Jul 14, 2015, 2:48 pm
Last edit by: BadgerBoi
The Definitive Guide to Seat Poaching
1. Don't do it.
2. Alternatively to #1: Asking politely (and not demanding) to swap for an equal or better seat is acceptable by most (but the final decision always lays with the original seat holder)...but, be warned, some FT'ers may breathe fire at you.
3. Keep in mind that Point 2 is not seat poaching.
1. Don't do it.
2. Alternatively to #1: Asking politely (and not demanding) to swap for an equal or better seat is acceptable by most (but the final decision always lays with the original seat holder)...but, be warned, some FT'ers may breathe fire at you.
3. Keep in mind that Point 2 is not seat poaching.
Seat Swapping, Seat Poaching and Seating Etiquette: The Definitive Thread
Jul 29, 2012, 12:41 am
#151
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: ORD
Programs: AA EXP,2MM, DL Gold,Starwood PLT
Posts: 3,876
I was once sitting in F next to a woman who asked if I would mind switching seats with her older teenage daughter, who was sitting in the aisle seat across and one behind us. Of course, it wasn't an issue going from one aisle seat to another. But the teenage daughter said something like, "No, that's okay, I'm fine here." The mother sweetly pointed out that she was nice enough to pay an extra couple hundred for her daughter to sit in F so that they could be next to each other during the trip, and this was all the respect the daughter gave her. The daughter then sheepishly changed seats with me. Maybe you had to be there, but it was pretty funny.
Oddly enough, a couple weeks later, it happened again with a young man who declined sitting next to his mother by changing seats with me in F. His mother was a lovely woman and turned out to be a good seatmate - short conversation followed by little more than polite contact during the flight.
Oddly enough, a couple weeks later, it happened again with a young man who declined sitting next to his mother by changing seats with me in F. His mother was a lovely woman and turned out to be a good seatmate - short conversation followed by little more than polite contact during the flight.
Jul 29, 2012, 5:39 am
#152
Join Date: Nov 2011
Programs: DL DM, AA Platinum (Life), Emirates Gold,GHA Black
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Jul 29, 2012, 7:42 pm
#153
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2008
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offered without being asked
Today I was sat in aisle seat and wife of guy sat across the aisle and the husband asks me to let him pass to take his seat. I asked "Would you prefer to sit next to your wife?". The wife says, oh if you dont mind taht would be great. So I swapped. No big deal, still had an aisle seat. All were happy.
Jul 29, 2012, 8:02 pm
#154
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Plenty of times my seat preference (aisle) is taken by the time I book or get upgraded. I'm not about to go ask someone to switch with me just so I can have my aisle, but it would sure make my day if they asked me to switch so they could sit next to a companion.
Last edited by javabytes; Jul 29, 2012 at 8:42 pm
Jul 29, 2012, 8:08 pm
#155
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Mountain Time Zone
Programs: AS Million Miler/Marriott Lifetime Titanium/ IGH Ambassador
Posts: 5,992
I AGREE ! Since I am usually in FC alone and in an isle seat I get this often.most of the time I will agree unless of course I am moving to a window seat, then I look at them and say I am full fare FC so I can have the seat I want. That usually shuts that down
Jul 29, 2012, 8:16 pm
#156
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: JFK/LGA/EWR
Posts: 1,296
Today I was sat in aisle seat and wife of guy sat across the aisle and the husband asks me to let him pass to take his seat. I asked "Would you prefer to sit next to your wife?". The wife says, oh if you dont mind taht would be great. So I swapped. No big deal, still had an aisle seat. All were happy.
Jul 30, 2012, 5:00 am
#157
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Sun or Slopes
Posts: 220
......
Of the few times I switched, I always had an issue - the persons seat I switched with was demoted (degraded) back down to coach since he was last to upgrade and an air marshal or seat was needed back (gate agent mistake). It was a mess getting my seat back because that person was saying he was entitled to that seat since we switched. I showed him my boarding ticket and said "Sorry, your seat was demoted, not mine". He actually thought I would leave FC and go to coach.
All in all, I choose my seats for a reason - two people can live 2-4 hours not seating next to each other. Exception is if it's for military traveling with family member or if someone is on their honeymoon or traveling with younger child.
Jul 30, 2012, 5:19 am
#158
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: Flying Blue, easyJet Plus (!)
Posts: 1,762
The latter is particularly important - anyone saying to me anything like "you need to swap seats so we can sit together" will be met with "no I don't, and no I won't".
FWIW, I would also say that the reason I book aisles on long haul is so I can get up and walk about as I don't tend to sleep, so in my case it would, however politely you asked, be on condition that you didn't mind me asking you to let me out when I want to, including waking you up or stepping over if necessary.
Neil
Jul 30, 2012, 5:40 am
#159
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Mountain Time Zone
Programs: AS Million Miler/Marriott Lifetime Titanium/ IGH Ambassador
Posts: 5,992
Ask politely, accept refusal gracefully and do not assume entitlement.
The latter is particularly important - anyone saying to me anything like "you need to swap seats so we can sit together" will be met with "no I don't, and no I won't".
