But you weren't in your seat that someone else took. You left it. What is there to ask?


Let me guess -- this time interval should be slightly greater than the amount of time YOU want to be in the window seat? http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...orum/smile.gif

You didn't go to the lavatory or visit someone elsewhere on the plane and then someone took your seat. That's different.

I also like to look out the window. That's why I reserve a window seat and sit in it the entire flight.

Not when you stand up, it's when you sit down in a different seat.


Possibly related story -- one time my son and I flew AirTran LGA to PHF (Newport News, VA). We got seat assignments a couple of rows from the front of coach. All the seats were occupied around us.

After takeoff, I noticed the back of the plane was completely empty. We picked up our stuff and moved back there. I don't know if someone else up front took our seats, nor do I care. I stayed in the back and spread out. http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...orum/smile.gif

They may have given people seat assignments all in the front for balancing purposes (717, DC-9, MD-80, etc. have a center of gravity further back due to the rear mounted engines). That, plus the fact that when they closed the door, we started pushback immediately, is why I waited until after takeoff to move back.

If I want to keep a whole row to myself, I raise the armrests, move to the center seat for take off, put stuff on both the window and aisle seats, and then make a bed for myself across the row after takeoff.

Exactly! I also lie down until taxi begins (must be upright for taxi, takeoff and landing). This discourages any seat-takers when I want to keep my blocked row to myself.

Their CG is further back, but their wings are too. Every aircraft is designed so that the center of lift (roughly a third of the way back along the wing's cross-section, taking into account the average position of a swept wing along the aircraft) is at the expected CG. It's possible that they might have put all the passengers at one end of the cabin to balance an unusual cargo load, since there are (small) fuel savings from using less trim, but unlikely in an aircraft larger than a commuter turbo. If they did, engine position (aft vs. wing) had nothing to do with it.

Well your seat hoppers would have been out of there in a second if you said, "Excuse me that is actually my reserved seat. I just thought I'd look out the window for take off." Then get up and move back to your seat!
However I do agree that there should be an interval during which seats are not swapped and therefore during this time everyone should stay in his or her own seat! I rarely change seats before takeoff without asking a flight attendant once the door has been closed before take off. After take off I think it's okay to move around. Still I make my seat assignements at the time of reservation and stick to em!

This really says it best, along with Tazi's. I never move to a better seat in a different row until after takeoff and I ALWAYS ask the FA. (geez, that's just common courtesy!) but I will slide over in my own row as soon as the door closes. I leave my stuff on the seat and if anyone ever wants the seat I offer the window and move back to my beloved aisle.

SIDEBAR: I have zero qualms to say, "Sorry, this is an exit row, you need to ask the FA" if they are fat or underage or too old.



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"Waiter? May I have another latté, please?"

OK - I'm prpoerly chastised.

Next time I'll know better. (Yeah - I'm a slow learner. http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...orum/smile.gif )

Still, I doubt if anyone would try that in the front cabin.

I was in F on a flight to somewhere LAS on AA.. My friend didnt clear for the upgrade, so I asked the FA if I could switch my F seat with the anon party sitting next to my friend (in a middle seat too!)

FA 'Had to ask the captain' Who said NO!

NEVER had that problem before.. I think the FA just thought I was extremely suspicious for wanting to give up an F seat (With a meal no less http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...orum/smile.gif)

http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...um/biggrin.gif I usually plant myself in the aisle seat and put my stuff in center and window for takeoff.

Except on my last flight where the whole crew showed up late and everyone was boarded and seated way before they had arrived. I was already comfortably stretched out, tucked in and belted in ready for take-off http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...orum/smile.gif