Seatmate cleaned MY seat!
Feb 10, 2020, 7:15 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2008
Location: New Jersey
Programs: UA GS 1.7MM, Hyatt Lifetime Glob, Marriott Titanium/Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 1,273
Seatmate cleaned MY seat!
I was seated in 12D (aisle) in a 3-3 layout yesterday, UA from Newark to Fort Lauderdale. An old-ish couple (around 70?) arrived for seats 12E and 12F, so I got up to give them space to take their seats. The woman took out a canister of disinfectant wipes and wiped down her entire seat (window), as well as the armrests and the video monitor and the surrounding area. She then did the same for her husband's seat (middle). He whispered to me something like, "You see what I have to put up with?" I figured that was the end, when she proceeded to wipe down my seat and the armrests. I was so surprised that it took a few seconds to appreciate what was happening. By then, she was done and they both took their seats. I waited a few seconds to make sure mine was dry before sitting.
I thought about confronting her, but I am typically non-confrontational. I think the husband exchanging a word with me also made me feel bad about saying something. After that, they were excellent seatmates (quiet, stayed in their own space, etc.). I can also appreciate that people are a little more nervous than normal at present. They weren't the only ones wiping down their seats.
Just wondering how others would have handled.
I thought about confronting her, but I am typically non-confrontational. I think the husband exchanging a word with me also made me feel bad about saying something. After that, they were excellent seatmates (quiet, stayed in their own space, etc.). I can also appreciate that people are a little more nervous than normal at present. They weren't the only ones wiping down their seats.
Just wondering how others would have handled.
Feb 10, 2020, 7:29 am
#2
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 3,014
I was seated in 12D (aisle) in a 3-3 layout yesterday, UA from Newark to Fort Lauderdale. An old-ish couple (around 70?) arrived for seats 12E and 12F, so I got up to give them space to take their seats. The woman took out a canister of disinfectant wipes and wiped down her entire seat (window), as well as the armrests and the video monitor and the surrounding area. She then did the same for her husband's seat (middle). He whispered to me something like, "You see what I have to put up with?" I figured that was the end, when she proceeded to wipe down my seat and the armrests. I was so surprised that it took a few seconds to appreciate what was happening. By then, she was done and they both took their seats. I waited a few seconds to make sure mine was dry before sitting.
I thought about confronting her, but I am typically non-confrontational. I think the husband exchanging a word with me also made me feel bad about saying something. After that, they were excellent seatmates (quiet, stayed in their own space, etc.). I can also appreciate that people are a little more nervous than normal at present. They weren't the only ones wiping down their seats.
Just wondering how others would have handled.
I thought about confronting her, but I am typically non-confrontational. I think the husband exchanging a word with me also made me feel bad about saying something. After that, they were excellent seatmates (quiet, stayed in their own space, etc.). I can also appreciate that people are a little more nervous than normal at present. They weren't the only ones wiping down their seats.
Just wondering how others would have handled.
If you objected to it, you could have just said thanks, I already did that. That would have ended the issue.
Feb 10, 2020, 8:04 am
#3
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: PHL
Programs: AA Executive Platinum, Marriott LTT + Ambassador
Posts: 80
confronting her about what? I'd have thanked her.
Feb 10, 2020, 8:25 am
#4
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Ontario, Canada
Programs: Aeroplan, IHG, Enterprise, Avios, Nexus
Posts: 8,355
I had something similar happen when a woman beside me pulled out wet wipes and began maniacally wiping down everything around her including the opposite arm rest, inflight magazine, safety card, tray table, IFE screen. She then politely asked me to lift my arm to wipe to down the shared armrest to which I agreed. I drew the line when she wanted to wipe MY tray and screen too.
The remark to the OP by the woman's husband suggests this is pattern behavior and not a response to coronavirus. Anyone who would scrub down a seat going from Newark to Fort Lauderdale due to a virus in China should fall into the category of mentally unbalanced.
The remark to the OP by the woman's husband suggests this is pattern behavior and not a response to coronavirus. Anyone who would scrub down a seat going from Newark to Fort Lauderdale due to a virus in China should fall into the category of mentally unbalanced.
Feb 10, 2020, 10:24 am
#5
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: toronto
Posts: 915
something similar happened to my flight couple weeks ago. I was sitting in the aisle seat in a row of 2 seater. I had already boarded and got myself settled in. Just as the plane was about to close the door, a very attractive and well dressed lady was rushing to board and was my window seatmate. When she sat down, she started wiping down her arm rest, screen, trays, everything. Then she took out her purell hand sanitizer and started cleaning her hand.
After she was done, she took the purell and motioned it towards me clean my hands as well. Kinda weird, its not like I was going to be touching her. But whatever, doesn't hurt to be sanitized.
After she was done, she took the purell and motioned it towards me clean my hands as well. Kinda weird, its not like I was going to be touching her. But whatever, doesn't hurt to be sanitized.
Feb 10, 2020, 10:26 am
#6
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Canada, USA, Europe
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 31,446
I thought about confronting her, but I am typically non-confrontational. I think the husband exchanging a word with me also made me feel bad about saying something. After that, they were excellent seatmates (quiet, stayed in their own space, etc.). I can also appreciate that people are a little more nervous than normal at present. They weren't the only ones wiping down their seats.
Just wondering how others would have handled.
Just wondering how others would have handled.
Feb 10, 2020, 11:27 am
#7
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Toronto
Programs: SPG LT Plat, Hilton G,Priorty Club G, AC E
Posts: 2,979
Wouldn't have bothered me...
Feb 10, 2020, 11:43 am
#8
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Ontario, Canada
Programs: Aeroplan, IHG, Enterprise, Avios, Nexus
Posts: 8,355
something similar happened to my flight couple weeks ago. I was sitting in the aisle seat in a row of 2 seater. I had already boarded and got myself settled in. Just as the plane was about to close the door, a very attractive and well dressed lady was rushing to board and was my window seatmate. When she sat down, she started wiping down her arm rest, screen, trays, everything. Then she took out her purell hand sanitizer and started cleaning her hand.
After she was done, she took the purell and motioned it towards me clean my hands as well. Kinda weird, its not like I was going to be touching her. But whatever, doesn't hurt to be sanitized.
After she was done, she took the purell and motioned it towards me clean my hands as well. Kinda weird, its not like I was going to be touching her. But whatever, doesn't hurt to be sanitized.
Feb 10, 2020, 11:54 am
#9
Used to be 'Travelergcp'
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: New Orleans
Programs: AA Plat, Marriott Gold, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 2,827
I’d just say thanks!, And then go post a thread about it on flyer talk.
Feb 10, 2020, 11:55 am
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Programs: DL PM, MR Titanium/LTP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10,143
Wouldn't get any complaints from me
Feb 10, 2020, 12:14 pm
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2008
Location: New Jersey
Programs: UA GS 1.7MM, Hyatt Lifetime Glob, Marriott Titanium/Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 1,273
Thanks for all the replies.
I just found it odd as I wouldn't think to do something like that for someone else without asking permission first.
I just found it odd as I wouldn't think to do something like that for someone else without asking permission first.
Feb 10, 2020, 12:26 pm
#12
Join Date: May 2009
Location: SIN (with a bit of ZRH sprinkled in)
Posts: 9,494
I had something similar happen when a woman beside me pulled out wet wipes and began maniacally wiping down everything around her including the opposite arm rest, inflight magazine, safety card, tray table, IFE screen. She then politely asked me to lift my arm to wipe to down the shared armrest to which I agreed. I drew the line when she wanted to wipe MY tray and screen too.
The remark to the OP by the woman's husband suggests this is pattern behavior and not a response to coronavirus. Anyone who would scrub down a seat going from Newark to Fort Lauderdale due to a virus in China should fall into the category of mentally unbalanced.
The remark to the OP by the woman's husband suggests this is pattern behavior and not a response to coronavirus. Anyone who would scrub down a seat going from Newark to Fort Lauderdale due to a virus in China should fall into the category of mentally unbalanced.
Knowing how easy it's for a common cold to spread around (or worse.. American H1N1 flu killed hundredthousands in it's first season and keeps killing tenthousands every season, but is now considered "part of seasonal flu" due to the failure to confine it originally.
Media one-way reporting.
https://www.cdc.gov/flu/pandemic-res...-pandemic.html
Feb 10, 2020, 1:04 pm
#13
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 512
I do the same for my seat, I mean wiping it down with Lysol wipes and I never get sick traveling. In fact, I am seldom sick.
If someone else will do this for me, I would thank him/her. What's the harm?
If someone else will do this for me, I would thank him/her. What's the harm?
Feb 10, 2020, 1:26 pm
#14
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 207
I'd be grateful, but would draw the line if she started wiping down me too.
Feb 10, 2020, 1:49 pm
#15
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: DFW
Posts: 8,068
I had something similar happen when a woman beside me pulled out wet wipes and began maniacally wiping down everything around her including the opposite arm rest, inflight magazine, safety card, tray table, IFE screen. She then politely asked me to lift my arm to wipe to down the shared armrest to which I agreed. I drew the line when she wanted to wipe MY tray and screen too.
The remark to the OP by the woman's husband suggests this is pattern behavior and not a response to coronavirus. Anyone who would scrub down a seat going from Newark to Fort Lauderdale due to a virus in China should fall into the category of mentally unbalanced.
The remark to the OP by the woman's husband suggests this is pattern behavior and not a response to coronavirus. Anyone who would scrub down a seat going from Newark to Fort Lauderdale due to a virus in China should fall into the category of mentally unbalanced.