Awkward/Uncomfortable Situation - Passenger Encroachment - What to do?
Mar 23, 2019, 8:15 am
#16
Join Date: May 2010
Location: AVP & PEK
Programs: UA 1K 1.9MM
Posts: 6,355
Mar 23, 2019, 8:21 am
#17
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,854
As this is not airline specific and may be of interest to a broader audience, will move this to TravelBuzz
WineCountryUA
UA coModerator
WineCountryUA
UA coModerator
Mar 23, 2019, 8:55 am
#18
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Luxembourg
Programs: KLM/AF Platinum for life, IHG Platinum, Accor Platinum
Posts: 1,026
I have to be honest that this is the #1 reason I take a window seat. In my case I am too tall for.most seats and need to use the wall as a support instead of the seatback. On there rate occasions (change of equip., IRROPS, no status, 1hr flight, etc) where I have middle or aisle, this situation could arise. I would harbour no ill will for being nudged awake and would realise.myself what had happened and would apologise unprompted. Snoring, head or body movement, even a fart here and there are all involuntary body issues when asleep. Just let the pax know and try to move on.
This said, I am often elbowed by the middle pax when I am asleep and they are awake. Not for any of the above reasons, but simply because they take the armrest and then extend.8nto my seat. After being awoken the 12th time I usually say something. At least I put my kindle there so they cannot over-extend any more.
This said, I am often elbowed by the middle pax when I am asleep and they are awake. Not for any of the above reasons, but simply because they take the armrest and then extend.8nto my seat. After being awoken the 12th time I usually say something. At least I put my kindle there so they cannot over-extend any more.
Mar 23, 2019, 11:08 am
#20
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Wesley Chapel, FL
Programs: American Airlines
Posts: 30,015
Firstly if this happened to me I would instantly say something to this selfish and obnoxious passenger.
Secondly, If the offending passenger was a hot chick would this thread even exist?
Nope.
Secondly, If the offending passenger was a hot chick would this thread even exist?
Nope.
Mar 23, 2019, 1:18 pm
#21
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,304
I had a 20 something woman fall asleep with her head on my shoulder and I merely got the FA's attention, and she gently woke the young lady up. I didn't want to be seen as doing anything inappropriate. Of course, the young lady was embarrassed and apologized, but I knew it wasn't her fault.
Mar 23, 2019, 4:13 pm
#22
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Atlanta Metro
Programs: DL , AC, BA, Hhonors Diamond, IH Platinum, Bonvoy Gold, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 2,356
OP, I think I would've scooted forward, then scrunched my arm back to get my hand on his headphone, and slowly moved him upright by pushing against his ear.
Or just gently body-slammed him from the side to both wake him up and push him over.
Or just gently body-slammed him from the side to both wake him up and push him over.
Mar 23, 2019, 4:25 pm
#23
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Israel/United States
Posts: 1,234
If he wasn’t waking I would have turned myself slightly sideways ( towards him) nudged my shoulder in and pushed his head away, straightened out and reclaimed my space. Head on my shoulder I either push away or “ accidental” bang as I reach up,to scratch my head or shoulder or something!
Mar 23, 2019, 5:59 pm
#24
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 187
If he wasn’t waking I would have turned myself slightly sideways ( towards him) nudged my shoulder in and pushed his head away, straightened out and reclaimed my space. Head on my shoulder I either push away or “ accidental” bang as I reach up,to scratch my head or shoulder or something!
Mar 24, 2019, 7:31 am
#25
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: MFR
Programs: UA 1K 1.9MM, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,885
Mar 24, 2019, 8:41 am
#26
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: on the path to perdition
Programs: Delta, United
Posts: 4,786
Sorry to wake you but your head keeps chicken bobbing into me while I am trying to ...
FWIW on some planes (mostly those used on long hauls) the head rest has wings. Pull them away from the seat back so the cradle your head. Helps with the chicken bobbing.
Last edited by FlyingUnderTheRadar; Mar 24, 2019 at 6:44 pm
Mar 24, 2019, 5:30 pm
#28
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: US Air, UA BA LH AI DELTA MARRIOTT CHOICE SGP
Posts: 9,883
Me I would ask her to take charge of her own being.
Mar 24, 2019, 5:49 pm
#29
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Massachusetts, USA; AA Plat, DL GM and Flying Colonel; Bonvoy Platinum
Posts: 24,233
I've been flying for many years now and fortunately, I haven't found myself in this situation before, but this week on a flight, a DYKWIA type passenger was seated next to me. Normally, the DYKWIA types don't bother me, but this one was quite unique. He put on his eye mask and attempted to get comfortable taking both armrests. No biggie right, we've all seen this type of people before. But what irked me was for half the flight, his head was encroached in my space, forcing me to sit up during most of the flight. The other half of the time, he situated his body on the seat and turned facing me (and then the other passenger as well). Ewwww right?!? I know he had his eye mask on, but I still didn't want someone practically breathing on me!
Has anyone else encountered a similar uncomfortable situation? How did you address it? Looking back, I really should have confronted the situation, but would that have caused even more awkwardness during our 4hr+ flight? (Ironically, on the return flight, I almost selected a seat next to the same passenger! I was so relieved to see him seated and happily walked past him. :-)
[image from first post deleted to save a lot of space]
Passenger encroachment. What would you do?
Has anyone else encountered a similar uncomfortable situation? How did you address it? Looking back, I really should have confronted the situation, but would that have caused even more awkwardness during our 4hr+ flight? (Ironically, on the return flight, I almost selected a seat next to the same passenger! I was so relieved to see him seated and happily walked past him. :-)
[image from first post deleted to save a lot of space]
Passenger encroachment. What would you do?
Mar 24, 2019, 9:24 pm
#30
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 969
I've been flying for many years now and fortunately, I haven't found myself in this situation before, but this week on a flight, a DYKWIA type passenger was seated next to me. Normally, the DYKWIA types don't bother me, but this one was quite unique. He put on his eye mask and attempted to get comfortable taking both armrests. No biggie right, we've all seen this type of people before. But what irked me was for half the flight, his head was encroached in my space, forcing me to sit up during most of the flight. The other half of the time, he situated his body on the seat and turned facing me (and then the other passenger as well). Ewwww right?!? I know he had his eye mask on, but I still didn't want someone practically breathing on me!
Has anyone else encountered a similar uncomfortable situation? How did you address it? Looking back, I really should have confronted the situation, but would that have caused even more awkwardness during our 4hr+ flight? (Ironically, on the return flight, I almost selected a seat next to the same passenger! I was so relieved to see him seated and happily walked past him. :-)
Passenger encroachment. What would you do?
Has anyone else encountered a similar uncomfortable situation? How did you address it? Looking back, I really should have confronted the situation, but would that have caused even more awkwardness during our 4hr+ flight? (Ironically, on the return flight, I almost selected a seat next to the same passenger! I was so relieved to see him seated and happily walked past him. :-)
Passenger encroachment. What would you do?