More seat swapping/poaching fun!
Oct 18, 2018, 9:26 am
#151
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: New York
Programs: SPG LT Gold, DL PM 1MM
Posts: 692
Strong dislike and I've had quite a few on long haul economy flights.
I think some pax don't realize that not all seats are equal; e.g., got asked to move back to a regular economy seat out of economy comfort or on a 777 got asked to switch to "another aisle seat" but it was the window side aisle vs. middle aisle (4x more likely to be asked to get up for your neighbors to go to the toilet...)
Most annoying one was where a mother with an infant in lap threatened me that the baby would scream all night if I didn't give up my (bulkhead) seat to her husband who was a few rows back in the middle seat.
I must admit I have annoyed other F pax after getting 2 upgrades myself...
At the same time I've gone up to a pax on a TATL flight in an economy exit row with the question "would you mind switching seats", met with great annoyance and a "uhm no" coming up, before telling them "are you sure, it's in delta one"... quite funny to see people change their mind that quickly
I think some pax don't realize that not all seats are equal; e.g., got asked to move back to a regular economy seat out of economy comfort or on a 777 got asked to switch to "another aisle seat" but it was the window side aisle vs. middle aisle (4x more likely to be asked to get up for your neighbors to go to the toilet...)
Most annoying one was where a mother with an infant in lap threatened me that the baby would scream all night if I didn't give up my (bulkhead) seat to her husband who was a few rows back in the middle seat.
I must admit I have annoyed other F pax after getting 2 upgrades myself...
At the same time I've gone up to a pax on a TATL flight in an economy exit row with the question "would you mind switching seats", met with great annoyance and a "uhm no" coming up, before telling them "are you sure, it's in delta one"... quite funny to see people change their mind that quickly
Oct 18, 2018, 9:47 am
#153
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: MEM
Programs: Starbucks Green Card
Posts: 5,431
lol at this "asking = imposing" canard AGAIN
Oct 18, 2018, 9:55 am
#155
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 410
Oh man this irritates me to no end. I choose my aisle seat specifically because I don't like being blocked in if I need to use the restroom and I just prefer Aisle. Walking to the gate on a recent AS flight I received a push notification that they had changed my seat to a window. When I asked the gate agent to explain why my seat had been changed they were "trying to accommodate a couple who wanted to sit together" it was a relatively short flight and if it was a family I might be more sympathetic but not for 2 adults who can't bare to spend 90 minutes apart, really? I asked them to put me back in an aisle seat. They were a little miffed when I asked but thankfully they found me an aisle seat.
Oct 18, 2018, 10:08 am
#157
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: PHX, SEA
Programs: Avis President's Club, Global Entry, Hilton/Marriott Gold. No more DL/AA status.
Posts: 4,421
I've never minded when a couple wants to sit aisle/window leaving a random person in the middle, but then you need to respect the middle seat and not be trying to chat the whole flight or pass things back and forth a bunch. (Not you specifically, but anyone who does this) It's already bad enough sitting in the middle, no need to compound the misery by talking over someone for possibly multiple hours.
Oct 18, 2018, 10:42 am
#158
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 13
Am I the only one sick of being asked to swich my seat?
Sorry I booked an aisle seat because I want an aisle seat and I do not to switch it for a window seat!
Yes I understand there are times like if a child needs to sit with his parents I understand however I am being asked too many times to switch my seat!
Sorry I booked an aisle seat because I want an aisle seat and I do not to switch it for a window seat!
Yes I understand there are times like if a child needs to sit with his parents I understand however I am being asked too many times to switch my seat!
Oct 18, 2018, 4:45 pm
#159
Join Date: Jul 2009
Programs: none
Posts: 1,668
For those getting wound up about a seat swap - recommend this read. Yes, it's perfectly fine to decline but just don't be a rude about it.
https://www.amazon.com/Dont-Sweat-Sm.../dp/B000FC1VX8
https://www.amazon.com/Dont-Sweat-Sm.../dp/B000FC1VX8
Oct 18, 2018, 4:56 pm
#160
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: MSP
Programs: DL MM (thanks PMNW!), DL PM, UA PLT, just about every darn hotel program-generally GOLD type level
Posts: 783
I don't mind if asked politely and being asked to trade like-for-like. Have an upcoming flight with Mrs. Lee where her ticket was booked much later, and there weren't two seats together anymore. So, I'll be asking 25C if they'd be okay trading for my 24C. Same aisle, one row up, and they can recline into me all they'd like. If they say no, then I guess we'll try 24A for 25A, or we'll just fly apart.
But I'd much rather have someone ask me than just show up and have them all settled into my seat because they wanted to be with their spouse, friend, coworker, emotional support rabbit, whatever, and then point me to their middle seat 75 rows back.
But I'd much rather have someone ask me than just show up and have them all settled into my seat because they wanted to be with their spouse, friend, coworker, emotional support rabbit, whatever, and then point me to their middle seat 75 rows back.
Oct 18, 2018, 7:54 pm
#161
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: California
Programs: DeltaSilver/MM, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 494
Usually when I ask to switch seats people are happy to do it. That happens when I am on aisle and my wife has window. They are in the middle seat. How many people here would mind if I asked to switch into their middle seat?
Oct 18, 2018, 8:14 pm
#162
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: San Antonio
Programs: DL DM, Former AA EXP now AY Plat, AC 75K, NW Plat, Former CO Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 27,040
It's only imposing if they believe/behave like you have to accept. Simply asking isn't imposing. You've been clear in past you'd rather spite yourself (by not accepting a move Y to F/J) simply because they dared asked. If you're really that bothered by a simple request then flying private is for you. A simple no is is all that is required and ignore them the few times someone continues to ask.
