----Nonsequitur----

Probally the best seat switch I've made....

On a last minute weekend fare from BWI-ATL, I was headed to me seat steerage. I found someone in my seat and told him I was assigned that seat. He told me to take his seat up front in first class (yes told, but it was 1st so what did I care). I told the FA and gave them our names and went up front.

Across the aisle (actually in the aisle) from me was a drug and ordanance sniffing dog (with the handler). Before I saw it I couldn't possably imagine why someone travelling alone would swap a 1st for coach seat. Must have been a dog hater/allergic, bomber, or holding drugs.

Sbrower, unfortunately those types of pax are all too common. Too bad you had to put up with her for 5 hours http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

sbrowser... your story only goes to prove ancient Flyertalk addiage..

If you nice... you get upgraded.

Have a MEOWY DAY! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

You must get upgraded all the time Catman http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

> You and your significant other are
> tarvelling (sic) on your long awaited
> trip. You book your tickets (i dont
> care -- purchased or upgraded) and
> find you cant sit next to each other.
> You think, no problem, we will ask.
> Lo and behold -- noone is willing to
> switch. To me, thats a rotten start to
> a long awaited trip.

rotten start??? puhleeze ... they've got
seats together in coach. they willfully
chose separate seats in fc - that act alone
defines their priorities.

i can understand them asking, but politely
declining their request is not rude or
impolite.

-doug

Started reading this thread and could not finish before a re-run of Seinfeld began. Great posts and I vote the same way the Seinfeld characters would and 90% of you do.

I will generally always switch when asked (if offered a fairly comperable seat). The one time I didn't was on a EWR-ATL flight. I was seated in 3B, there was a woman with a screaming infant in 1A. A couple came on, saw they were assigned 1B & 3A and asked if I would switch. I said 'no', they proceeded to give me 'hate' stares the entire 1 hr 37 min trip--as the baby continued to wail.

Situational ethics: If the female of the couple is assigned to sit next to me, then I ain't movin'. If the male of the couple is assigned to sit next to me, then I might steal a glance at where I'd end up.

Oh yeah: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

Seriously, tho, I was raised to be polite and to wallow in guilt for my sins. So I'd end up doing exactly what Premex did: agree reluctantly and regret it for days...

My wife and I travel together a great deal, almost always in FC. Occasionally we are assigned separate seats and generally there is no trouble getting someone to change. However, neither one of us thinks that anyone is under an obligation to change for us, especially when the seats are quite different, and if nobody will, so be it. Everyone has his favorite seat and who are we to try to obligate someone to please us by displeasing himself. Although, you do know that the guy who won't change from 2B to 3B is usually just being a jerk.

Premex, I hope your generosity was genuinely appreciated by that couple.

In general, I am against asking anyone to change seats unless it's for a very good reason (so a child can sit with a parent, for instance; honeymooners, probably too). I think the best way to have someone change seats is refrain from asking right away. Wait till you get a sense of who you're sitting next to before you ask. If they're the type that acknowledge your presence, make small talk, etc., it helps. By casually mentioning your companion and the unfortunate circumstances that are preventing the two of you from sitting together, you stand a better chance than if the two of you approach the person during boarding.

I have been asked to swap many times (about 90% of those requests have been in F, with very few in Y). I have said yes 80% of the time. The exception is where I am not willing to accept the alternative seat (I book window and that is what I want).

kokonutz, http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif