Not switching seats with someone
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2008
Programs: AA Executive Platinum
Posts: 20
Not switching seats with someone
Yesterday on AA 87 (LHR to ORD) I was about to board and get in my 8J seat when they paged me to the counter. My seat was broken and I'd been moved to 11H. No harm no foul. I get on the plane and find someone in 11H. He said he switched with the person that was originally sitting there. I told him that that person was being moved to first and it was now my seat, but he made no move to get up. At all. He said that he had already traded and wanted to sit there because his partner was in 11J. I showed him my boarding pass, and nothing. No apology. No asking. Just sqauatters rights for the most part. I could tell that I was going to have to get someone very official to pry him out of the seat, so I went to his old seat, 8H. Well, in row 9 there was a family (two parents, one three year old and one lap child) who were the WORST people I've ever seen on a plane. The kids threw things, screamed, slamed things open and shut, cried, etc. for *8 straight hours*. I could only rest if I had my Bose and earplugs on, which makes for not the best or most comfortable sleep. 11H and J, if I ever see you again, don't be surprised if you get the worst case of stink eye you've ever seen. For all others, let me tell you that at least with me, squating in my seat, or not getting up when I show you my boarding pass, will NEVER work getting me to trade with you again. Lesson learned.
#2
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Why not discuss it w/the FA rather than giving up your assigned seat.
#3
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Texas
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I agree. It was your seat. Squatters' rights don't apply on airplanes.
#5
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#6
Join Date: Oct 2006
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So your original seat was 8H which was broken, you ended up in 8J instead. So really, if wasn't for the broken seat, you'd have screaming kids anyways???
Also, screaming baby in row 9 will certainly be nearly as annoying to someone in row 11.
Granted, sounds like the guy in row 11 was a douche, I constantly trade with people in F/J when I'm traveling with my fiance so we can sit together. Most of the time, people willingly trade with me (like seats, window for window/aisle for aisle, etc.). However, once in a while there's some jacka$$ who won't trade. I can't stand those people, like their entitled to that specific seat (which they are), but have some consideration for others. Sorry, this was more of a personal rant.
Anyways, to the original thread topic, people who don't switch seats for like or better seats are in my opinion A-holes. I understand switching aisle for window or anything for center, or moving back in the plane or moving too far away from bags, but people on flights should try to accommodate people traveling together if it doesn't affect them negatively.
Also, screaming baby in row 9 will certainly be nearly as annoying to someone in row 11.
Granted, sounds like the guy in row 11 was a douche, I constantly trade with people in F/J when I'm traveling with my fiance so we can sit together. Most of the time, people willingly trade with me (like seats, window for window/aisle for aisle, etc.). However, once in a while there's some jacka$$ who won't trade. I can't stand those people, like their entitled to that specific seat (which they are), but have some consideration for others. Sorry, this was more of a personal rant.
Anyways, to the original thread topic, people who don't switch seats for like or better seats are in my opinion A-holes. I understand switching aisle for window or anything for center, or moving back in the plane or moving too far away from bags, but people on flights should try to accommodate people traveling together if it doesn't affect them negatively.
#7
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: JFK/LGA
Programs: AA EXP/5 MM, BA Blue Bayou, HH LT Diamond
Posts: 5,828
So your original seat was 8H which was broken, you ended up in 8J instead. So really, if wasn't for the broken seat, you'd have screaming kids anyways???
Also, screaming baby in row 9 will certainly be nearly as annoying to someone in row 11.
Granted, sounds like the guy in row 11 was a douche, I constantly trade with people in F/J when I'm traveling with my fiance so we can sit together. Most of the time, people willingly trade with me (like seats, window for window/aisle for aisle, etc.). However, once in a while there's some jacka$$ who won't trade. I can't stand those people, like their entitled to that specific seat (which they are), but have some consideration for others. Sorry, this was more of a personal rant.
