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
Jan 4, 2016, 4:59 pm
#661
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Here is how the etiquette should work in a civilized society: Take the seat you are given, shut up, and don't bother anyone else. Oh, and don't travel with kids unless you are fleeing a dictatorial regime or relocating for good.
If we all did that, the issue of how to refuse wouldn't be a problem. If there were no kids, the problems of self entitled parents being separated from their crotch fruit and demanding strangers accommodate them would be rare indeed.
If we all did that, the issue of how to refuse wouldn't be a problem. If there were no kids, the problems of self entitled parents being separated from their crotch fruit and demanding strangers accommodate them would be rare indeed.
Also, in my experience, seat poaching is much more commonly an issue with adult couples who want to sit together than it is with parents wanting to sit next to their children. I'm not familiar with the process, as it doesn't affect me at all, but I know there are all kinds of regulations about how a minor has to be seated next to a guardian unless he's unaccompanied or something. The gate agents can see all the tickets that belong to minors, so it's usually never an issue.
Oh and lastly, my father worked for Delta when I was young, so my brother and I grew up flying all the time, and we behaved just fine. There's nothing wrong with traveling with kids, as long as parents don't let them run wild in the airport or on the plane. Sure I've seen obnoxious children, but I've seen obnoxious adults, too, and I unfortunately can't stop them from flying either. I feel sorry for children who grow up never flying anywhere, because they're missing out on the invaluable experience of seeing other countries or remote parts of their own country.
Jan 5, 2016, 3:25 pm
#662
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Jan 5, 2016, 3:33 pm
#663
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Same for not having children. It is a choice but once has a child (or a cat/dog) then the parent (owner) is responsible for its behavior, upkeep and preventing them from annoying others.
Children are a part of life but shouldn't be unwilling forced on others. Same for adult behavior but adults are responsible for their own actions.
Jan 5, 2016, 3:37 pm
#664
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Jan 12, 2016, 11:11 am
#665
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Witnessed a funny one on WN this weekend:
Short flight from LAS to SAN. Near the end of boarding, when the high-C's are waddling aboard and there are only middles left along with NO overhead space, this young couple boards and the guy approaches the gentleman in the aisle seat infront of me and says "Would you mind moving? There are no double seats left".
The gentleman replies "Where?" and the guy says "Over there" pointing to an empty middle seat one row back
. Yet another person who thinks couples are more entitled to choice seats than solo pax.
The gentleman in the seat obviously replies with a shocked "No" and the guy's girlfriend looks mortified. I could hear the muffled snickering of everyone who heard the exchange. Nobody else offered to swap either.
Amazing that someone with a high C on a full flight would hope to sit with his partner, but more amazing that he would ask an A boarder to sit in the middle. Oh well..if you don't ask you don't get. Also, you don't get if you DO ask.
Short flight from LAS to SAN. Near the end of boarding, when the high-C's are waddling aboard and there are only middles left along with NO overhead space, this young couple boards and the guy approaches the gentleman in the aisle seat infront of me and says "Would you mind moving? There are no double seats left".
The gentleman replies "Where?" and the guy says "Over there" pointing to an empty middle seat one row back
. Yet another person who thinks couples are more entitled to choice seats than solo pax. The gentleman in the seat obviously replies with a shocked "No" and the guy's girlfriend looks mortified. I could hear the muffled snickering of everyone who heard the exchange. Nobody else offered to swap either.
Amazing that someone with a high C on a full flight would hope to sit with his partner, but more amazing that he would ask an A boarder to sit in the middle. Oh well..if you don't ask you don't get. Also, you don't get if you DO ask.
Jan 12, 2016, 6:05 pm
#666
Join Date: Feb 2015
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Witnessed a funny one on WN this weekend:
Short flight from LAS to SAN. Near the end of boarding, when the high-C's are waddling aboard and there are only middles left along with NO overhead space, this young couple boards and the guy approaches the gentleman in the aisle seat infront of me and says "Would you mind moving? There are no double seats left".
The gentleman replies "Where?" and the guy says "Over there" pointing to an empty middle seat one row back. Yet another person who thinks couples are more entitled to choice seats than solo pax.
