Last edit by: WineCountryUA
This is an archive thread, the active thread is DYKWIA stories (Traveling on United Airlines)
DYKWIA stories (Travelling on United Airlines) (Archive)
#2236
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: HKG • Ex SFO, NYC
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP; Marriott Amb; Hyatt Globalist; Shangri-la Diamond; IHG SpireAmb; Hilton D; Accor G
Posts: 3,319
Ok, I was being a bit over dramatic, but there are MANY mentions on multiple threads from different airlines here where the FA just doesn't care and doesn't want anything to do with it. So you either deal with it yourself in a "polite" manner or succumb. Yeah of course you can email 1k, GS, DL Diamond, DL 360, AA EXP, AA CK, etc.. If the FA gives a shrug and a "not my problem" which looks like the norm now then what do you do? You start any kind of scruff on a plane today and it is your fault and the others no matter what. Polite only works with other polite people, the rest could not give a damn and take advantage.
#2237
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: California
Programs: UA 1k
Posts: 107
this is insane and it angers me that a GS would try to forcibly pressure someone to switch seats with them.
"clearly, you know 5A is a more desirable seat, and you're trying to pressure this passenger into switching with you. should i call the FA over?"
feels a bit like cornering someone and repeatedly asking them to go on a date with you until they acquiesce.
"clearly, you know 5A is a more desirable seat, and you're trying to pressure this passenger into switching with you. should i call the FA over?"
feels a bit like cornering someone and repeatedly asking them to go on a date with you until they acquiesce.
I had someone sit in my seat on boarding a recent (17h!) flight. I noticed when going through the door and mentioned it to the FA who looked at my BP and confirmed "yeah, he's in the wrong spot" which made the following (paraphrased) easier:
Me: "I'm sorry, I think you are in my seat."
Seat Swapper: "Oh, I got them mixed up. Do you mind?"
M: "Yes, I like this one"
SS: "Really, it makes a difference to you?" (and he points to his unpacked stuff)
M: "Yes, I'm particular".
He seemed irritated with me that I made him move over (we were in 6 D/E on a 789), but not half as irritated as I'd have been if I'd let him take my obsessively carefully chosen seat.
#2238
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Chicago IL US
Programs: UA 1K; National Executive Elite; Hertz PC & Hotels Galore
Posts: 949
Not all GS are frequent flyers. Just sayin'
#2239
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Somewhere in EWR
Programs: UA GS, HH Diamond
Posts: 858
Love the presentation and would definitely say that, but I would need to pull a card out of my wallet to read it to them as I wouldn't be able to memorize that. I think that would even be better... Tell the offending passenger "hold on a second I have to get something out of my wallet/purse.. then begin to read from the laminated card" That would make them think twice/thrice..
#2240
Join Date: Feb 2015
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 957
Yeah, that really sucks (in particular the gender dynamics at display...).
I had someone sit in my seat on boarding a recent (17h!) flight. I noticed when going through the door and mentioned it to the FA who looked at my BP and confirmed "yeah, he's in the wrong spot" which made the following (paraphrased) easier:
Me: "I'm sorry, I think you are in my seat."
Seat Swapper: "Oh, I got them mixed up. Do you mind?"
M: "Yes, I like this one"
SS: "Really, it makes a difference to you?" (and he points to his unpacked stuff)
M: "Yes, I'm particular".
He seemed irritated with me that I made him move over (we were in 6 D/E on a 789), but not half as irritated as I'd have been if I'd let him take my obsessively carefully chosen seat.
I had someone sit in my seat on boarding a recent (17h!) flight. I noticed when going through the door and mentioned it to the FA who looked at my BP and confirmed "yeah, he's in the wrong spot" which made the following (paraphrased) easier:
Me: "I'm sorry, I think you are in my seat."
Seat Swapper: "Oh, I got them mixed up. Do you mind?"
M: "Yes, I like this one"
SS: "Really, it makes a difference to you?" (and he points to his unpacked stuff)
M: "Yes, I'm particular".
He seemed irritated with me that I made him move over (we were in 6 D/E on a 789), but not half as irritated as I'd have been if I'd let him take my obsessively carefully chosen seat.
