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 5, 2015, 8:50 am
#541
Join Date: Sep 2013
Programs: DL PM, 1MM, DL SC, Kimpton Inner Circle
Posts: 2,416
That's a new one -- I will gladly pay you Tuesday for a seat swap today.
Dec 5, 2015, 9:47 am
#543
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Northern California
Programs: DL DM Charter, 2.9MM; 2019 PM and falling; Kettle everywhere else
Posts: 243
I made $40 once on a PMNW flight for swapping seats but it was cash up front!
Dec 5, 2015, 10:32 am
#544
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: MSP
Programs: Delta PM, Marriott Plat, Hertz Pres
Posts: 3,649
If the seat had been worse I would have put up a fight. But given it was just the other aisle my sleep deprivation (and the 2 free premium drinks in the sky club promo) got the best of me.
Dec 5, 2015, 12:04 pm
#545
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
Boarding my LAX-JFK last as I was hoping for a no show so my ruc would clear. Alas no. As I arrive to my bulkhead C+ seat 13F there's a woman settled in. Feet up on the bulkhead. She pays me no attention as I obviously stand there holding my ticket staring at her. After a few moments I let her know she's in my seat. She says nothing but shakes her head and flashes her ticket at me. She's in the wrong seat. E not F, just across the aisle. I let her know that and she remains silent as she just stares at me. Rather then rip into her about how a woman her age should be able to read I just say "I'll take your seat then" and settle in. Not a word from her as she goes back to poking away at her phone.
Dec 5, 2015, 12:06 pm
#546
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: MSP
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Posts: 12,159
Which I'd consider evidence that she didn't intend to pay. She didn't offer collateral, did she?
Dec 5, 2015, 12:15 pm
#547
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: MSP
Programs: Delta PM, Marriott Plat, Hertz Pres
Posts: 3,649
I slightly prefer F just because it's a row of 2 aisle rather then a row of 3 aisle. It's a minuscule difference so not enough to make me fight for it
Last edited by xolinlevh; Dec 7, 2015 at 2:07 am
Dec 5, 2015, 12:19 pm
#548
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
Agree it's a tiny difference. But it's one of two aisles on the row of 3, rather than the only in a row of 2. And the seat next to it is a middle rather than a window, so more likely to be empty.
Dec 7, 2015, 4:13 pm
#549
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,808
Here's my system for swaps:
IF you poached the seat before I got there, THEN NO
IF you are an adult couple that does not want to be apart, THEN NO
IF you are separated due to Ops, THEN NO
IF you simply don't like what you got, THEN NO
IF you make some excuse about your medical condition, THEN NO
IF you ask politely, THEN NO..politely
IF you expect me to say yes because you are a priest/soldier in uniform/handicapped/an attractive female/elderly, THEN NO
IF you are the FA and requesting on behalf of someone else, but not ordering, THEN NO
IF you are offering a swap but will not show a boarding pass to demonstrate that the swap is not to some crappy economy middle seat, THEN NO
IF your swap request means an upgrade to biz or first for me, THEN YES
Flying twice a week for 10 years has shown me that swaps are simply a losing proposition. Even-steven swaps are not really a problem...until you start getting asked on every other flight. I just got sick of hearing it.
I don't care if you don't sit with your companions. I don't care about your family, I don't care about your back, bladder, knees, claustrophobia or fear of flying. I don't care if you need to get off to catch a connection.
And I don't care what other pax around me think of me for saying no. I will never see them again. Their opinion doesn't matter.
IF you poached the seat before I got there, THEN NO
IF you are an adult couple that does not want to be apart, THEN NO
IF you are separated due to Ops, THEN NO
IF you simply don't like what you got, THEN NO
IF you make some excuse about your medical condition, THEN NO
IF you ask politely, THEN NO..politely
IF you expect me to say yes because you are a priest/soldier in uniform/handicapped/an attractive female/elderly, THEN NO
IF you are the FA and requesting on behalf of someone else, but not ordering, THEN NO
IF you are offering a swap but will not show a boarding pass to demonstrate that the swap is not to some crappy economy middle seat, THEN NO
IF your swap request means an upgrade to biz or first for me, THEN YES
Flying twice a week for 10 years has shown me that swaps are simply a losing proposition. Even-steven swaps are not really a problem...until you start getting asked on every other flight. I just got sick of hearing it.
I don't care if you don't sit with your companions. I don't care about your family, I don't care about your back, bladder, knees, claustrophobia or fear of flying. I don't care if you need to get off to catch a connection.
And I don't care what other pax around me think of me for saying no. I will never see them again. Their opinion doesn't matter.
