Broken seat - does it matter?
#17
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I didn’t think pax could be seated in jump seats because they were unfamiliar with the unique emergency procedures required of jumpseat riders (at least that’s what I’ve been told on long international flights when I’ve dared to perch on a jumpseat for a moment).
#18
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#19
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There's no issue in flight, just landing/takeoff, but crew (especially in CV19 world) dont like anyone sitting in their seat at all.
#20
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Once I had a flight where the passenger in front of me insisted on having his seat somewhat reclined during takeoff and landing. When I pointed this out to a FA, she told me that it was OK if the seat was partially reclined fur takeoff and landing. Is this correct or not?
#21
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Once I had a flight where the passenger in front of me insisted on having his seat somewhat reclined during takeoff and landing. When I pointed this out to a FA, she told me that it was OK if the seat was partially reclined fur takeoff and landing. Is this correct or not?
Now, it's also important to keep in mind, like with many of these regs, this was created in an era where seats actually reclined as opposed to tilting back a couple of inches or sliding forward from the bottom. With the minimal amount of recline on todays domestic aircraft (whether it's Y or J) it's pretty unlikely anyone would have trouble exiting the window seat in an evacuation so I imagine the FA was using a little bit of common sense here to avoid escalating things into a confrontation.
Had the FAA been on the flight and noticed this, yes it would technically be a violation.
#22
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I'm flying in 2C on a flight where seat 1C is clearly broken. Was fully reclined as I sat down. Asked the FA to address it and was told that it didn't need to be upright until the door closed. Once the door closed, FA tried to pull the seat up and then told me "the seat doesn't go up" and walked away. Refused to address it further.
Should I file a complaint with DL? Or the FAA?
Should I file a complaint with DL? Or the FAA?
Last edited by steveholt; Oct 10, 2022 at 4:53 pm
#23
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I'm flying in 2C on a flight where seat 1C is clearly broken. Was fully reclined as I sat down. Asked the FA to address it and was told that it didn't need to be upright until the door closed. Once the door closed, FA tried to pull the seat up and then told me "the seat doesn't go up" and walked away. Refused to address it further.
Should I file a complaint with DL? Or the FAA?
Should I file a complaint with DL? Or the FAA?
#24
Join Date: Aug 2007
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I think the reason for keeping your seat upright is more for the passengers behind you than you. The seat being reclined makes it more difficult to get out of the row, which is why the rows in front of an exit row either have limited or no recline. If there is a crash, you'll be leaning forward against the seat in front of you anyway, not sittting "upright", so the position of your seatback wouldn't really matter (at least to you). But a reclined seatback makes it more difficult for the passengers behind you to get out and evacauate.
Well, there were three other options available for you and the affected passengers behind your seat:
1) Move to other seats (if one was available)
2) Repair the seat (causing a delay for everyone on the flight)
3) If no other seats other seats were available, remove you and the affected passengers from the plane and rebook you all for a later flight.
The fourth option is what you and the airline chose - accept it and fly on to the destination and deal with it later.
I'm not saying the decision was "right" or "wrong" - just explaining it. What would you have preferred they chose to do?
Well, there were three other options available for you and the affected passengers behind your seat:
1) Move to other seats (if one was available)
2) Repair the seat (causing a delay for everyone on the flight)
3) If no other seats other seats were available, remove you and the affected passengers from the plane and rebook you all for a later flight.
The fourth option is what you and the airline chose - accept it and fly on to the destination and deal with it later.
I'm not saying the decision was "right" or "wrong" - just explaining it. What would you have preferred they chose to do?
#25
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Midwest
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Called Delta to complain and they couldn't understand why I was upset--they just saying "it's a complimentary upgrade, sir. We can't do anything if something complimentary doesn't work out." I kept saying, "you downgraded me, though! I had a better seat to begin with!" C'est la vie.
#27
Join Date: Feb 2019
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Called Delta to complain and they couldn't understand why I was upset--they just saying "it's a complimentary upgrade, sir. We can't do anything if something complimentary doesn't work out." I kept saying, "you downgraded me, though! I had a better seat to begin with!" C'est la vie.
#28
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Also comes down to a CS principle. What's better one upset customer,, or multiple upset customers when redoing seat assignments. I've been on the losing end before, it sucks. However, understand why the usually won't understand things. Even if they do move passengers, person A will still be upset that it happened. It's a lose/lose for the airline.
#29
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I'm flying in 2C on a flight where seat 1C is clearly broken. Was fully reclined as I sat down. Asked the FA to address it and was told that it didn't need to be upright until the door closed. Once the door closed, FA tried to pull the seat up and then told me "the seat doesn't go up" and walked away. Refused to address it further.
Should I file a complaint with DL? Or the FAA?
Should I file a complaint with DL? Or the FAA?
Eventually filed a DOT complaint. DL took the full 30 days to respond and said:
"We sincerely regret the alarm caused by this malfunction and our crew's response to it. Clearly, the flight should have been delayed in order to resolve the issue and we're sorry this wasn't done. Please know we've forwarded your feedback to our Inflight leadership for review with the crew members involved. Thank you for bringing this to our attention."
Very helpful form letter.