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, 12:30 pm
#106
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: BDU
Programs: DL:MM, Marriott:LTT
Posts: 8,779
True story: Evander Holyfield tried that with me, but I refused to give him the aisle seat he was claiming was his and made him sit in his assigned window seat.
Jul 26, 2012, 12:30 pm
#107
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Bye Delta
Programs: AA EXP, HH Diamond, IHG Plat, Hyatt Plat, Marriott Plat, Nat'l Exec Elite, Avis Presidents Club
Posts: 16,278
Jul 26, 2012, 12:33 pm
#108
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Toledo, OH
Programs: Delta DM & MM, Hilton DM, Marriott gold, Hyatt Globalist, Alaska 75K, Wyndham Diamond,
Posts: 15,399
Everybody can calm down a bit, I didn't say that it was the "end of the world" if we didn't sit together... just wondering what your thoughts were.
Man, I miss the old days when this site was about travel and sharing ideas and thoughts and NOT attacking anyone that had a different opinion.
Man, I miss the old days when this site was about travel and sharing ideas and thoughts and NOT attacking anyone that had a different opinion.
And if someone declined your request to switch seats, like most flyers I am sure you would be polite about it.But I have people get pi*sy with me in the past if I wouldn't switch seats with them or their spouse. I refuse to trade an aisle for a non-aisle and an exit row reclining seat for a non-exit row. If someone ask me to switch seat 3b for 3c, then I'll be happy to trade seats. I just prefer an aisle seat and I am not going to changes seats if the new seat is a less desirable seat.
Jul 26, 2012, 12:45 pm
#109
Join Date: May 2012
Location: MSP
Programs: Delta Skymile DM, Marriott Platinum, PC Gold, Avis Chairman's Club, National EE
Posts: 728
Although this was in coach #2 happened to me on Sunday. The seat was 100% equivilent, and I took the other seat. I will say I was a bit torqued about it however. If she would have been seated in her seat and she asked me, I would have said yes.
She never did say "thank you" for the shift either.
[QUOTE=javabytes;19005664]Just ask the people sitting in those seats if they would be willing to accommodate you sitting together. When someone asks me, I almost always switch, unless:
2. They get on board before me and sit down in my seat first and then ask me to switch
She never did say "thank you" for the shift either.
[QUOTE=javabytes;19005664]Just ask the people sitting in those seats if they would be willing to accommodate you sitting together. When someone asks me, I almost always switch, unless:
2. They get on board before me and sit down in my seat first and then ask me to switch
Jul 26, 2012, 12:58 pm
#110
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Either at the shooting range or anywhere good beer can be found...
Posts: 51,059
Is this really a burden? Are we that antisocial that fielding a simple polite request is too great an annoyance to manage?
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.
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.
I generally select my seats for a specific reason. I generally want left side, aisle, due to issues with my right knee. Why should I sit in pain for 2 hours, so someone can sit next to someone else, when they had that option, by declining the upgrade?
Jul 26, 2012, 1:04 pm
#111
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Orange County, CA, USA
Programs: AA (Life Plat), Marriott (Life Titanium) and every other US program
Posts: 6,411
I am not saying that sitting together is a right. But I have also had people who prefer a window, or an aisle, ask if I would be willing to change. I am not offended at the request, and I don't consider the request to be out of line, even though I usually say "no, thank you."
Jul 26, 2012, 1:07 pm
#112
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Orange County, CA, USA
Programs: AA (Life Plat), Marriott (Life Titanium) and every other US program
Posts: 6,411
Jul 26, 2012, 1:51 pm
#113
Join Date: Nov 2011
Programs: DL DM, AA Platinum (Life), Emirates Gold,GHA Black
Posts: 451
Jul 26, 2012, 2:00 pm
#114
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: ATL
Programs: Marriott Platinum, Delta Kryptonium Medallion, National Executive
Posts: 1,889
Jul 26, 2012, 2:53 pm
#115
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,353
My understanding is that award tickets aren't really "non-rev" as such; they are part of what you paid for while flying to earn the miles in the first place. An award ticket certainly can be treated appropriately when fare status comes into play for meal choices, changes allowed, etc, but it's a "revenue" ticket in general, and not subject to the special behavior guidelines above.
To the OP's question, I too find it hard to find the right words and tone to ask something like this politely when I don't want to come off as demanding -- something like "I was wondering if you would be willing to switch with my wife right there?" with a smile and a pleasant "of course I understand; no problem" if refused.
Jul 26, 2012, 3:42 pm
#116
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: UA GS>1K>Nothing; DL DM 2MM; AS 75K>Nothing>MVP
Posts: 9,341
If you ask politely, someone you will usually switch. I do it all the time when I get assigned to the seat next to my wife.
Jul 26, 2012, 3:44 pm
#117
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Either at the shooting range or anywhere good beer can be found...
Posts: 51,059
If I rewrite your quote as "I agree. Sitting in a window instead of an aisle for a short flight is not a big deal. It's great that you might have reasons for the aisle, but why burden other passeners for this?" (or substitute any other seat preference)
I am not saying that sitting together is a right. But I have also had people who prefer a window, or an aisle, ask if I would be willing to change. I am not offended at the request, and I don't consider the request to be out of line, even though I usually say "no, thank you."
I am not saying that sitting together is a right. But I have also had people who prefer a window, or an aisle, ask if I would be willing to change. I am not offended at the request, and I don't consider the request to be out of line, even though I usually say "no, thank you."
In the DL forum, discussion on moderation is permitted in a designated thread. Why can't the OP ask the mdoerators to lock the thread he started?
Jul 26, 2012, 4:25 pm
#118
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Orange County, CA, USA
Programs: AA (Life Plat), Marriott (Life Titanium) and every other US program
Posts: 6,411
Jul 26, 2012, 5:04 pm
#119
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: SEA
Programs: NW PLAT DL PLAT 1mm
Posts: 24
This was in the NY Times a few weeks ago - Etiquette vs. Entitlement in a Scramble for Seats http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/10/bu...ref=joesharkey
Jul 26, 2012, 5:26 pm
#120
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2008
Location: CHA, MAN;
Programs: Delta DM 1 MM; Hz PC
Posts: 11,169
If I was asked, I would have no problem swapping.