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Bulkhead Seating
I've been able to get bulkhead seating assigned ahead of time without a problem for the past few months since I got injured. Today, when I tried to get my seat, the agent told me that it was blocked and I could not get it until 24 hours beforehand. I told him that I realized if someone needed it more than I, I could be booted (which I've been told) but that I've been able to get it assigned. He said the FAA gave them very strict guidelines and that only quadripalegic or legally blind could be preassigned. This is the first time in probably 40 flights I've heard this. Does this seem correct? Thanks, in advance.
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which airline?
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Continental, but they told me it was FAA regs, not CO.
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That doesn't sound correct to me. Did you try the hang up and call again, to get a different agent, trick?
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No, but that is my plan after arming myself with additional info. I had been put in bulkhead aisle for three other flights earlier today so knew it wasn't right, just wanted to ensure it :)
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Here's the relevant part of the Air Carrier Access Act:
(b) A carrier that provides advance seat assignments shall comply with the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section by any of the following methods: (1) The carrier may “block” an adequate number of the seats used to provide the seating accommodations required by this section. (i) The carrier shall not assign these seats to passengers not needing seating accommodations provided under this paragraph until 24 hours before the scheduled departure of the flight. (ii) At any time up until 24 hours before the scheduled departure of the flight, the carrier shall assign a seat meeting the requirements of this section to an individual who requests it. (iii) If an individual with a disability does not make a request at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure of the flight, the carrier shall meet the individual’s request to the extent practicable, but is not required to reassign a seat assigned to another passenger in order to do so. (2) The carrier may designate an adequate number of the seats used to provide seating accommodations required by this section as “priority seats” for individuals with disabilities. (i) The carrier shall provide notice that all passengers assigned these seats (other than passengers with disabilities listed in paragraph (a) of this section) are subject to being reassigned to another seat if necessary to provide a seating accommodation required by this section. The carrier may provide this notice through its computer reservation system, verbal information provided by reservation personnel, ticket notices, gate announcements, counter signs, seat cards or notices, frequent-flier literature, or other appropriate means. (ii) The carrier shall assign a seat meeting the requirements of this section to an individual who requests the accommodation and checks in at least one hour before the scheduled departure of the flight. If all designated priority seats that would accommodate the individual have been assigned to other passengers, the carrier shall reassign the seats of the other passengers as needed to provide the requested accommodation. (iii) If the individual with a disability does not check in at least an hour before the scheduled departure of the flight, the carrier shall meet the individual’s request to the extent practicable, but is not required to reassign a seat assigned to another passenger in order to do so. Whenever I get a decent seat ahead of time BASED ON MY DISABILITY (rather than my status), I figure it's a fluke, not a right. |
Katja, thank you so much. I agree - it's not a right - just seemed strange that on three other flights today it was no problem, then all of a sudden it was. I requested the seat and said I completely understood that if there was someone who needed it more than I, I was happy to move. I'll call again and hope to get it. It's only a three hour flight, so if I don't get it, it won't be a big deal.
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Originally Posted by baglady
(Post 7276642)
Katja, thank you so much. I agree - it's not a right - just seemed strange that on three other flights today it was no problem, then all of a sudden it was. I requested the seat and said I completely understood that if there was someone who needed it more than I, I was happy to move. I'll call again and hope to get it. It's only a three hour flight, so if I don't get it, it won't be a big deal.
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Wow Katja!
Originally Posted by Katja
(Post 7276719)
You're welcome. The inconsistency of service is maddening, isn't it? I had an eye-opener when, after traveling by myself for an extended period of time, I went on a trip with my husband. The difference in how I was treated and the logistics of the trip (much worse) was astonishing.
When I travel with my up in years husband who isn't allowed to carry over 8 pounds, no one even offers to help us. |
Originally Posted by oldpenny16
(Post 7279047)
Worse with husband! So did the airlines expect him to do more so they could do less?
When I travel with my up in years husband who isn't allowed to carry over 8 pounds, no one even offers to help us. I absolutely got - I don't want to say better treatment, but more awareness from airline staff when traveling alone. As if they are so stunned that I would do this by myself they decide to help. If I'm with someone, that someone must be taking care of me. Or something like that. It was creepy. On the plane, the captain actually came out of the cockpit to lecture my husband on what we should have done better to inform the airline in advance that I was going to be there - this of course hit another one of my buttons, the one where, I swear, notifying the airline about anything in advance (or requesting anything in advance, like a bulkhead seat) has absolutely no correlation with getting it. Especially aisle chairs. It continues to boggle the mind that United cannot figure out that I need an aisle chair each and every time I fly. Nobody in India seems to even know what an aisle chair is, United can't be bothered to get GAs at the gate more than 20 minutes before departure, my profile says WCHC, and yet somehow, it is my fault that there is no aisle chair ordered. |
Katja, yes, creepy is a fine description of that feeling. My husband has a new wrinkle when we travel. He now says I'm the one in need of a little help. Most curious! I don't need help other than with baggage. His ego?
Keep up the good fight! |
WOW! This is eye opening! I will agree, I get probably the best treatment when I am alone (along with, "What, you're traveling alone?" or "You don't have anyone to help you?"), followed by travel with my husband AND my daughter (there was one time it was only my daughter and I traveling - they allowed my mom to go to the jetramp with me, they allowed my husband to come on to the plane and help me) and I think it's because they feel sorry for my husband having to deal with me and her (and a wheelchair, a stroller, and car seat to boot) and always offer to help him out.
We had some incredibly bad gate area service earlier this week and hubby went ballistic. I've never seen him like that. He's all of a sudden very protective of me. Katja, there is NO way the pilot should have lectured you. That is horrible! Have you contacted anyone at UA about the aisle chair situation? |
Originally Posted by baglady
(Post 7280707)
Katja, there is NO way the pilot should have lectured you. That is horrible! Have you contacted anyone at UA about the aisle chair situation?
There are a couple of gate agents in ABQ (my current constant destination) who recognize me and take care of it as soon as they see me, but that's about it. |
Originally Posted by Katja
(Post 7281813)
Oh, yes, boatloads of times. But there doesn't seem to be any way to institutionalize it.
There are a couple of gate agents in ABQ (my current constant destination) who recognize me and take care of it as soon as they see me, but that's about it. |
Originally Posted by baglady
(Post 7282915)
This makes me so angry!
Here's the good thing - the more wheelchair users get out and fly, the more normal it will all become. It's gotten so much better just in the last 5-10 years, I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. |
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