take with me.

I'm happy.

I am Silver on CO so my upgrade ability is very tenuous. This being the case I always have my travel agent request exit row as I am 6'3". My travel agent has to call CO. 90% of the time she can get me assigned to the exit row. Occasionally she gets a customer service-(oxymoron)- agent that refuses. She keeps calling back until she finds one that will comply. My biggest problem is getting bulk head seating at time of booking. Before I was Elite I was told they were holding bulk head for Elites. Now that I am Elite I am told they are holding them for wheel chair and infirmed customers.. ???

Premex:

Great story!! Very clever

from what i've seen (on my flights and reported on seatguru), 5EF show up as available seats for elite, but 5ABCD are held back. i've had 5C assigned in advance by a pclub agent before, even tho the web site showed it unavailable, and i got 5F myself on the web site for one of my christmas flights.

Just called for seats on an eTicket for which I noticed I had no seats on the itinerary!

Exit Rows and Bulkhead seats are only given at the airport (as of today's call).

The agent, Beth, told me that they just got a little note (one of many lately) and it said that they no longer give preference to Elites.

Flying tomorrow at 4:55 PM ewr-iah and no EUA yet, bt the agent said there were a lot of seats and good chance for upgrade. I am Gold and every flight that I haven't gotten EUA'd on, I've received an upgrade at the airport. Unfortunately, I prefer Aisles (as if you couldn't tell) and get stuck at the window and thus, have so many digital photos of clouds that I will put a website up soon when I get the chance (already bought the Domain Name). When I get a window with EUA, I call and change it. At the airport, there is less chance of this.

I have spoken to many CO agents and they all avoid comment when I ask if Revenue Management is holding seats back, but I have gotten one or two to admit it.

-Joe.

[This message has been edited by aislesonly (edited 10-05-2002).]

I seriously doubt if the field personal have access to this info. If they cant assign an upgrade, it is being held out of inventory for a valid reason (yeah, right). For competitive reasons, they cant possibly know that reason.

MisterNice

I agree that most employees are not as privy to the info as some of us might think. After all, CO is not employee owned (haha) like some other airlines that I have not flown lately...

The agents are pretty observant and can see trends over time. I am sure they were probably noticing things and maybe asking a few questions to supervisors and if there are enought questions, they may actually get feedback.

I am a consultant and have been at various companies when they have televised internal or web meetings and they do discuss a lot of confidential information. I can see some info like "we are trying to increase revenue by widening the purchase opportunity windows for revenue generating seats" being stated at a meeting. THIS IS A POSSIBLE WAY IT COULD BE SAID. I AM NOT SAYING THAT THIS WAS DONE --- please don't flame me

Some employees do know more than others...

-Joe