How do you handle someone sitting in your seat when you board?
Sep 17, 2018, 11:38 am
#856
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,435
Never had someone try and get my seat, but what do you do when the airline changes your seat prior to check-in to accomodate a family sitting together? happened to me from SYD to DXB, flying an EK A380. I picked seat 68K 4 months in advance. When I checked in, they told me they changed my seat to an aisle seat in the centre row, to accomodate a family sitting together. I was dumbfounded (and eager to get back home after being away for 6 months) and I simply accepted my fate. What annoyed me even more was that my seat ended up being taken by a small man, while my 1,94m would've loved the extra leg-room. My row was occupied by 3 12-year olds, of which 1 fell asleep against my shoulder.
Sep 17, 2018, 12:16 pm
#857
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,808
Never had someone try and get my seat, but what do you do when the airline changes your seat prior to check-in to accomodate a family sitting together? happened to me from SYD to DXB, flying an EK A380. I picked seat 68K 4 months in advance. When I checked in, they told me they changed my seat to an aisle seat in the centre row, to accomodate a family sitting together. I was dumbfounded (and eager to get back home after being away for 6 months) and I simply accepted my fate. What annoyed me even more was that my seat ended up being taken by a small man, while my 1,94m would've loved the extra leg-room. My row was occupied by 3 12-year olds, of which 1 fell asleep against my shoulder.
Jun 24, 2019, 9:27 pm
#859
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,435
Had a tight connection and boarded late. Wife and I boarded, and a guy was sitting in my window seat (business class 2-aisle-2). I asked him what seat he had, and he immediately got up (he knew he was wrong and didn't even bother to check his BP) and moved to the far window seat, same row.
So I took the seat he'd been in, and noticed that he had drank the complimentary water already. My wife had a full bottle on her aisle seat, and the guy already drank mine. So I tried to hand him his empty and ask him for the full one, but he was already guzzling down his second bottle in his new seat. I called the FA over and asked for a new bottle, and she said we were departing soon and she couldn't do it. Normally I wouldn't care, but I was hot and thirsty from running to make the connection.
So the moral of the story is when someone is in your seat, make sure you take a minute to see if they stole your water first.
So I took the seat he'd been in, and noticed that he had drank the complimentary water already. My wife had a full bottle on her aisle seat, and the guy already drank mine. So I tried to hand him his empty and ask him for the full one, but he was already guzzling down his second bottle in his new seat. I called the FA over and asked for a new bottle, and she said we were departing soon and she couldn't do it. Normally I wouldn't care, but I was hot and thirsty from running to make the connection.
So the moral of the story is when someone is in your seat, make sure you take a minute to see if they stole your water first.
Jun 25, 2019, 1:58 am
#860
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold / OW Emerald
Posts: 753
While it's true that an "assigned seat" is not mentioned under the conditions of carriage, it is nonetheless a valued part of the advertised product for most airlines. Most people, especially frequent flyers, have come to truly value their assigned seat for whatever reason - aisle, window, exit row, front of the cabin - whatever. When another passenger willfully chooses to disregard this well established, much appreciated (and in some cases earned benefit) by simply taking over one's assigned seat without even the courtesy of having first asked permission, they go from being a fellow passenger who's polite request I'm usually willing to accommodate to an inconsiderate and selfish cretin whom I'm happy to send packing more often than not.
As for assigned seats being totally at the discretion of the airline, since they are an advertised and much appreciated perk, it's highly unlikely that most major airlines would casually disregard one's assigned seat - especially that of an elite flyer - unless there'd been an unforseen switch of aircraft types or the seat was designated for handicapped use.
As for assigned seats being totally at the discretion of the airline, since they are an advertised and much appreciated perk, it's highly unlikely that most major airlines would casually disregard one's assigned seat - especially that of an elite flyer - unless there'd been an unforseen switch of aircraft types or the seat was designated for handicapped use.
Jun 25, 2019, 3:17 am
#861
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 581
Had a tight connection and boarded late. Wife and I boarded, and a guy was sitting in my window seat (business class 2-aisle-2). I asked him what seat he had, and he immediately got up (he knew he was wrong and didn't even bother to check his BP) and moved to the far window seat, same row.
