Forcing a Seat Assignment
 

I read in the Continental OnePass forum about a trick to get seats selected online that the system told you weren't available, and decided to try to do it on NW's seat selector.

It's really simple to accomplish. Hover over a seat that the system will let you choose, so you can copy the link location to get the syntax. Then paste it into the address bar, and change the seat location in the paste to the one you want, and hit enter.

I just did this to get myself one of the handicapped reserved seats. What does anyone think are the chances that NW will leave this alone, or will I get bumped?

Your chances are not too bad. I used to do that all the time (Im a programmer so I am good at finding tricks). In fact, a long time ago I was able to do that to change my seats to F when checking in if I knew exactly what seat was open (it would still only show my coach class though).

I think their programming is getting a little better because it has limited some of the tricks like getting a P seat 90 days in advance (not that it matters to me anymore!!!).

Gary

Isn't this something that can get you in trouble with NW? It sounds like something that could get someone on a "bad" list or something.

I've found that if you simply accept the assigned seats you're given at the time of your purchase, you can use your locator number immediately thereafter to call up your reservation and modify your seat assignments as you wish. Handicapped seats are selectable at that point, with no hacking required.

Just tried it. It doesn't work for Premium seats, so I assume they protected all they care to protect. After all, the agents can (and often do) put you in just about any seat anyway.

Just selected an exit row for a flight in December. Will report here if it changes.

"P" seats can be selected if you are Silver.Gold, or Plate Elite
 

To access the "P" seats you need to be an elite member of Worldperks. If you log in and are an elite member you may select a "P" seat, provided that you are already in FC.

RC

Every Fall, the trees are filled with underwear; Every Spring, the toilets explode!
 

I wonder if Northwest has their own "Dean Wormer" who will put you on "Double Secret Probation" for doing this . . .

The handicapped seats are reserved for gate assignment to those with disabilities. You will be fine unless someone checks in that is elderly, has trouble walking or has requested wheel chair assistance. If there is someone that is handicapped or disabled than the gate agent has every right to and most likely will move you to any availble Y seat to put the handicapped or disabled person and if they have a companion in those seats. If I were you I would hack into another seat. You might get to keep it, but how many flights have zero people in wheelchairs? Very, very few. That is why those seats are reserved and if assigned ahead of time are always subject to re-assingment.