I'm sure it is. And if you think so, then it is your responsibility to see that it does not happen.

But what happens if your polite request is politely refused? What would you have done if no one would switch?

Yes, I understand that everything worked out . . . that time. But what if it didn't? I assume you related your experience in response to my assertion that a parent almost always has control over where she sits with her child -- yours was an example when of when a parent didn't have that control. IMHO you did -- you had seats together, but elected to take the op up.

None taken, nor do I mean to offend you. Irrespective of your flying experience, can you think of any situation involving reserved seating in which seat location is fungible? You may not have flown often, but you've been to the theater, to sporting events or to concerts, haven't you? If you wanted to your daughter to one of these, would you book separate seats and assume that something could be done once you got there? Why would you believe that reserved seats on an airplane are any different?

It does. You were advised by the agent that seat-swapping would be involved. Honestly, did you not consider that, perhaps, there might be people who wouldn't want to swap, or, that there might not be enough people willing to swap to accommodate all who needed it?

If, for example, my wife and I were both seated in window seats, I would not swap for an aisle so that I could sit next to her. My wife and I travel internationally quite frequently -- we've had many 15+ hour flights to China in which we've sat in non-adjacent seats.

I appreciate that, and you've been polite and respectful in this thread, which I also appreciate. What if the FA had said, "I'm sorry, Downunder Girl, but no one seems willing to switch and I can't force them to change seats"?

I have neither. How is that, in any way, relevant to this discussion? Are you an over-worked, middle-aged attorney with a flying phobia? Do you have any experience flying with one?

What misinformation would that be?

In 20+ years of frequent flying, I've only had to take a non-window seat three times. It's not a matter of luck. It's a matter of planning, and a willingness to be extremely flexible in my flight and airline selections, along with a recognition that make particular personal requirements are my responsibility, only.

PTravel

Ok I think the spirit of this thread has got lost somewhat.

Generally I think we agree on most things. A sense of entitlement with seating is not welcome and whereever possible, people should plan their seating arrangements if they have special requirements. Clearly you are angry about this, through your flying experience and I can understand that. The point I was making, which I believe other posters on here were also trying to make to you, was sometimes there are occasions that end up out of the person's control for whatever reason. You disagree, ok well let's agree to disagree .

With regard to your other questions regarding what I would have done, well really "how long is a piece of string"? I have outlined my particular aircraft experience, should I end up with another experience along the lines you describe, I shall let you know . Until then, I am not going to speculate.

I dont see the point of thrashing this out any further. I posted my opinion which I am entitled to do, as are you. We dont have to agree on every point.

If a footrest is more comfortable than empty space, then great! But if you'd prefer the space, why not just remove the bag from YOUR space and place it in the aisle for the PX or FA to properly attend to?

hmm I can see a bit of a storm brewing here between ptravel and downunder_girl... and I think it's avoidable... It seems to me that both of you agree on most salient points, but there's disagreement on the key points of travelling with younger children and "what if the seat swap won't happen"

For my opinion on this I think that even though I have no children of my own, I can definitely see why a parent would treat the situation differently if it was their child involvolved. An adult pair, such as a married couple or colleagues, can look after eachother even if they can't sit together - no big deal. A child is a dependent on its parent/s and I don't think anyone would want to leave their child in a seat not next to them.

This whole debate has risen out of the example downunder_girl used, which, to be honest, is pretty rare - that one of operational upgrades to a higher cabin. If they had NOT been offered the op ups, then they would have sat together anyway since downunder_girl did all the planning, as ptravel was saying, to sit together. The unforseen situation (a very nice one, incidently) of being offered op ups doesn't happen often and it's not something you really plan for, because that suggests an expectation. I think Ptravel's question is legitimate enough - what if you *can't* swap with anyone (full plane, unwilling passengers, F/A no help etc)... it is interesting and I don't think ANYONE can answer this one with a flat out answer - all circumstances are different. One person's 7 year old child may be able to sit OK by themselves(next to a stranger) while the next one's couldm't and/or the parents might or might not feel comfortable with the situation regardless of the child's age.

As for the OP... clearly there was a real presumption by the person with the kids saying "you may need to move" - a presumption of "right" to take those seats because "they want to sit together" - frankly I think that was an inappropriate thing to do - to say to someone sitting down "You may need to move" - I think the polite thing to say would have been "Uh look we've been split up and I'm hoping we can sort something out so we can sit together.." or similar...

Unfortunately some people don't have manners.

I think it is generally understood that more experienced travellers, specially when flying with family or friends, will organise as much as they can seating and other stuff. Others only fly very infrequently and may not think of these things until it's too late... and of those people some feel an entitlement such as the people in the OP's post... but most I've found are pretty willing to either try and sort something out politely, or accept it.

Just my 2 cents.

Not at all. Downunder Girl has been civil and respectful, and I hope I have been as well. As she said in her most recent post, we'll simply have to agree to disagree. We don't all have to agree about everything on FT, and it's nice that we can all get along anyway. ^

And I don't, for one moment, question that in the least. Younger children need to sit with their parents for everyone's benefit -- the children, the parents and the other passengers.

That's the point. Earlier in this thread, I mentioned misconnects and equipment changes as examples of situations that would be out of a parent's control (I also indicated I was more willing to accommodate a parent in such a circumstance). However, another poster also mentioned not being able to get seats together at booking. That's a situation that is readily avoidable by the parent -- simply book another flight. There is an assumption, however, (and a presumption) that the parent will be able to engineer a seat switch, and it is that presumption to which I object. I don't know any other class of passenger that would make such an assumption (other than the seat poachers whom, we all agree, are selfish boors who merit no consideration whatsoever).