Last edited by Proudelitist; Dec 8, 2015 at 12:24 am
Dec 8, 2015, 5:34 am
#550
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: NYC
Programs: AADULtArer
Posts: 5,693
Here's my system for swaps:
IF you poached the seat before I got there, THEN NO
IF you are an adult couple that does not want to be apart, THEN NO
IF you are separated due to Ops, THEN NO
IF you simply don't like what you got, THEN NO
IF you make some excuse about your medical condition, THEN NO
IF you ask politely, THEN NO..politely
IF you expect me to say yes because you are a priest/soldier in uniform/handicapped/an attractive female/elderly, THEN NO
IF you are the FA and requesting on behalf of someone else, but not ordering, THEN NO
IF you are offering a swap but will not show a boarding pass to demonstrate that the swap is not to some crappy economy middle seat, THEN NO
IF your swap request means an upgrade to biz or first for me, THEN YES
Flying twice a week for 10 years has shown me that swaps are simply a losing proposition. Even-steven swaps are not really a problem...until you start getting asked on every other flight. I just got sick of hearing it.
I don't care if you don't sit with your companions. I don't care about your family, I don't care about your back, bladder, knees, claustrophobia or fear of flying. I don't care if you need to get off to catch a connection.
And I don't care what other pax around me think of me for saying no. I will never see them again. Their opinion doesn't matter.
IF you poached the seat before I got there, THEN NO
IF you are an adult couple that does not want to be apart, THEN NO
IF you are separated due to Ops, THEN NO
IF you simply don't like what you got, THEN NO
IF you make some excuse about your medical condition, THEN NO
IF you ask politely, THEN NO..politely
IF you expect me to say yes because you are a priest/soldier in uniform/handicapped/an attractive female/elderly, THEN NO
IF you are the FA and requesting on behalf of someone else, but not ordering, THEN NO
IF you are offering a swap but will not show a boarding pass to demonstrate that the swap is not to some crappy economy middle seat, THEN NO
IF your swap request means an upgrade to biz or first for me, THEN YES
Flying twice a week for 10 years has shown me that swaps are simply a losing proposition. Even-steven swaps are not really a problem...until you start getting asked on every other flight. I just got sick of hearing it.
I don't care if you don't sit with your companions. I don't care about your family, I don't care about your back, bladder, knees, claustrophobia or fear of flying. I don't care if you need to get off to catch a connection.
And I don't care what other pax around me think of me for saying no. I will never see them again. Their opinion doesn't matter.
Dec 9, 2015, 3:48 am
#551
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 585
Here's my system for swaps:
IF you poached the seat before I got there, THEN NO
IF you are an adult couple that does not want to be apart, THEN NO
IF you are separated due to Ops, THEN NO
IF you simply don't like what you got, THEN NO
IF you make some excuse about your medical condition, THEN NO
IF you ask politely, THEN NO..politely
IF you expect me to say yes because you are a priest/soldier in uniform/handicapped/an attractive female/elderly, THEN NO
IF you are the FA and requesting on behalf of someone else, but not ordering, THEN NO
IF you are offering a swap but will not show a boarding pass to demonstrate that the swap is not to some crappy economy middle seat, THEN NO
IF your swap request means an upgrade to biz or first for me, THEN YES
Flying twice a week for 10 years has shown me that swaps are simply a losing proposition. Even-steven swaps are not really a problem...until you start getting asked on every other flight. I just got sick of hearing it.
I don't care if you don't sit with your companions. I don't care about your family, I don't care about your back, bladder, knees, claustrophobia or fear of flying. I don't care if you need to get off to catch a connection.
And I don't care what other pax around me think of me for saying no. I will never see them again. Their opinion doesn't matter.
IF you poached the seat before I got there, THEN NO
IF you are an adult couple that does not want to be apart, THEN NO
IF you are separated due to Ops, THEN NO
IF you simply don't like what you got, THEN NO
IF you make some excuse about your medical condition, THEN NO
IF you ask politely, THEN NO..politely
IF you expect me to say yes because you are a priest/soldier in uniform/handicapped/an attractive female/elderly, THEN NO
IF you are the FA and requesting on behalf of someone else, but not ordering, THEN NO
IF you are offering a swap but will not show a boarding pass to demonstrate that the swap is not to some crappy economy middle seat, THEN NO
IF your swap request means an upgrade to biz or first for me, THEN YES
Flying twice a week for 10 years has shown me that swaps are simply a losing proposition. Even-steven swaps are not really a problem...until you start getting asked on every other flight. I just got sick of hearing it.
I don't care if you don't sit with your companions. I don't care about your family, I don't care about your back, bladder, knees, claustrophobia or fear of flying. I don't care if you need to get off to catch a connection.
And I don't care what other pax around me think of me for saying no. I will never see them again. Their opinion doesn't matter.
Dec 9, 2015, 7:23 am
#552
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: ATL
Programs: DL Scattered Smothered Covered Medallion, Some hotel & car stuff, Kroger Plus Card
Posts: 10,745
Here's my system for swaps:
IF you poached the seat before I got there, THEN NO
IF you are an adult couple that does not want to be apart, THEN NO
IF you are separated due to Ops, THEN NO
IF you simply don't like what you got, THEN NO
IF you make some excuse about your medical condition, THEN NO
IF you ask politely, THEN NO..politely
IF you expect me to say yes because you are a priest/soldier in uniform/handicapped/an attractive female/elderly, THEN NO
IF you are the FA and requesting on behalf of someone else, but not ordering, THEN NO
IF you are offering a swap but will not show a boarding pass to demonstrate that the swap is not to some crappy economy middle seat, THEN NO
IF your swap request means an upgrade to biz or first for me, THEN YES
Flying twice a week for 10 years has shown me that swaps are simply a losing proposition. Even-steven swaps are not really a problem...until you start getting asked on every other flight. I just got sick of hearing it.
