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
Dec 14, 2012, 10:28 am
#181
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: NYC
Programs: Amtrak Select Plus, Marriott Platinum, Marriott Lifetime Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 3,123
The a-hole was not in 4C.
Dec 14, 2012, 10:52 am
#182
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: JAC
Programs: A few
Posts: 98
Interesting dilema. I have on more than one occasion given up aisle to middle to accomodate someone. I've come to realize instantly after that this was a mistake. I regret it every time I switch.
My new years resolution is to have more cajones to say NO.
My new years resolution is to have more cajones to say NO.
Dec 14, 2012, 11:59 am
#183
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 49
That's "cojones", eyezon. The citizens of El Cajon thank you.
Dec 14, 2012, 12:02 pm
#184
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 49
Well, the mom called the guy an a-hole, not me. I know nobody has to switch seats, and we asked nicely, which we always do because we're polite and the baby didn't cry the whole flight, and I actually understand his trepidation about the baby but if anyone bothered to read the entire first post, he switched anyway. Yes, nobody wants to switch to a middle but that wasn't the case. I'm not an entitled PM, that's for DMs only 
thanks for the assumptions, but my wife and I don't see each other much since she travels for work very often and we interacted with each other plenty on the flight and we're very secure in our marriage and happen to love each other quite a bit. Thanks for piling on everyone. The root of the story was the comment from the mom, which is why I bolded it but I'm glad all the replies on here called me out making plenty of assumptions about me, my attitude, my marriage and the situation. A 14 hour overnight delay and 4 hours of sleep (or less for others) left most everyone on the flight in a crappy mood, glad it could be continued on here for trying to share something I thought was amusing. Nothing like the DL forum.
thanks for the assumptions, but my wife and I don't see each other much since she travels for work very often and we interacted with each other plenty on the flight and we're very secure in our marriage and happen to love each other quite a bit. Thanks for piling on everyone. The root of the story was the comment from the mom, which is why I bolded it but I'm glad all the replies on here called me out making plenty of assumptions about me, my attitude, my marriage and the situation. A 14 hour overnight delay and 4 hours of sleep (or less for others) left most everyone on the flight in a crappy mood, glad it could be continued on here for trying to share something I thought was amusing. Nothing like the DL forum.Unfortunately, it is the FT way, BHArt! Assume the OP is a whining complaining jerk, then recruit other FTers to pile on. You can pretty much count on it, sad to say. I enjoyed your story.
Last edited by Shena Nigans; Dec 14, 2012 at 12:27 pm
Dec 14, 2012, 12:13 pm
#185
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Between AMS and BRU
Posts: 8,852
You can also just accept your assigned seats and not bother others with your need to sit next to each other for a few hours... So yes, it started out as whining and continued, encouraged by others on the flight. Even making someone who just wanted to stay in his seat and not possibly be next to a crying baby, the a-hole..... Not really....
Dec 14, 2012, 12:26 pm
#186
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: SEA
Programs: Delta TDK(or care)WIA, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,869
You can also just accept your assigned seats and not bother others with your need to sit next to each other for a few hours... So yes, it started out as whining and continued, encouraged by others on the flight. Even making someone who just wanted to stay in his seat and not possibly be next to a crying baby, the a-hole..... Not really....
Dec 14, 2012, 12:34 pm
#187
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: MN
Programs: Lots of programs, dirt on all of them!
Posts: 11,938
Dec 14, 2012, 12:50 pm
#188
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, MM, NR; HH Diamond, Bonvoy LT Gold, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Diamond, others
Posts: 12,159
It depends. If someone wants me to switch to a worse seat, that's quite unlikely. If the seats are equal (e.g. move up one row, aisle to aisle) I see little reason not to.
Dec 14, 2012, 1:37 pm
#189
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: SAN
Programs: DL PM
Posts: 428
You can also just accept your assigned seats and not bother others with your need to sit next to each other for a few hours... So yes, it started out as whining and continued, encouraged by others on the flight. Even making someone who just wanted to stay in his seat and not possibly be next to a crying baby, the a-hole..... Not really....
