Being INfrequent flyers does not excuse the father from being courteous and respecting the OPs response. Assuming it was an infant in arms, upon checkin, the agent could've informed them that bulkheads are opened up a couple of hours before flight time and that they should check back to get one of those seats. Then it would be up for them to check and ensure that they get a prime seat. This is what the OP did - I don't see why expecting to give someone more for doing less is considered courteous!

1. I'm also curious how your seatmates responded to the request.
2. Were all other bulkhead seats on the plane taken by bassinets?

Well this situation is pathetic then because if someone goes to the counter and asks the GA for a bulkhead seat and has no reason to get one (no infant, not disabled) and gets it just because they were the first to ask then the GA screwed up IMO. I could see writing the persons name down and if there were empty bulkhead seats closer to departure assigning them to people with FF status that asked. The reason they hold them is to accomodate the parents with infants and disabled.....if by the OP getting the seat meant that the family traveling with an infant was not accomodated, the GA messed up. Those seats should only be available to anyone other than families with infants and disabled passengers IF they have accomodated all of the families with infants and disable passengers first. Just because someone goes and says "I am a DM or PM" 2 hours before the flight doesn't mean they should get the seat....I could see writing their name down and having a list in the event they go unfilled but to just give it to them because they asked first is not doing their job....and in this case caused a scene that could have easily been avoided

Personally, I have asked for bulkhead in Y LAX - SYD for me and my fiance and we got it. Don't know if there were IIA that went unaccommodated. We asked T-2h and received it. Since IIA or needing assistance should be listed on your ticket, it would be easy for any GA to see whether there are passengers who need to be accommodated and therefore need the seats held / assigned.

There are a lot of questions here - did the parents screw up and didn't list their IIA on their reservation? Were there too many IIA on the flight to pre-assign the bulkhead in a fair manner; so it became first come, first serve?

Either way, it was still inappropriate for the DL FA to push after asking once for a change. It was inappropriate (and uncourteous!!) for the father to make a snide comment. The OP rightfully put forth the extra effort to secure the bulkhead seat. Case closed.

Being "courteous" when it comes at a personal cost is a choice.

The 777 also has 8 inches of additional leg room. I can't guarantee it was a 777 but it meets the description of TPAC and 3 across in the bulkhead.

You have that right and can do so if and when you are asked. Your definition of "common" and "courtesy" may not be the same. I would argue that it is common courtesy to request, not demand.

The personal "cost" of holding the door, and the personal reward (the smile or thank-you) are equitable tradeoffs. The exchange of 8 inches of leg room on a 16 hour flight and a "smile" or "thank you" not so much. This is not about philanthropy. If Delta had been intent on having this family in the bulkhead they would have provided the traveler with a comparable seat - and those additional 8 inches are only found in BE.

By your definition, perhaps - and most people would likely agree - however, in the case of the mother and the door, a snide retort to the person who failed to hold the door would be equally or perhaps more discourteous.

The OP did not invite his mother to fly with him. Outside her, NO ONE has the right or obligation to lecture him on manners - that is just plain rude.

I agree - and for that configured airplane there are no equivalent seats in coach.

That can be said of both the FA and the parent. If Delta wants to make those seats available to parents with infants, then they need to do it per policy....not by FAs shaming an FF into it during the boarding process.

I applaud the FO for sticking to his guns. As for the issue of "crew member instructions" failing to abide by a request to change seats if it is not a safety issue doesn't count. FAs cannot make up FARs on the fly.

maybe she was concerned about balance issues?

On most non-US airlines you would not have been able to book bassinet seats as those are best used by people with infants - or you would have been required to move. The alternative (infant on lap for 16 hrs) is increased inconvenience for all others pax and the FAs.

