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