So I took the seat he'd been in, and noticed that he had drank the complimentary water already. My wife had a full bottle on her aisle seat, and the guy already drank mine. So I tried to hand him his empty and ask him for the full one, but he was already guzzling down his second bottle in his new seat. I called the FA over and asked for a new bottle, and she said we were departing soon and she couldn't do it. Normally I wouldn't care, but I was hot and thirsty from running to make the connection.
So the moral of the story is when someone is in your seat, make sure you take a minute to see if they stole your water first.
So I took the seat he'd been in, and noticed that he had drank the complimentary water already. My wife had a full bottle on her aisle seat, and the guy already drank mine. So I tried to hand him his empty and ask him for the full one, but he was already guzzling down his second bottle in his new seat. I called the FA over and asked for a new bottle, and she said we were departing soon and she couldn't do it. Normally I wouldn't care, but I was hot and thirsty from running to make the connection.
So the moral of the story is when someone is in your seat, make sure you take a minute to see if they stole your water first.
Jun 25, 2019, 3:46 am
#862
Join Date: Mar 2015
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 294
(Edit: sorry, long thread and before I was caught up on it, JamesKidd had already posted his response, which I didn't see when I wrote mine.)
Jun 25, 2019, 10:13 am
#863
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,435
Jun 25, 2019, 12:54 pm
#864
Join Date: Feb 2019
Posts: 268
Just had this happen.
Due to AA equipment swap (767-300 with lie-flats and 1-2-1 layout to a 757-something with lie-flats but 2-2 layout), I see someone in my seat (older guy that they had brought in via wheelchair). An older lady was finishing helping him get seatbelted and said they (airport personnel?) put him in that seat as it was too difficult to get him into the window seat. She was in the window seat in row 1 (BTW, this was Row 2) and said she'd rather sit by her husband and asked if I minded switching. I didn't mind, as I didn't want to have to try to crawl over someone who was incapable of getting up out of the seat (I didn't verbalize this), so in the end, it worked out for the best, IMO. The nice lady in the aisle in Row 1 asked if she could switch with my partner (row 2, other side, window seat) so we could sit together (we did not ask for the switch, BTW) and we thanked her profusely. She was able to recline and use the pillow against the window and slept pretty much the whole flight.
So all in all not bad.
I had one other time where it was one of those "first" row starts with "2" so the guy was in the wrong row (he was still in First Class, so I can see it being an honest mistake) and apologized and moved.
I don't think I've accidentally sat in the wrong seat (yet). but I am getting older, LOL!
Due to AA equipment swap (767-300 with lie-flats and 1-2-1 layout to a 757-something with lie-flats but 2-2 layout), I see someone in my seat (older guy that they had brought in via wheelchair). An older lady was finishing helping him get seatbelted and said they (airport personnel?) put him in that seat as it was too difficult to get him into the window seat. She was in the window seat in row 1 (BTW, this was Row 2) and said she'd rather sit by her husband and asked if I minded switching. I didn't mind, as I didn't want to have to try to crawl over someone who was incapable of getting up out of the seat (I didn't verbalize this), so in the end, it worked out for the best, IMO. The nice lady in the aisle in Row 1 asked if she could switch with my partner (row 2, other side, window seat) so we could sit together (we did not ask for the switch, BTW) and we thanked her profusely. She was able to recline and use the pillow against the window and slept pretty much the whole flight.
So all in all not bad.
I had one other time where it was one of those "first" row starts with "2" so the guy was in the wrong row (he was still in First Class, so I can see it being an honest mistake) and apologized and moved.
I don't think I've accidentally sat in the wrong seat (yet). but I am getting older, LOL!
Nov 3, 2019, 4:26 am
#865
Join Date: Feb 2018
Programs: FB Platinum
Posts: 279
Seat stealing
I am sitting in 6A, and my travel partner has 6B. It is late evening, ariund 9 pm. When she arrives a woman is already seated in 6B next to her business partner in 6C. My travel partner asks weather the woman in 6B has a reservation, «No, go to 7B please» is the answer.
Is seat stealing common?
The two people in 6BC worked on their computers during the whole flight, even though they were told to put down their laptops during takeoff and landing a few times.
Are people this unprepared ahead of a meeting next morning?
