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Old Dec 19, 2014 | 1:15 pm
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Falsely accused and relocated

I was travelling Dubai to Seattle and selected a bulk head seat for advanced leg room. There was a lady travelling with an infant, along with another lady and her child seated in our row. Upon boarding the female with the infant asked me if I could switch my seats with her husband as they wish to sit together. Considering that this is a very long flight and Im very tall (6"4') I politely declined for the extra leg room since the husband was seated further up in a window seat.

Within a few hours of my journey I was told that by the FA that this passenger is feeling uncomfortable because she was nursing her baby. Basically without directly pointing fingers I was accused of staring at her [Moderator edit]. The FA told me that it is in everyones best interests that to relocate my seat and was sent to another aisle seat down the corridor. I politely protested and it fell on deaf ears so eventually complied with her instructions.

However a few hours later I notice that the husband has now conveniently relocated himself to my original seat. I called the FA to show her what's going on but she didn't seem to care as apparently the matter was resolved and still seem to side with the lady hinting that I might have been "looking at her side unknowingly and these things happen." It seemed like she was preoccupied with her duties and didn't bother trying to connect the dots or hear my side of story.

Did I got taken for a ride or was this justified?

Last edited by Ocn Vw 1K; Dec 19, 2014 at 9:18 pm Reason: Per FT Rules.
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Old Dec 19, 2014 | 1:50 pm
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Did she come out and actually accuse you?

Probably just one of those things where the new mom manipulated the situation.
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Old Dec 19, 2014 | 1:52 pm
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You got taken for a ride, but there's nothing you can do about it now (and very little you could have done then). Best to just let it go.

If it really bothers you, you can always write a letter to the airline complaining that the flight attendant removed you from your chosen seat, apparently due to a baseless accusation on the part of your neighbor, and didn't have the guts to tell you what was going on.

At the time, I would have looked the FA right in the eye and asked clearly "Are you accusing me of staring at this lady's boobs while she is feeding her baby?" It being me, I would have then announced that my boyfriend wouldn't appreciate such behavior on my part.
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Old Dec 19, 2014 | 1:54 pm
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What was the airline? Do you have status or did you pay extra for the bulkhead seat?
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Old Dec 19, 2014 | 2:13 pm
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Falsely accused and relocated

My question as well. What was this carrier's flag?
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Old Dec 19, 2014 | 2:36 pm
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OP had to be on Emirates flight 229.

Nothing you can do about it now. You got hosed.
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Old Dec 19, 2014 | 2:57 pm
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Falsely accused and relocated

My point exactly. Pax discrimination on MANY levels.
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Old Dec 19, 2014 | 3:36 pm
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You got screwed. Agree that the woman manipulated he situation and intentionally made you look bad. Is she a crap person, yes. Do you have much recourse with the airline, probably not.
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Old Dec 19, 2014 | 4:05 pm
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Yeah I was flying with Emirates. What really sucks how it all played out. The other lady with her kid, I was super nice to her and stowed her luggage. She witnessed the first time the husband approached me for the seat. But when the time came up she never spoke up for me instead acted oblivious.
It seemed they all sided with each other somehow understanding each others experiences of being a woman and assumed that I was definitely the bad guy in here leering lusciously at her cleavage..... Some men I tell you.
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Old Dec 19, 2014 | 5:34 pm
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File a complaint. And don't fly Emirates again.
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Old Dec 19, 2014 | 6:04 pm
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Falsely accused and relocated

OP: Sorry about your experience. But be glad she didn't accuse you of groping her. Could have been a lot worse.
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Old Dec 19, 2014 | 8:18 pm
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Can't really fault the FA that much as they aren't in the position to know what really happened and have to take both sides' stories at face value.

On a purely rational level it makes sense for the airline to move the guy in that scenario. If that lady writes a complaint going: "A pervert stared at my breasts as I was breast-feeding on my flight and Emirates ignored it even though I complained!", true or false, the possible impact is gonna be a lot higher than some dude going "I got relocated against my wishes".
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Old Dec 19, 2014 | 8:52 pm
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It is a tough situation, with no real way to win. These days, it is not hard to get arrested after landing if you ignore the FA's demands. Especially as a man and involving any accusations of sexual inappropriateness. You just can't win after being accused of anything like that, your best hope is to not lose big.

I guess your best chance was to be very polite, very quiet and friendly and simply ask for the purser and explain your side. But at some point, right or wrong, if the FA's tell you to do something you have to do it, or risk an arrest after landing.
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Old Dec 19, 2014 | 9:02 pm
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The airline should have told the woman to cover herself or go to the toilet. Did she change the baby's diapers at her seat as well?
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Old Dec 19, 2014 | 9:18 pm
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Originally Posted by jubberly
The airline should have told the woman to cover herself or go to the toilet. Did she change the baby's diapers at her seat as well?
I couldn't agree more with this statement. If the OP could potentially see her breasts then others could as well, making it a baseless complaint for her own convenience. I understand people have to travel with babies but they should make every effort not inconvenie others as well.
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