#2241
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: CLE, DCA, and 30k feet
Programs: Honors LT Diamond; United 1K; Hertz PC
Posts: 4,169
So I had almost this exact situation occur on a flight from EWR-TLV a few months back. Poacher was sitting in my seat (I was pulled out for random check upon boarding and ended up with the end of BG1- I am fairly certain poacher was not GS). He claimed "religious reasons" for his need to sit there. I explained I shared his religion, and though I was considerably less observant, I was well aware that there were no valid religious reasons for him to move. He became belligerent, threatening to make my flight unpleasant if he were forced to cede my seat to me. Luckily a FA was close by, and he came over as he saw a brewing confrontation. After another thirty seconds of a standoff, I looked over to FA. He asked to seat BPs, told the poacher he was in the wrong seat and needed to move immediately so as not to hold up boarding. Poacher tried to make his original argument, and FA said that if that were the case he needed to have fixed that prior to boarding and that he could "either move or I'll have to radio to the gate to see what they recommend we do....it's possible that tomorrow's flight can better accomodate your needs if that is necessary". He moved. A few hours in I thanked the FA, and he said that his crew has gotten pretty good at handling those situations. He doesn't escalate, stays calm, and informs them that UA can take care of them.....but it's not going to be on this plane at this time.
I'm not observant of any particular religion, but I do get a little claustrophobic, especially on longer flights, if I can't see outside of the small metal tube, so I always book a window, and watch the assignments with some frequency to ensure no aircraft swap, etc. But this doesn't mean if I wind up in an aisle (IROPS, battlefield upgrade, whatever) that I'll just poach the windowee's seat. I'll board early, take my assigned seat, and when Mr./Ms. Window arrives just ask if they may prefer the aisle. So far I'm at 99%+ success [Out of 827 flights logged, only 1 middle and 18 aisles actually flown], with most people happy, even enthusiastic, to swap and I don't feel like I've walked over someone to get what I desired. Of course, I reciprocate when it comes to swapping rows for couples, etc. as long as they're polite and ask. Poach or start demanding, no thanks.
A little courtesy, especially when asking for a favor, goes a long way
#2242
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: VPS
Programs: IHG Diamond, Delta PM, Hilton Gold, Accor Gold, Marriott Silver
Posts: 7,270
I like public shaming when dealing with a self-entitled jerk like that. "I'm sorry you unpacked everything and got yourself settled in my seat but an experienced traveler like you must know that people select seats for a reason. I appreciate the fact you like my seat, I chose it for a reason and it's too bad you didn't select it first but don't give me your song-and-dance or try to bully me, just get out of my seat please."
#2243
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: SAN
Programs: 1K (since 2008), *G (since 1990), 1MM
Posts: 3,220
An arrogant German male who expected my female cousin to sit in his middle (2-4-2 configuration) to accommodate his demand to sit in the aisle seat and not his assigned middle seat and took a FA intervening.
A young female who sat in 6D next to me in 6E and commented to me it was a very nice seat (and I agreed). When Mr 6D turned up she tried to persuade him to sit in her window seat a few seats back and then when her female "wiles" did not work asked me (a female) to convince him it would be the gentlemanly thing to do. My response was she should sit in her assigned seat. The FA needed to intervene to ensure Mr 6D got his assigned seat.
I detest seat poachers - irrespective of their gender.
#2244
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: EWR
Programs: UA 1K & Marriott Titanium
Posts: 96
these situations are, unfortunately, all too common on this route. i've observed the same magic by FAs several times - they somehow always manage to calmly find a solution that works for everyone.
#2245
Join Date: Feb 2015
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 957
There also seems to be a LOT of DYKWIA on this route and many of the summer EWR-Europe routes, with folks assuming expensive tickets=special treatment.
#2246
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: USA
Programs: UA Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,195
No but if you start off by assuming their status implies a level of experience, you put the monkey on their back of explaining why, as an ultra-elite status flyer, they don't know how to get to the right seat. IMO, take their elite status and turn it into a detriment in this situation because they're CLEARLY being rude and arrogant by taking your seat if they do know better. They can always respond saying they've been up a long time or traveling a while and had a brain fart on which seat they had -- or that they just miscounted rows. It's happened to me a few times so it may even be true.