When we landed the unknown lady in 6B next to me takes all the time shutting down her computer. I kindly reminds her that we have landed. «OK», is the answer. As people behind us are leaving the plane, she still sits on her computer. «Okay, let’s go, I’m in a hurry», I said (even though I had plenty og time). «Oh, I did not realize», she answered and shut down her PC and departed the plane.
Is this common behavior?
Is seat stealing common?
The two people in 6BC worked on their computers during the whole flight, even though they were told to put down their laptops during takeoff and landing a few times.
Are people this unprepared ahead of a meeting next morning?
When we landed the unknown lady in 6B next to me takes all the time shutting down her computer. I kindly reminds her that we have landed. «OK», is the answer. As people behind us are leaving the plane, she still sits on her computer. «Okay, let’s go, I’m in a hurry», I said (even though I had plenty og time). «Oh, I did not realize», she answered and shut down her PC and departed the plane.
Is this common behavior?
Nov 3, 2019, 12:11 pm
#866
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)
Programs: DREAD Gold; UA 1.035MM; Bonvoy Au-197; PCC Elite+; CCC Elite+; MSC C-12; CWC Au-197; WoH Dis
Posts: 52,121
People will try, but they will only be successful if you let them. We must all strive to curb such anti-social behaviour.
Unfortunately, yes.
Nov 3, 2019, 2:41 pm
#867
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 6,334
And while the reluctance to "make a scene" is understandable, the people who do THAT (or jump queues, or any of those other Im-so-special behaviours) will CONTINUE to do so while ever other people allow them to get away with it. If we ALL said "no" every time they tried they (may) eventually stop trying. (One can hope anyway)
Nov 3, 2019, 2:47 pm
#868
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Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
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Posts: 100,369
I am sitting in 6A, and my travel partner has 6B. It is late evening, ariund 9 pm. When she arrives a woman is already seated in 6B next to her business partner in 6C. My travel partner asks weather the woman in 6B has a reservation, «No, go to 7B please» is the answer.
Is seat stealing common?
The two people in 6BC worked on their computers during the whole flight, even though they were told to put down their laptops during takeoff and landing a few times.
Are people this unprepared ahead of a meeting next morning?
When we landed the unknown lady in 6B next to me takes all the time shutting down her computer. I kindly reminds her that we have landed. «OK», is the answer. As people behind us are leaving the plane, she still sits on her computer. «Okay, let’s go, I’m in a hurry», I said (even though I had plenty og time). «Oh, I did not realize», she answered and shut down her PC and departed the plane.
Is this common behavior?
Is seat stealing common?
The two people in 6BC worked on their computers during the whole flight, even though they were told to put down their laptops during takeoff and landing a few times.
Are people this unprepared ahead of a meeting next morning?
When we landed the unknown lady in 6B next to me takes all the time shutting down her computer. I kindly reminds her that we have landed. «OK», is the answer. As people behind us are leaving the plane, she still sits on her computer. «Okay, let’s go, I’m in a hurry», I said (even though I had plenty og time). «Oh, I did not realize», she answered and shut down her PC and departed the plane.
Is this common behavior?
BTW, what airline was this?
Nov 3, 2019, 3:19 pm
#869
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: ZOA, SFO, HKG
Programs: UA 1K 0.9MM, Marriott Gold, HHonors Gold, Hertz PC, SBux Gold, TSA Pre✓
Posts: 13,811
Yes - it is more than common than you think.
The least severe incidents usually involve unsuccessful seat swap. The worst incidents usually involve self-upgrade of any kinds.
No. Most people want to get off planes as soon as possible. If emergency slide is a legitimate option, people will do that.
The least severe incidents usually involve unsuccessful seat swap. The worst incidents usually involve self-upgrade of any kinds.
No. Most people want to get off planes as soon as possible. If emergency slide is a legitimate option, people will do that.
Nov 3, 2019, 3:24 pm
#870
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
People such as the seat "stealer" only do this because others let them. Your partner had no need to make a scene. All it took was quietly raising it to a FA and letting the FA deal with it.
This happens all over the place and it is dealt with quite easily. If one lets others treat you like a door mat, they will.
This happens all over the place and it is dealt with quite easily. If one lets others treat you like a door mat, they will.