I don't care if you don't sit with your companions. I don't care about your family, I don't care about your back, bladder, knees, claustrophobia or fear of flying. I don't care if you need to get off to catch a connection.
And I don't care what other pax around me think of me for saying no. I will never see them again. Their opinion doesn't matter.
IF you poached the seat before I got there, THEN NO
IF you are an adult couple that does not want to be apart, THEN NO
IF you are separated due to Ops, THEN NO
IF you simply don't like what you got, THEN NO
IF you make some excuse about your medical condition, THEN NO
IF you ask politely, THEN NO..politely
IF you expect me to say yes because you are a priest/soldier in uniform/handicapped/an attractive female/elderly, THEN NO
IF you are the FA and requesting on behalf of someone else, but not ordering, THEN NO
IF you are offering a swap but will not show a boarding pass to demonstrate that the swap is not to some crappy economy middle seat, THEN NO
IF your swap request means an upgrade to biz or first for me, THEN YES
Flying twice a week for 10 years has shown me that swaps are simply a losing proposition. Even-steven swaps are not really a problem...until you start getting asked on every other flight. I just got sick of hearing it.
I don't care if you don't sit with your companions. I don't care about your family, I don't care about your back, bladder, knees, claustrophobia or fear of flying. I don't care if you need to get off to catch a connection.
And I don't care what other pax around me think of me for saying no. I will never see them again. Their opinion doesn't matter.
You were the only person who has ever refused to switch your middle for an aisle in the same row. As it is absolutely your right to decline, we stayed in our assigned seats and it didn't come up again.
Don't worry, the 2.5 hours of Mrs. Lee and I talking to each other in 11A/11C with you being grumpy in 11B was awkward for us, too. We still joke about it to this day.
Dec 9, 2015, 8:03 am
#553
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: SEA
Programs: Delta TDK(or care)WIA, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,869
Dec 9, 2015, 9:12 am
#554
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: MCO
Programs: DL-DM/1MM, HILTON-DIA, .HYATT-DIA/GLOB , IHG-PLT,HERTZ 5*, NATIONAL ES
Posts: 8,691
Here's my system for swaps:
IF you poached the seat before I got there, THEN NO
IF you are an adult couple that does not want to be apart, THEN NO
IF you are separated due to Ops, THEN NO
IF you simply don't like what you got, THEN NO
IF you make some excuse about your medical condition, THEN NO
IF you ask politely, THEN NO..politely
IF you expect me to say yes because you are a priest/soldier in uniform/handicapped/an attractive female/elderly, THEN NO
IF you are the FA and requesting on behalf of someone else, but not ordering, THEN NO
IF you are offering a swap but will not show a boarding pass to demonstrate that the swap is not to some crappy economy middle seat, THEN NO
IF your swap request means an upgrade to biz or first for me, THEN YES
Flying twice a week for 10 years has shown me that swaps are simply a losing proposition. Even-steven swaps are not really a problem...until you start getting asked on every other flight. I just got sick of hearing it.
I don't care if you don't sit with your companions. I don't care about your family, I don't care about your back, bladder, knees, claustrophobia or fear of flying. I don't care if you need to get off to catch a connection.
And I don't care what other pax around me think of me for saying no. I will never see them again. Their opinion doesn't matter.
IF you poached the seat before I got there, THEN NO
IF you are an adult couple that does not want to be apart, THEN NO
IF you are separated due to Ops, THEN NO
IF you simply don't like what you got, THEN NO
IF you make some excuse about your medical condition, THEN NO
IF you ask politely, THEN NO..politely
IF you expect me to say yes because you are a priest/soldier in uniform/handicapped/an attractive female/elderly, THEN NO
IF you are the FA and requesting on behalf of someone else, but not ordering, THEN NO
IF you are offering a swap but will not show a boarding pass to demonstrate that the swap is not to some crappy economy middle seat, THEN NO
IF your swap request means an upgrade to biz or first for me, THEN YES
Flying twice a week for 10 years has shown me that swaps are simply a losing proposition. Even-steven swaps are not really a problem...until you start getting asked on every other flight. I just got sick of hearing it.
I don't care if you don't sit with your companions. I don't care about your family, I don't care about your back, bladder, knees, claustrophobia or fear of flying. I don't care if you need to get off to catch a connection.
And I don't care what other pax around me think of me for saying no. I will never see them again. Their opinion doesn't matter.
Dec 9, 2015, 9:23 am
#555
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,417
That's my experience too. Combine this with rudeness or just taking over my seat without asking and my answer is NO (with no reason or apology) unless I'm sure that I'm getting a better seat. If it's so important to sit with your entire family, PAY FOR IT and don't try to inconvenience me.