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
Apr 6, 2017, 1:21 pm
#1021
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: MEM
Programs: Starbucks Green Card
Posts: 5,431
I would literally laugh at anyone that used some passive aggressive device like that. If you want to use a clipboard or your laptop to deny yourself the armrest, that's cool, but if you're going to actually attach a purpose-built device to "solve" a "problem" that can 99% of the time be resolved with a simple request to your seatmate, then you deserve to be made fun of.
Apr 6, 2017, 2:51 pm
#1022
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: SFO
Programs: Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat
Posts: 756
I would literally laugh at anyone that used some passive aggressive device like that. If you want to use a clipboard or your laptop to deny yourself the armrest, that's cool, but if you're going to actually attach a purpose-built device to "solve" a "problem" that can 99% of the time be resolved with a simple request to your seatmate, then you deserve to be made fun of.
As the saying goes, if it looks stupid but works, it's not stupid.
Apr 6, 2017, 3:12 pm
#1023
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 17,457
I would literally laugh at anyone that used some passive aggressive device like that. If you want to use a clipboard or your laptop to deny yourself the armrest, that's cool, but if you're going to actually attach a purpose-built device to "solve" a "problem" that can 99% of the time be resolved with a simple request to your seatmate, then you deserve to be made fun of.
But still I'd rather hear you laughing than get your chicken wing poking me in my ribs.
Apr 6, 2017, 3:19 pm
#1024
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Atherton, CA
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP; Owner, Green Bay Packers
Posts: 21,690
Enjoy your trek through security, Howste. 
I actually saw some joker with similar heavy metal gear on pants, shirt, jacket, ears, lips, tongue trying to go through once. He'd been there 7 minutes of so by the time I got through, and they were still wanding him after several iterations of removals.
I actually saw some joker with similar heavy metal gear on pants, shirt, jacket, ears, lips, tongue trying to go through once. He'd been there 7 minutes of so by the time I got through, and they were still wanding him after several iterations of removals.
Apr 8, 2017, 1:14 am
#1025
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Yiron, Israel
Programs: Bates Motel Plat
Posts: 68,928
Apr 8, 2017, 6:48 am
#1026
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Treasure Coast, FL
Programs: DL Diamond, Marriott LT Plat, HH Diamond, Avis Preferred Plus, National Executive
Posts: 4,578
I was an inadvertent seat poacher last night. Sat in 1C on an MD88 and was actually in 1D. I was in 1C on the previous flight as well and just had a brain fart.
Lady boarded after me in 1C and said she prefers the window and asked if she coud take it. She actually thanked me for poaching her seat.
Lady boarded after me in 1C and said she prefers the window and asked if she coud take it. She actually thanked me for poaching her seat.
Apr 22, 2017, 1:16 pm
#1028
Join Date: Jan 2010
Programs: AA Plat 2MM/UA G MM/DL MM DM 2015/BA Silver/Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 3,103
I would literally laugh at anyone that used some passive aggressive device like that. If you want to use a clipboard or your laptop to deny yourself the armrest, that's cool, but if you're going to actually attach a purpose-built device to "solve" a "problem" that can 99% of the time be resolved with a simple request to your seatmate, then you deserve to be made fun of.
Apr 23, 2017, 5:50 pm
#1029
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: YVR
Programs: AC Aeroplan,Delta Skymiles, Avion
Posts: 451
I am 62 and DH is 65 we don't consider us OLD .. I chuckle when I read a headline such as Elderly woman mugged and then read the article and find out this elderly woman is 63 years old...Newspaper journalists must be kids LOL
PS for the record we would never try to use our advanced age to switch out of a middle seat....To keep parents with small children together I will always switch my seat to wherever
PS for the record we would never try to use our advanced age to switch out of a middle seat....To keep parents with small children together I will always switch my seat to wherever
Apr 27, 2017, 2:57 pm
#1030
Join Date: Nov 2005
Programs: Delta PM, Marriott Plat
Posts: 242
Had an exit aisle. The guy next to me politely but firmly ask me to swap seats with his wife and the FA nods her head and says it would be nice of me. I was flummoxed just for a second and replied that I liked my seat but that I was sure his wife's seat mate would have no problem switch with him. His brazen reply was I am not sitting back there. I replied neither am I.
Apr 27, 2017, 3:05 pm
#1031
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 3,394
Had an exit aisle. The guy next to me politely but firmly ask me to swap seats with his wife and the FA nods her head and says it would be nice of me. I was flummoxed just for a second and replied that I liked my seat but that I was sure his wife's seat mate would have no problem switch with him. His brazen reply was I am not sitting back there. I replied neither am I.
Good on you for keeping your seat and standing your ground.
My guess is the FA was hoping you'd comply to stop the DYKWIA from blowing his top.
Apr 27, 2017, 3:11 pm
#1032
Join Date: Sep 2013
Programs: DL PM, 1MM, DL SC, Kimpton Inner Circle
Posts: 2,416
jascp: so what happened -- did everyone remain in their assigned seats?
Apr 27, 2017, 3:30 pm
#1033
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 3,394
I wouldn't appreciate it either. But I do appreciate that the FA just wants no (outward) complaints and an on time departure. She probably sized up that he wouldn't make nearly as big a fuss as the guy demanding the swap...IME people who are that brazen are also likely to have a very short fuse to people refusing their "requests". Then you have problems and especially since now everyone's looking to make everything that happens on a plane go viral, they need to be extra cautious.
Apr 27, 2017, 7:13 pm
#1034
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Earth. Residency:HKG formerly:YYZ
Programs: CX, DL, Nexus/GE, APEC
Posts: 10,689
I wouldn't appreciate it either. But I do appreciate that the FA just wants no (outward) complaints and an on time departure. She probably sized up that he wouldn't make nearly as big a fuss as the guy demanding the swap...IME people who are that brazen are also likely to have a very short fuse to people refusing their "requests". Then you have problems and especially since now everyone's looking to make everything that happens on a plane go viral, they need to be extra cautious.
They are making a choice to mistreat the passenger who would offer the lease resistance.
May 5, 2017, 12:37 pm
#1035
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: MEM
Programs: DL DM, Hilton Gold, Marriott/SPG Gold, Hertz PC
Posts: 424
Woman on my flight yesterday took my colleague's seat in F. She was just sitting there wrapped up in the blanket. When I told her I believed that was my colleague's seat (he had aisle, and I had the window, so I got there first), she simply stood up and said she just thought she would sit there and didn't really know where her seat was. She was not in F and after talking to the FA for several minutes, she made the walk to someplace in the back of the bus. It was an odd situation. She didn't seem mentally unstable -- just thought she could sit wherever she wanted. But she boarded with PREM, so she was either a DM or the GA just let her go when she approached the podium.