FlyerTalk Forums - seat assignment switch-a-roo

family and I returned from vacation today, and we had checked in ahead of time and selected our seats. upon arrival at the departure airport, I asked about the possibility of a status upgrade for at least one of us, and was told I was #xx on the list. Went to the departure gate and asked about any "bump" opportunities and was told there could be some, not sure yet. After some time, was paged to the desk and thought "gee, maybe a bump!!" but instead, she asked if I had boarding passes and said some had been printed out for me. Since I had used the "print boarding passes by fax" option at nwa.com and the hotel's fax machine was low on toner, I figured what the heck and took the new passes. I did not look them over... my fault...

When it came time to board, I found that instead of 23 a-c and 24 a-c we now had 42 a-b-c-d... the last row in the airplane and right next to the stinky toilet. Gee thanks northwest, that's what it pays to have status with you guys I guess.

There was of course an equipment change and the 23 or 24 row were exits and I had minor children with me, hence the change I guess. But why a change to nearly the worst seats in the plane? Gee at least they kept us all together. But really, if you're going to screw with someone and not let them know, at least improve their situation, right?

Has this happened to anyone before? What sort of resolution did you get if you chose to deal with customer relations?

Fortunately, it was a short flight.

+ side of the whole deal, did get 1 upgrade on the way out and gave that to my wife. 'cept for the nearly-annual hawaii hajj she doesn't usually get to sit up there.