karung99

Shamed on the guy who didn't switch his C for his wife

I had done that whenever I got upgraded and Karung99+1 didn't I will always take the lower class.

FA felt sorry and would bring sandwich, Melbac from C to Y for me

hfly

Just this morning I was in 1D on a long haul configured aircraft. There was a large man sitting in my seat talking to the guy in 1E. There was a FA right in front of us and I asked him which was 1D, He pointed to my seat and the large man said, "You can go sit in my seat 6F" more as an order. I simply said, "No, I don't think so, I reserved this seat because it has more legroom, I am tall and you are not". With a dismissive waive of his hand he said, "but I am sitting here next to my friend". My reply was, "as of 4:30 this morning there were several sets of seats available in the back of the cabin, so you could have reserved it, so now you can move back to your seat or ask someone else to move because I am not moving". The idiot then decided a different tack, "But I thought this seat was empty", to which I replied, "Then perhaps next time you should learn your lesson and wait until they finish boarding the aircraft".

He then said, 'but I asked you nicely", to which I said, "you actually until this moment did not ask anything, you waived your hand dismissively, you made several excuses and have acted like a totel ..., now get out of my seat!" He moved.

Global_Hi_Flyer

Maybe yours - but I'd not necessarily classify that as "most" these days.

Ours - a Fortune 100 - is >8 hours AND you need to work the day of arrival. Both conditions must be met. Otherwise, you're booked on "cheapest available", but you can upgrade if airline allows (which is why DL is my least favorite as you must be M class or above to UG.).

+1

pinniped

You're right, but I suspect if an FA felt like he/she was getting flack regarding this rule, he'd default back to a simple "sit where you're assigned" rule. That's easy and noncontroversial.

When my wife and I are split up (usually because my status yielded an upgrade and she was flying on miles or a DBCFREE), she sits in the premium seat and I sit in coach and we don't attempt to switch. Goes back to that "tranquility" thing...

bocastephen

I recall a similar story a few years back where some arrogant prick tried the same routine, although with less gentlemanly pleading.

I am amazed that people have the cojones to try a stunt like this - and here is a perfect illustration of why I NEVER swap seats until the door is closed, everyone is seated and I can see exactly where I'm moving to....and never, ever for a lesser seat than the one I'm sitting in.

Kudos to the OP for not punching this slime in the mouth.

silver-tls

If I gave the guy what he deserved I probably would have been escorted off the flight and he would have brought his wife up saying he was traumatized and talked his way into making the FAs agree with him.

It sounded pretty rehearsed so hopefully nobody else has fallen prey or will fall prey to this guy.

spkg

What is it about air travel that always seem to bring out the worst in people.

spkg

actually, swapping seats between different classes isn't allowed at all according to the rules, but the vast majority FA are nice enough (or lazy enough) not to care. But is unlimited swaps are allow then people could take advantage by getting free drinks for a large group of people, not to mention the disturbance to fellow passengers. That's when most FA quote a 1 swap rule. I agree that many FA make up rules for their own benefit, but in the case i think i actually makes sense, because the alternative is just not swapping period.

yyliu88

Regardless there is one switch rule of not, FA/Airlines don't like switch back and forth btw 2 cabins, it's just become 2 people sharing one better seat.

3LeftTurns

very charming guy - he is a duche

since I hate confrontations myself - must do my zen mantra how for the next 8 hours of the flight - thank you very much for the laugh

samuelhahn

Can't believe he would let his wife sit in E+

mre5765

Stop apologizing. I know how it goes. You are jet lagged when you get there, and not only do you work during the day, but you have early morning or late evening calls back to the USA.

Anyway, it was a fun story; thanks.

HJsimpson

Speaking of switching seats,
Our first TATL trip after marriage, I was UG to C on LH but SO wasn't.
FA told me, I could swap as many times as I want, but not move during meal service.
We didn't really move back and forth much at all. I downed a few drinks and sat back in Y for most of the flight, until last couple of hours, when they served a quick meal before landing.
I knew if I didn't switch seats, I would never hear the end of it

chitownflyer

This guy is a SCHMUCK.

meFIRST

Most major corporations (not just financial services corporations) allow for Business class travel on trips 5 hours or more, international. Not just for profit corporations, but certain well endowed non profits - takes the stress out of travelling for work and helps employees be productive on the road. Some of the more generous ones (i.e certain consulting firms) allow Business class on domestic trips, on flights 5 hours or more, usually transcons. This guy (the person who made you the offer) is clearly not sophisticated.

Bleh - I am dissapointed that this happened on United.

Most people don't pay for a business class ticket - give me a break. I would love to see that guy try that line on Qatar or Singapore Airlines. Thankfully, I won't be seing him ever on Singapore - because the only way you'll get into business or first, is to pay for it.