Why the need to sit together
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: UA, Hertz Gold, AA Gold, DL Silver
Posts: 825
Why the need to sit together
I see lots of threads about people wanting to sit together, what's the big deal with it? Perhaps being a guy I am either inherently stupid, or just insensitive but if I'm traveling with someone I figure I'll be spending enough time with them while at the destination that a few hours not together just won't matter.
Even though I have this view, I’m fine with someone wanting to sit with their kid but that’s different than needing to sit with a SO of an adult age.
True story, one time I booked a flight with a friend where we had a window/isle (now I would just book two isles instead) and the person in the middle quickly figured out we were traveling together. They offered to switch seats so we could sit next to each other and we both said “no thanks, I’m spending enough time with her/him over the next week”. I then added “besides middle seats suck”.
Even though I have this view, I’m fine with someone wanting to sit with their kid but that’s different than needing to sit with a SO of an adult age.
True story, one time I booked a flight with a friend where we had a window/isle (now I would just book two isles instead) and the person in the middle quickly figured out we were traveling together. They offered to switch seats so we could sit next to each other and we both said “no thanks, I’m spending enough time with her/him over the next week”. I then added “besides middle seats suck”.
#2
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: FRA
Programs: UA 1K, AA Exec Plat, MR Plat, HH Gold
Posts: 252
Why the need to sit together
Agreed. I once traveled with my boss from JFK-PVG. He insisted we sit together. Once on the plane he took a pill and fell asleep for the next 10 hrs. He was in the aisle seat so had to climb over him to use the lavatory.
#3
Join Date: Mar 2007
Programs: QFF Gold, Flying Blue, Enrich
Posts: 5,366
It's well known that members of the same family will often self-combust if they are forced to sit separately in an aircraft, leaving nothing but a pile of ashes and the occasional shoe in 62D.
At least, I'm guessing that's the case the way some people carry on - myself I'd be grateful to be away from the incessant nagging that an enforced but temporary separation would treat me to.
At least, I'm guessing that's the case the way some people carry on - myself I'd be grateful to be away from the incessant nagging that an enforced but temporary separation would treat me to.
#4
Moderator: Manufactured Spending
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 6,580
As is extremely common on this forum, we are all forgetting that not everyone flies every month or more.
When you fly that often, you don't care about a lot of things any more, including who you sit next to. You value speed, law and order instead.
For people who fly once a year, it's perfectly understandable that they want to sit next to the person they are traveling with.
When you fly that often, you don't care about a lot of things any more, including who you sit next to. You value speed, law and order instead.
For people who fly once a year, it's perfectly understandable that they want to sit next to the person they are traveling with.
#5
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 9,307
The person you've shared space with for the past extended period of time has now become indispensable?
#7
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: San Jose, California, USA
Programs: AS 100K, UA MM, AA MM, IC Plat Amb, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 3,146
I recall a thread (one of the many threads about switching seats) where one poster couldn't understand why a passenger would refuse to switch seats so that a couple could sit together, expressing indignance that anyone would have the gall to say no. Just goes to show that everybody has an opinion!
But OP, my opinion is yours: I have no need to sit next to my travelling companion on a relatively short (compared to the entire trip) plane ride, especially when I will be spending 24 hours a day with him/her for the next week or so.
But OP, my opinion is yours: I have no need to sit next to my travelling companion on a relatively short (compared to the entire trip) plane ride, especially when I will be spending 24 hours a day with him/her for the next week or so.
#8
Join Date: Apr 2010
Programs: HGP/SPG: Apprentice Kettle; UA/AA/DL: Journeyman Kettle
Posts: 866
Oh, I forgot to mention that currently I live approximately 15,526 Kilometers from my SO, therefore I value every waking [and semi-conscious] minute that I can have with her when we are together.
Please note that whenever we travel together I ensure that we have seats next to one another if advance seat selection is available and there are seats available that are next to one another. However, try as I might on some occasions advanced seat selection isn't possible and/or there are no available seats that are sidewise adjacent.
#10
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: MSP
Programs: Delta Diamond, million miler
Posts: 169
My husband likes to sit next to me when we fly. I personally like the 'alone time' when we don't (at least on non-international flights). We both recently got upgraded from ATL to MSP and weren't sitting next to each other. Didn't bother me as we had taken the overnight flight back from SCL and we were both tired. He asked his seat passenger to switch and she didn't want to. We both slept most of the way back to MSP so it really doesn't bother me to have a break.
#11
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: where the chile is hot
Programs: AA,RR,NW,Delta ,UA,CO
Posts: 41,668
When I travel with family, the number one reason for wanting to sit together (in coach) is because if I'm going to be in extremely close physical quarters for many hours, I'd rather be next to family than to a stranger, particularly if the other individual is generous in size.
As an earlier poster noted, it can also be part of a sharing experience with someone you don't necessarily see often. When I'm travelling with family, it's someone I don't see very often, so given the choice, I'd like to maximize my time enjoying his/her company.
As an earlier poster noted, it can also be part of a sharing experience with someone you don't necessarily see often. When I'm travelling with family, it's someone I don't see very often, so given the choice, I'd like to maximize my time enjoying his/her company.
#12
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 22,778
I see lots of threads about people wanting to sit together, what's the big deal with it? Perhaps being a guy I am either inherently stupid, or just insensitive but if I'm traveling with someone I figure I'll be spending enough time with them while at the destination that a few hours not together just won't matter.
Even though I have this view, I’m fine with someone wanting to sit with their kid but that’s different than needing to sit with a SO of an adult age.
True story, one time I booked a flight with a friend where we had a window/isle (now I would just book two isles instead) and the person in the middle quickly figured out we were traveling together. They offered to switch seats so we could sit next to each other and we both said “no thanks, I’m spending enough time with her/him over the next week”. I then added “besides middle seats suck”.
Even though I have this view, I’m fine with someone wanting to sit with their kid but that’s different than needing to sit with a SO of an adult age.
True story, one time I booked a flight with a friend where we had a window/isle (now I would just book two isles instead) and the person in the middle quickly figured out we were traveling together. They offered to switch seats so we could sit next to each other and we both said “no thanks, I’m spending enough time with her/him over the next week”. I then added “besides middle seats suck”.
If you are going to be talking a lot, it's better that one of you switch with the person in the middle seat. It's not fun for the person in middle seat to have people on either side talking over them.
#13
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: DFW
Programs: AAdvantage
Posts: 161
I personally like to sit apart. Unfortunately, Mrs Airwolf has to ask me questions about everything when we travel. I like to get a window seat & coccon with my iPad or a pillow.
3hrs or whatever is some of the most boring time in my life. I just want to pass it by as quickly as possible with as little interuptions as possible.
3hrs or whatever is some of the most boring time in my life. I just want to pass it by as quickly as possible with as little interuptions as possible.
#14
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: OH
Programs: AA Lifetime Plat, Marriot Lifetime Gold
Posts: 9,538
When I travel with family, the number one reason for wanting to sit together (in coach) is because if I'm going to be in extremely close physical quarters for many hours, I'd rather be next to family than to a stranger, particularly if the other individual is generous in size. .
#15
Join Date: Nov 2005
Programs: Chick-Fil-A Red, Wawa, Red Cross blood donor
Posts: 4,824
Not sure why the animosity about people who want to sit together.
When you go out to a restaurant, so you sit at separate tables?
Whe you go to a movie, do you sit in different rows?
When you go to the mall, do you take separate cars?
When you go out to a restaurant, so you sit at separate tables?
Whe you go to a movie, do you sit in different rows?
When you go to the mall, do you take separate cars?