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 26, 2012, 9:38 am
#76
Join Date: Jul 2006
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How does the FA know award from cash-paid tickets? Even an award seat has been paid for, sometimes quite handsomely. *Non-revs* on the other hand should sit down and shut up.
If the wife is hott she might get hit upon a lot? Or the hubby is hott? ..... 
Jul 26, 2012, 9:47 am
#77
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An alternative is that if you're that concerned about sitting together, refuse the upgrades and take your original seats in coach, which I'm assuming were next to each other.
Jul 26, 2012, 9:50 am
#78
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 644
I forgot to add, look tough angry and talk like Mr. T
I pity the fool!
I pity the fool!
Jul 26, 2012, 10:04 am
#79
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There actually are people who want a window. It never hurts to politely ask the two aisle people. If they say "no" drop it and be polite.
Jul 26, 2012, 10:11 am
#80
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Chicago
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My wife and I both GM get upgraded at the gate often for the LGA-ATL flights and are not sitting together. We board and I let my wife do all the talking...she just very nicely ask the other person to switch whether its an aisle or window, and they always do. Obviously having an aisle to bargain with is better though.
And yes, some LGA-ATL flights do have meal service even though its under the published mile amounts.
And yes, some LGA-ATL flights do have meal service even though its under the published mile amounts.
Jul 26, 2012, 10:29 am
#81
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If a good-looking lass offered me "compensation" I'd switch... but payment would be due in advance. 
Jul 26, 2012, 10:33 am
#82
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My wife and I both GM get upgraded at the gate often for the LGA-ATL flights and are not sitting together. We board and I let my wife do all the talking...she just very nicely ask the other person to switch whether its an aisle or window, and they always do. Obviously having an aisle to bargain with is better though.
And yes, some LGA-ATL flights do have meal service even though its under the published mile amounts.
And yes, some LGA-ATL flights do have meal service even though its under the published mile amounts.
Jul 26, 2012, 10:39 am
#83
Join Date: Jul 2007
Programs: DL Plat, HH Diamond
Posts: 12
I agree. Sitting apart for a short flight is not the end of your relationship. It's great that you want to sit together, but why burden other passengers for this?
An alternative is that if you're that concerned about sitting together, refuse the upgrades and take your original seats in coach, which I'm assuming were next to each other.
An alternative is that if you're that concerned about sitting together, refuse the upgrades and take your original seats in coach, which I'm assuming were next to each other.
Don't feel bad about asking, and don't be hurt if the person in the seat says no. I've seen FAs facilitate the request as well.
I travel a lot, my wife doesn't. One of the great things about when I get to travel with her is sharing the experience. I'm actually getting to spend some time with her.
Do yourself a favor and try putting forth a *tiny* bit of effort to make other people happy. It's good for you.
Jul 26, 2012, 10:43 am
#84
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The correct thing to do is have your wife start crying and show some tears.
Jul 26, 2012, 10:44 am
#85
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My order of F seat's desirability: aisle, window, aisle bulkhead and least window bulkhead. This seems to be the same for a majority of F flyers.
Re seat swap request: I am batting 0 and my wife is batting 100%, Wonder why?
Re seat swap request: I am batting 0 and my wife is batting 100%, Wonder why?
Jul 26, 2012, 10:54 am
#86
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Agree on your priority list. I will swap an aisle for an aisle (non bulkhead) at any time. I will swap an aisle for a window if approached nicely for a short flight. For a long flight, I will not give up my aisle seat, tears or not.
Jul 26, 2012, 10:54 am
#87
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Jul 26, 2012, 10:57 am
#88
Join Date: May 2001
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I agree with most of the posts. I always choose an aisle seat and do not like sitting next to the window. I get asking relatively often to switch; I normally do not, but will if the flight is short and I am getting a bulkhead window. One gentleman got especially surly with me; my response was "If it was so important for you to sit together, you should not have taken your free upgrade in the first place". That shut him up.
Jul 26, 2012, 11:03 am
#89
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As far as switching seats, I have no problem with it. I just don't like the bulkhead. I prefer the last window seat in F so that I can recline as much as I want without fear of bothering anyone. Because of this my seat is almost always available.
Jul 26, 2012, 11:09 am
#90
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But I agree-- asking nicely (without assuming or taking it first) usually works. Also this NPR article has some other strategies that work to get people to agree to a request:
http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2012...rsuasion-works
Personally I like the door-in-the-face approach