The gentleman in the seat obviously replies with a shocked "No" and the guy's girlfriend looks mortified. I could hear the muffled snickering of everyone who heard the exchange. Nobody else offered to swap either.
Amazing that someone with a high C on a full flight would hope to sit with his partner, but more amazing that he would ask an A boarder to sit in the middle. Oh well..if you don't ask you don't get. Also, you don't get if you DO ask.
Short flight from LAS to SAN. Near the end of boarding, when the high-C's are waddling aboard and there are only middles left along with NO overhead space, this young couple boards and the guy approaches the gentleman in the aisle seat infront of me and says "Would you mind moving? There are no double seats left".
The gentleman replies "Where?" and the guy says "Over there" pointing to an empty middle seat one row back
. Yet another person who thinks couples are more entitled to choice seats than solo pax. The gentleman in the seat obviously replies with a shocked "No" and the guy's girlfriend looks mortified. I could hear the muffled snickering of everyone who heard the exchange. Nobody else offered to swap either.
Amazing that someone with a high C on a full flight would hope to sit with his partner, but more amazing that he would ask an A boarder to sit in the middle. Oh well..if you don't ask you don't get. Also, you don't get if you DO ask.
Jan 12, 2016, 6:11 pm
#667
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Seattle, WA
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Witnessed a funny one on WN this weekend:
Short flight from LAS to SAN. Near the end of boarding, when the high-C's are waddling aboard and there are only middles left along with NO overhead space, this young couple boards and the guy approaches the gentleman in the aisle seat infront of me and says "Would you mind moving? There are no double seats left".
The gentleman replies "Where?" and the guy says "Over there" pointing to an empty middle seat one row back. Yet another person who thinks couples are more entitled to choice seats than solo pax.
The gentleman in the seat obviously replies with a shocked "No" and the guy's girlfriend looks mortified. I could hear the muffled snickering of everyone who heard the exchange. Nobody else offered to swap either.
Amazing that someone with a high C on a full flight would hope to sit with his partner, but more amazing that he would ask an A boarder to sit in the middle. Oh well..if you don't ask you don't get. Also, you don't get if you DO ask.
Short flight from LAS to SAN. Near the end of boarding, when the high-C's are waddling aboard and there are only middles left along with NO overhead space, this young couple boards and the guy approaches the gentleman in the aisle seat infront of me and says "Would you mind moving? There are no double seats left".
The gentleman replies "Where?" and the guy says "Over there" pointing to an empty middle seat one row back
. Yet another person who thinks couples are more entitled to choice seats than solo pax. The gentleman in the seat obviously replies with a shocked "No" and the guy's girlfriend looks mortified. I could hear the muffled snickering of everyone who heard the exchange. Nobody else offered to swap either.
Amazing that someone with a high C on a full flight would hope to sit with his partner, but more amazing that he would ask an A boarder to sit in the middle. Oh well..if you don't ask you don't get. Also, you don't get if you DO ask.
Jan 12, 2016, 6:15 pm
#668
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But I probably wouldn't take it, unless (1) it were a very short flight, (b) neither person next to the middle seat was overweight, and (iii) at least one of the people next to the middle seat was a beautiful woman.
Jan 12, 2016, 8:55 pm
#669
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I think it is more polite to give the question some thought.
Jan 12, 2016, 9:49 pm
#670
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Jan 12, 2016, 9:52 pm
#671
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Jan 12, 2016, 10:34 pm
#672
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Jan 13, 2016, 6:08 am
#674
Join Date: May 2015
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I'd probably just chuckle, shake my head, and go back to my book/movie/whatever. (Thinking "kettle".)
Jan 13, 2016, 7:00 am
#675
Join Date: Feb 2015
Programs: DL DM 0.4MM
Posts: 330
Here is how the etiquette should work in a civilized society: Take the seat you are given, shut up, and don't bother anyone else. Oh, and don't travel with kids unless you are fleeing a dictatorial regime or relocating for good.
If we all did that, the issue of how to refuse wouldn't be a problem. If there were no kids, the problems of self entitled parents being separated from their crotch fruit and demanding strangers accommodate them would be rare indeed.
If we all did that, the issue of how to refuse wouldn't be a problem. If there were no kids, the problems of self entitled parents being separated from their crotch fruit and demanding strangers accommodate them would be rare indeed.