Anyways, to the original thread topic, people who don't switch seats for like or better seats are in my opinion A-holes. I understand switching aisle for window or anything for center, or moving back in the plane or moving too far away from bags, but people on flights should try to accommodate people traveling together if it doesn't affect them negatively.
Also, screaming baby in row 9 will certainly be nearly as annoying to someone in row 11.
Granted, sounds like the guy in row 11 was a douche, I constantly trade with people in F/J when I'm traveling with my fiance so we can sit together. Most of the time, people willingly trade with me (like seats, window for window/aisle for aisle, etc.). However, once in a while there's some jacka$$ who won't trade. I can't stand those people, like their entitled to that specific seat (which they are), but have some consideration for others. Sorry, this was more of a personal rant.
Anyways, to the original thread topic, people who don't switch seats for like or better seats are in my opinion A-holes. I understand switching aisle for window or anything for center, or moving back in the plane or moving too far away from bags, but people on flights should try to accommodate people traveling together if it doesn't affect them negatively.
I do think avoiding a sense of entitlement or certitude of the request being granted is in the first instance polite and the right thing to do, but also helps to ensure the smallminded perspective "it is my seat and you can't have it" doesn't rear its ugly head in the people who do have this D-bag "gene"- but it is recessive.
#8
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,606
Most of the time, people willingly trade with me (like seats, window for window/aisle for aisle, etc.). However, once in a while there's some jacka$$ who won't trade. I can't stand those people, like their entitled to that specific seat (which they are), but have some consideration for others. Sorry, this was more of a personal rant.
.
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Dave
#9
Join Date: Nov 2003
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It is ok to ask someone to move, but it is perfectly reasonable for that person to decline. I would be likely to decline a move from a middle block aisle to a side block aisle on flights which I take since I can be sure of no one wanting to climb over me to get out ( 2-2-2 ) configuration. There is no reason to expect someone to move to satisfy your desires; if wanting to sit together then ensure that it is done by check in. Seems a case of DYKWIA to class those that wont do what you want to be donkeys
Dave
Dave
#10
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Texas
Programs: AA PLT, AA 1MM, Marriott GLD
Posts: 473
It is ok to ask someone to move, but it is perfectly reasonable for that person to decline. I would be likely to decline a move from a middle block aisle to a side block aisle on flights which I take since I can be sure of no one wanting to climb over me to get out ( 2-2-2 ) configuration.
but people on flights should try to accommodate people traveling together if it doesn't affect them negatively.
But to the point of the OP, there's a difference in asking to switch and in just taking another seat because you want it. I wouldn't hesitate to ask a FA to intervene in that situation, although I admit, it's difficult to imagine someone being that much of a jerk, to take someone's seat without asking and refuse to relinquish it.
#11
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#12
Join Date: Nov 2006
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I constantly trade with people in F/J when I'm traveling with my fiance so we can sit together. Most of the time, people willingly trade with me (like seats, window for window/aisle for aisle, etc.). However, once in a while there's some jacka$$ who won't trade. I can't stand those people, like their entitled to that specific seat (which they are), but have some consideration for others. Sorry, this was more of a personal rant.
Agreed.
#13
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: TPE, MNL
Programs: AA lifetime GOLD, but still an AA Baby compare to people here. CX nobody. BR Silver.
Posts: 984
So for someone's opinion. A wants to sit with his friend or wife. A has B's seat assignment. A won't give it up. A did not ask nicely or apology. End up B is a jacka$$?
I don't mind to exchange the seat assignment if someone ask me nicely. If someone is in my seat assignment and he/she thinks he/she entitles to it, then I will think I entitle to it.
I don't mind to exchange the seat assignment if someone ask me nicely. If someone is in my seat assignment and he/she thinks he/she entitles to it, then I will think I entitle to it.
#14
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I think the lesson that should be learned is "if you want something to happen, find the way to make it happen."
Cheers.
#15
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The guy in the OP's post would have been getting out of my seat.
Cheers.