Last edited by flyerCO; Oct 18, 2018 at 9:06 pm
Oct 18, 2018, 9:00 pm
#163
Join Date: Oct 2018
Programs: Delta marriott
Posts: 30
Your original post led me to think the same people were recurringly asking you on subsequent flights. Sounds like it's individuals who don't know each other, hence no conspiracy.
As already suggested, simply take your seat and avoid eye contact or polite smiling until taxiing. If you feel you're attracting too many requests, there's something else going on. Or, with further contemplation, is this a cry for free seat reservations on all commercial airlines?
As already suggested, simply take your seat and avoid eye contact or polite smiling until taxiing. If you feel you're attracting too many requests, there's something else going on. Or, with further contemplation, is this a cry for free seat reservations on all commercial airlines?
Wooo my post being a cry for free seat reservations does not even make sense? If I did not want my assigned seat I would be flying southwest. First of all I would like to thank everyone for their comments and even the negative comments. I am sorry to offend PVN as I am new to the forum and I did not know about the thread that PVN started. I am only allowed 5 replies in 24 hours and I am not sure if this is because I am new or if the 5 reply rule applies to everyone?
I will try the headphone trick maybe that will work to avoid uncomfortable situations with strangers on a plane. All of us are different and there are many of us who do not like confrontation and will switch without wanting to just do avoid an unpleasant situation with the peron who asked.
What I do not understand is if it is so important to sit next to each other and that it would be so terrible to be seperated for a couple hours why not book seats together or call Delta and ask them to find seats together and if that don’t work then ask the gate agent? Why bother complete strangers with requests to switch seats? I am sitting in the aisle seat because that is the seat I want to sit in I do not want the middle or window seat.
I have been with Delta for about 7 years and fly about 150,000 a year mostly domestic so I am on a plane almost every week and this year has been the worst with all the request for seat switching and it isn’t me being asked to switch I hear customers asking in the rows behind me.
I will try the headphone trick maybe that will work to avoid uncomfortable situations with strangers on a plane. All of us are different and there are many of us who do not like confrontation and will switch without wanting to just do avoid an unpleasant situation with the peron who asked.
What I do not understand is if it is so important to sit next to each other and that it would be so terrible to be seperated for a couple hours why not book seats together or call Delta and ask them to find seats together and if that don’t work then ask the gate agent? Why bother complete strangers with requests to switch seats? I am sitting in the aisle seat because that is the seat I want to sit in I do not want the middle or window seat.
I have been with Delta for about 7 years and fly about 150,000 a year mostly domestic so I am on a plane almost every week and this year has been the worst with all the request for seat switching and it isn’t me being asked to switch I hear customers asking in the rows behind me.
Oct 18, 2018, 9:04 pm
#164
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: AA Exec Plat, DL Plat (but not for long)
Posts: 175
I've been asked a lot of times and it does irritate me a little. I have agreed to switch seats about half the time and declined about half the time. I really like bulkhead seats because I can work on the laptop with nobody leaning back on me so I'm not likely to give up that seat if I plan on working. I also prefer aisle seats and will not give up my seat unless it is another aisle seat.
Don't be afraid to say no.
Don't be afraid to say no.
Oct 18, 2018, 9:55 pm
#165
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: San Antonio
Programs: DL DM, Former AA EXP now AY Plat, AC 75K, NW Plat, Former CO Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 27,040
Wooo my post being a cry for free seat reservations does not even make sense? If I did not want my assigned seat I would be flying southwest. First of all I would like to thank everyone for their comments and even the negative comments. I am sorry to offend PVN as I am new to the forum and I did not know about the thread that PVN started. I am only allowed 5 replies in 24 hours and I am not sure if this is because I am new or if the 5 reply rule applies to everyone?
I will try the headphone trick maybe that will work to avoid uncomfortable situations with strangers on a plane. All of us are different and there are many of us who do not like confrontation and will switch without wanting to just do avoid an unpleasant situation with the peron who asked.
What I do not understand is if it is so important to sit next to each other and that it would be so terrible to be seperated for a couple hours why not book seats together or call Delta and ask them to find seats together and if that don’t work then ask the gate agent? Why bother complete strangers with requests to switch seats? I am sitting in the aisle seat because that is the seat I want to sit in I do not want the middle or window seat.
I have been with Delta for about 7 years and fly about 150,000 a year mostly domestic so I am on a plane almost every week and this year has been the worst with all the request for seat switching and it isn’t me being asked to switch I hear customers asking in the rows behind me.
I will try the headphone trick maybe that will work to avoid uncomfortable situations with strangers on a plane. All of us are different and there are many of us who do not like confrontation and will switch without wanting to just do avoid an unpleasant situation with the peron who asked.
What I do not understand is if it is so important to sit next to each other and that it would be so terrible to be seperated for a couple hours why not book seats together or call Delta and ask them to find seats together and if that don’t work then ask the gate agent? Why bother complete strangers with requests to switch seats? I am sitting in the aisle seat because that is the seat I want to sit in I do not want the middle or window seat.
I have been with Delta for about 7 years and fly about 150,000 a year mostly domestic so I am on a plane almost every week and this year has been the worst with all the request for seat switching and it isn’t me being asked to switch I hear customers asking in the rows behind me.