FWIW, I would also say that the reason I book aisles on long haul is so I can get up and walk about as I don't tend to sleep, so in my case it would, however politely you asked, be on condition that you didn't mind me asking you to let me out when I want to, including waking you up or stepping over if necessary.
Neil
The latter is particularly important - anyone saying to me anything like "you need to swap seats so we can sit together" will be met with "no I don't, and no I won't".
FWIW, I would also say that the reason I book aisles on long haul is so I can get up and walk about as I don't tend to sleep, so in my case it would, however politely you asked, be on condition that you didn't mind me asking you to let me out when I want to, including waking you up or stepping over if necessary.
Neil
Jul 30, 2012, 6:04 am
#160
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Jul 30, 2012, 6:46 am
#161
Join Date: Oct 2007
Programs: Now just a lowly DL PM/1MM. This industry needs some competition. It's just not enjoyable anymore.
Posts: 3,543
Jul 30, 2012, 3:33 pm
#162
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: DTW
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Posts: 149
Jul 30, 2012, 3:48 pm
#163
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MHT, CHS
Programs: DL DM, Hilton Dia, Avis Pres Club
Posts: 1,248
Recently I was on an EMB 170/175 and in 1C, my favorite seat. Near the end of boarding 2 people come one and on took 1D (I know it was available since I asked the GA) and took 2A. The guy asked me if I would switch so he could sit next to his fiancée and I politely declined since I chose the seat for the extra legroom on the 2 ½ hour flight and I don’t like sitting on that side of the plane. With other re-arranging and taking unoccupied 2C they sat together in 2C&D. When the passenger came for 2C the guy asked him if he would sit in 1D since the guy in 1C would not switch with him.
Throughout the entire flight he kicked the seat, and kept on pulling himself up by my seat back. While annoying it was funny to see a 50 year old man act like a baby to impress his 20 something bimbo fiancée.
Even if he was nicer when he asked I don't think I would have switched since I thought it was for an inferior seat
Throughout the entire flight he kicked the seat, and kept on pulling himself up by my seat back. While annoying it was funny to see a 50 year old man act like a baby to impress his 20 something bimbo fiancée.
Even if he was nicer when he asked I don't think I would have switched since I thought it was for an inferior seat
Jul 30, 2012, 3:54 pm
#164
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,042
i like the line "Would you like a window seat"? It is easier to say no graciously. Remember when you ask somebody to switch seats so you can sit with your wife, a lot of people would really rather you not bother them with your request.
Dec 13, 2012, 1:29 pm
#165
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: SAN
Programs: DL PM
Posts: 428
Seat Switch Humor
I thought I'd share this tale with everyone. Flew back from a much maligned OGG-LAX flight that took off 14 hours late due to MX and was a cancellation. Mrs. BHart and I were originally seated together and had both used miles to UG, agent couldn't get us seated together on the new flight since it was now a total mess with the previous cancellation. She had 5C, I had 6D and the check in agent said again, no seats, but she had 4D available, I took that figuring I'd have more leverage negotiating from a full recline seat, and with us splitting window/aisle respectively it would just be a 1 row change for someone.
We all start boarding, 4C is right in front of me, before he even gets situated, I ask if he wouldn't mind changing. He looks back to see a mother with baby in 5D and gives me a "No, I'm staying here." I was a lot angry but tried to stay cool. After some PDB dispensing, Mr. 4C gets up to go the the lav and my wife keeps eying 6D to see if maybe that seat will stay vacant, then 6C pipes up after the looks "Is there a problem?". Wife explains what's going on, and 6C suggests the mother and baby move, which would then force Mr. 4C to sit next to the baby anyway. Even the mom in 5D laughs at the thought and said the baby slept the whole flight out anyway. We figured asking her/them to move was a major inconvenience already which is why we didn't bother asking them and then the mom (5D) also chimes in and says "Well, I don't want to sit next to an a**hole!"
We all had a pretty good laugh and then after emerging from the lav, 4C changed his mind anyway and agreed to switch. His good deed was rewarded with a thank you, and the baby true to her nature slept the whole flight anyway so it all worked out, and with a good laugh to boot.
We all start boarding, 4C is right in front of me, before he even gets situated, I ask if he wouldn't mind changing. He looks back to see a mother with baby in 5D and gives me a "No, I'm staying here." I was a lot angry but tried to stay cool. After some PDB dispensing, Mr. 4C gets up to go the the lav and my wife keeps eying 6D to see if maybe that seat will stay vacant, then 6C pipes up after the looks "Is there a problem?". Wife explains what's going on, and 6C suggests the mother and baby move, which would then force Mr. 4C to sit next to the baby anyway. Even the mom in 5D laughs at the thought and said the baby slept the whole flight out anyway. We figured asking her/them to move was a major inconvenience already which is why we didn't bother asking them and then the mom (5D) also chimes in and says "Well, I don't want to sit next to an a**hole!"
We all had a pretty good laugh and then after emerging from the lav, 4C changed his mind anyway and agreed to switch. His good deed was rewarded with a thank you, and the baby true to her nature slept the whole flight anyway so it all worked out, and with a good laugh to boot.