I don't know the situation outside the U.S., but at least here, our domestic airlines' competitive race to the bottom has resulted in far more Kettles and Gomers flying than ever before. It's not just the entitlement-demanding parents (that's not you, Downunder Girl ), it's the seat poachers, the duffel-bag-the-size-of-Cleveland totters, the smelly-cheese-sandwich bringers, the put-my-dirty-and-smelly-feet-on-your-armrest people, the chatter boxes, the DVD-player-without-headphone listeners, etc. all of whom have, in combination with an increasingly disinterested airline management, made the process of flying unnecessarily unpleasant. As I've said in other threads, my attitude about flying comes down to, "Leave me the h*ll alone" (and I, in turn, covenant to leave you the h*ll alone, too). Entitlement-demanding is problematic (and there are some people, for example high-status fliers, F-ticket buyers, etc. who are entitled and should have the right to demand), and parental entitlement-demanding (again, not you Downunder Girl) is an unfortunately common species. However, I'm an equal-opportunity curmudgeon -- I won't swap for a lesser seat for anyone, unless there is a reason that I find compelling. An injured pax, an elderly couple celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary OR a family separated by a misconnect or irreg. op. are all reasons that I would find sufficiently compelling that I would consider the swap. Most anything else? "Leave me the h*ll alone!"

Perhaps we could help educate the flying public AND the flight crews by carrying seat maps with us when we fly. Before boarding we could circle all of the seats that are equal to or superior to the one we are assigned. In some cases that might be one seat, in others it might be 50.

Then if one is asked to swap one can truly be helpful by saying, "I'd be glad to move and will accept any seat that is at least equal to the one I'm sitting in. Here's a seating chart with acceptable seats circled. Just let me know which one you'd like me to take."

This way you can be helpful and let seat-swappers know that they can't expect to just demand any seat on the plane. Everybody happy and more educated. Something tells me the look on these people's faces would be worth seeing.

Of course, the way this works in real life is you painstakingly prepare the seat maps for 20 flights in a row and nobody asks to swap seats. On the 21rst flight you are in a hurry and forget, and in walks the Kettle family.

Thank you, you are right, its not me

Rebelyell - a fantastic idea @:-)

Dont laugh , but I plan to travel with seatguru maps of my aircraft for every flight. I am going to be well prepared this time around . No bossy FAs will be TELLING me to move to the last row of the plane from my well selected seats (and yes, it was on SQ not UA) .

Flying JetStar from Adelaide to Brisbane last week...

Couple asks me if I'd mind moving. It was to another aisle seat just three rows back so I happily agreed. Flight continues to board. I can't believe my luck and don't dare to think of it until the door closes. I ended up with three seats to myself. The gentleman passed me on the way to the loo and smiled, "Guess that was your reward for being generous and swapping."

A win win I think.

Can't resist relating three seating incidents, two of which explain why I only switch seats these days for someone who asks nicely (or if an FA, having the power of God on the plane) asks.

1. About 10 years ago - full AC flight from Calgary to Toronto. 767, I believe. This one worked out nicely. Had an aisle seat in Y that two of us had assigned. So, the FA moves me to another seat where two of us also had seat assignments. So, standing in the aisle as they were ready to push back, I suggested that they put me in F - which they did! Only concession I had to make was to be the last one to get served for breakfast after all the real F passengers. So, eggs for me instead of french toast. Not a bad deal for a free upgrade. ^

2. Also about 10 years ago - UA 777 from LHR to EWR. Had an aisle seat in the first row of coach, so lots of legroom and the flip-up video screen instead of the seatback as in the rest of Y. Was smart enough to snag that seat in advance when I booked the ticket. Mr. Beanpole (well over 6 feet tall) and his wife, an older couple, get on and apparently have regular seats in the rear of the cabin. FA asks me if I would mind switching seats with him so he could have the extra legroom. Trying to be a nice guy, I agree and switch with him, ending up next to his wife. Neither of them so much as thanks me for making the switch so his knees are not in his chest for 8 hours. No thanks, extra glass of wine, or anything from the FA either. Last time I ever give up that seat.

3. Last month. US from BOS to PHL. Packed 737. Late, too, so many passengers are missing their connections in PHL (fortunately, I am terminating there - every time I see folks trying to connect there it seems to suck royally). This really obnoxious 20-something-ish lady and her husband hang out in the rear of the plane hoping against hope to get seats together. Not going to happen as all of the aisle and window seats are pre-booked (I snagged the last one - an aisle). So, finally they take their separated middle seats and she begins complaining under her breath about their not being able to get two seats together. Of course, they have never asked anyone to move, just seemed to expect it. Rude to me the whole flight and then practically runs me down when I get up to take my bag out from under the seat in front of me. Couldn't even wait for me to stand up and move out of her way. If she had asked, like other people have over the years, for me to let her out first, I would have had no trouble with that. Then gets stuck in the conga line in the aisle to get off, so for all of her trouble, she ends up about 5 people in front of me and even in front of her husband.

Need to add that last year when I flew the family to SFO for vacation, we ended up spread across three nearby rows (3 together, an aisle in the row behind, and another aisle behind that), we just took it and lived for the 5 hours.

So, moral of the story is that I am willing to accommodate any reasonable request but the request needs to be made nicely and with the realization that if I have a good seat, I am making a sacrifice to switch as free upgrades like the one AC gave me just do not happen much these days.