Delta screwed up by giving the OP the seat. Thats not the OP's problem. If the parent didn't want to hold the baby they should have paid for an extra seat

Bulkhead seats are not just for infants. There are other uses too. For example with using medical equipment, handicapped people, people with prosthetics. Whose needs are greater?
As far as I know there is no Families with infants Act. :D

THE FA should have known that and she has no business embarrassing herself and a passenger. It's OK to ask once. but beyond that, it's being pushy and annoying.

One, occupying the other aisle seat, pretended to be asleep and the one in the middle, a nice Chinese fellow, probably did n ot understand what was being asked.
I really do empathise with the family. There are only so many bulkhead seats. I do remember travelling with my infant son and being assigned a bulkhead seat where bassinet was attached. But I also remember times when we did not get a bulkhead seat. All the babies on the plane could not be accommodated.
We all want the best and the most comfortable seats. Heck I want BE too. But there are certain things you have to do in order to get what you want. Booking ahead, checking in early is simple to do. Bulkhead seats, according to DL are assigned at check-in.

I disagree with your opinion strongly.
I can be sure that we all know that bulkhead is the only place bassinets can be attached.
But you know what, Lie Flat seats are the only seats on which one can lie comfortably.
I am not only entitled to that seat, but I am also entitled to meet my needs, and you one, no idea what they are, first.
Oh does being an FA excuse her from being courteous?
Does being a parent excuse them from being courteous?
If the request were made for someone whose needs, in my opinion, were greater than mine, I would certainly consider moving. Travelling with an infant is not one of those needs, unless you think that having a baby is a handicap.
Moreover, a person with the attitude displayed by the dad is not deserving of sympathy.

I know you don't mean any offence, and I am sure you did not know that you just broke the law by asking me how I got the bulkhead seat. The fact that I was able to get a bulkhead seat should be an answer in itself. Since you mean no harm, I shall answer your question. I pointed a gun to GA's head. :D

Until as recent as 6 months ago, trip, I never asked for a bulkhead seat because I felt no need for it. Now I do, and I meet Delta's requirements. I too would be upset if I were travelling with an infant and could not get bulkhead seat, but I wouldn't have a showdown. For the third time, bulkhead seats are not just for parents with infants.
By the way, you can't tell, by looking at a person, if they are disabled or not. There are many kinds of disabilities. I am not talkingg about the kind that requires you to have an emotional support animal.

You re quite right. Asking for BE is too much. This answer of mine was a rhetorical. The seat offered was not equivalent to what I had.

I'm confused by this one. you knowingly gave a disabled person your exit row seat? thats not courteous, thats just not smart. why would you do that?

also, not to seem insensitive, why should i not be able to recline my seat when a disabled passenger didnt try to find seating that would work better for them?

Well, I didn't know that.

Well we all can't be smart. :D j/k
Just think about it. Where else can you attache a bassinet? The ceiling? The doors,windows, seatbacks, trays, overhead bins? Have I left anything out?

I am with the OP on this one. A family with an INFANT IN ARMS does not deserve special sitting to the point a pax is forced to give up a cherry seat on a long flight to accomodate parents that are too cheap to do the right thing: buy a ticket for the INFANT.

This could be put to an end when the airlines eliminate the INFANT deal and ask everyone to have a ticket. That infant should be in a car seat next to his/her parents, wherever it is they are seated. That is a safe place and frees the parents from having to spend time with the baby. Makes for a better experience for everyone.

The USA Today article spells it out very well.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/...htm?csp=34news

I can see the FA asking if the OP was willing to change seats, but on being told no, that should have been the end of it. Why have to go into any explanations, and certainly it is inappropriate to be lectured by the FA. Having the husband then come over borders on intimidation.

Haha....And I'm sorry I just assumed you were a DM or PM that did not meet the bulkhead seating requirements and just wanted the seat since it gives you much more legroom. I definitely don't agree with the FA asking multiple times and the dad seems like a hothead and real pri@$ but I just figured that you wanted the seat due to status and for that I apologize. It certainly is not your fault that the GA gave you the seat.