Last edited by BHArt; Dec 14, 2012 at 1:44 pm Reason: changed caps
Dec 14, 2012, 1:39 pm
#190
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: SAN
Programs: DL PM
Posts: 428
I hope this is locked, I clearly fell for troll bait.
Dec 14, 2012, 1:45 pm
#191
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2012
Programs: DL FO/KM, AA PLT
Posts: 2,594
It's funny but that's only part of it. When I need to get out of my seat to access the overhead bin or use the lav or just get up and walk around, I find it "easier" to do so when I know the person sitting next to me. It's also a lot easier to "share space" with someone you know. My fiance is 5'1. I'm 6'4 and don't fit very well in regular Y seats. When I sit next to her, she has no problem with me stretching into legroom so I'm a little more comfortable. I can't do that next to a stranger.
Dec 14, 2012, 1:49 pm
#192
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Huntsville, AL
Programs: DL DM 1.929MM, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, IHG Platinum, Avis CHM, Marriott Titanium (lifetime gold)
Posts: 7,860
Dec 14, 2012, 1:54 pm
#193
Join Date: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,877
Why is someone else's lack of planning and preparation anyone else's problem?
The conversation should go something like this:
PAX 1: Would you mind switching seats.
PAX 2: Yes, I would mind.
PAX 1: Thank you anyways.
End of discussion. Attitude and doooshbaggery are not necessary.
If you have long legs, do not book a bulk head seat and then expect someone else to move. If you fly with a companion and want to sit together, buy seats together. If you are upgraded into any F seat, be thankful and certainly don't expect anyone to switch. If you have special needs, then plan for them. If you have carry on bags and have to sit in Y, expect that you will not have a place to stow your luggage. If you want seats together, purchase seats together. If you and a companion are playing the upgrade game and get upgraded, but are not sitting together, deal with it. If you have an aisle seat in Y and are upgraded to a window seat in F and really need to be in an aisle seat, then stay in Y; if you take the upgrade, don't expect someone to switch with you.
These are not difficult concepts to grasp.
Of late, the sense of entitlement in the air on some AC is stifling.
The conversation should go something like this:
PAX 1: Would you mind switching seats.
PAX 2: Yes, I would mind.
PAX 1: Thank you anyways.
End of discussion. Attitude and doooshbaggery are not necessary.
If you have long legs, do not book a bulk head seat and then expect someone else to move. If you fly with a companion and want to sit together, buy seats together. If you are upgraded into any F seat, be thankful and certainly don't expect anyone to switch. If you have special needs, then plan for them. If you have carry on bags and have to sit in Y, expect that you will not have a place to stow your luggage. If you want seats together, purchase seats together. If you and a companion are playing the upgrade game and get upgraded, but are not sitting together, deal with it. If you have an aisle seat in Y and are upgraded to a window seat in F and really need to be in an aisle seat, then stay in Y; if you take the upgrade, don't expect someone to switch with you.
These are not difficult concepts to grasp.
Of late, the sense of entitlement in the air on some AC is stifling.
Last edited by DelrayChris; Dec 14, 2012 at 2:05 pm
Dec 14, 2012, 1:57 pm
#194
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Washington, D.C.
Programs: UA Premier 1K: PlAAtinum; DL SM, MM; Marriott Gold; CO Plat Emeritus; NW Plat Emeritus
Posts: 4,776
IBTL!
Dec 14, 2012, 2:04 pm
#195
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
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Posts: 20,348
I think your line:
""Well, I don't want to sit next to an a**hole!" We all had a pretty good laugh...." (yes, we all know it was the woman with the baby that called him an a**hole).
makes your position very clear as to what you think of someone that will not swap seats with you stop whining about being troll bait. Looks like a self inflicted wound from where most of us are sitting.
""Well, I don't want to sit next to an a**hole!" We all had a pretty good laugh...." (yes, we all know it was the woman with the baby that called him an a**hole).
makes your position very clear as to what you think of someone that will not swap seats with you stop whining about being troll bait. Looks like a self inflicted wound from where most of us are sitting.