#2247
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: San Francisco
Programs: UA MM Plat, UA 1MM, Hilton Lifetime Gold, Marriott Gold, Hertz Gold, CLEAR, AS MVP Gold
Posts: 3,621
So I had almost this exact situation occur on a flight from EWR-TLV a few months back. Poacher was sitting in my seat (I was pulled out for random check upon boarding and ended up with the end of BG1- I am fairly certain poacher was not GS). He claimed "religious reasons" for his need to sit there. I explained I shared his religion, and though I was considerably less observant, I was well aware that there were no valid religious reasons for him to move. He became belligerent, threatening to make my flight unpleasant if he were forced to cede my seat to me. Luckily a FA was close by, and he came over as he saw a brewing confrontation. After another thirty seconds of a standoff, I looked over to FA. He asked to seat BPs, told the poacher he was in the wrong seat and needed to move immediately so as not to hold up boarding. Poacher tried to make his original argument, and FA said that if that were the case he needed to have fixed that prior to boarding and that he could "either move or I'll have to radio to the gate to see what they recommend we do....it's possible that tomorrow's flight can better accomodate your needs if that is necessary". He moved. A few hours in I thanked the FA, and he said that his crew has gotten pretty good at handling those situations. He doesn't escalate, stays calm, and informs them that UA can take care of them.....but it's not going to be on this plane at this time.
#2248
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: DAY/CMH
Programs: UA MileagePlus
Posts: 2,474
This is a joke right? I am not religious but would someone please explain what "religious reasons" there is for a seat selection?! What is this some "Church of Creative Seat Selection"! I typically board last for reasons previously posted and only rarely run into seat poaching. I typically don't even hassle with speaking to the "poacher" I leave it up to the FAs who always are happy to intervene.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Apr 3, 2019 at 3:56 pm Reason: Removed an unneeded characterisation of a community FT 12.2
#2249
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: CT/NY
Programs: UA 1K/1MM, AA EXP, Marriott LT Titanium, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Plat Amb
Posts: 6,021
I like public shaming when dealing with a self-entitled jerk like that. "I'm sorry you unpacked everything and got yourself settled in my seat but an experienced traveler like you must know that people select seats for a reason. I appreciate the fact you like my seat, I chose it for a reason and it's too bad you didn't select it first but don't give me your song-and-dance or try to bully me, just get out of my seat please."
Fast forward an hour later, the same lady was spotting at my company's office checking in as a visitor. The look on her face, when she saw me, was priceless.
That actually happened to me ex-PDX, where two monks were traveling and they could not seat next to a woman, nor would they respond to the female flight attendant nor the female first officer. Also, they have to have their own row and cannot sit next to each other. It was only when the captain threatened to deplane them before they would accept their seats as is, with the female passengers swapped seats with another male passenger. I believe these same monks were on another UA flight, where the female passenger filed a complaint and it hit national news.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Apr 3, 2019 at 3:56 pm Reason: Quote updated to reflect Moderator edit
#2250
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.997MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,861
We were getting far off-topic (DYKWIA) and far beyond the UA related issues, perhaps into OMNI land, so removed some of the OT discisson. -- Hoever, there plenty of FT threads on this topic for those interested in pursuing this farther
ultra-Orthodox Jewish pax refuse to sit next to women on El Al flight JFK-Tel Aviv
El Al Under Fire After Re-Seating Women Away From Orthodox Men
NY-Israel flight delayed by ultra-Orthodox men’s refusal to sit next to women
Passengers Cause Chaos by Refusing to Sit Next to Women on Easyjet Flight
Florida woman sues El Al over gender segregation
Female Traveler Removed from Seat at Request of Pakistani "Monks" (UA forum)
Let's return to our regularly schedule DYKWIA discussion
WineCountryUA
UA coModerator
ultra-Orthodox Jewish pax refuse to sit next to women on El Al flight JFK-Tel Aviv
El Al Under Fire After Re-Seating Women Away From Orthodox Men
NY-Israel flight delayed by ultra-Orthodox men’s refusal to sit next to women
Passengers Cause Chaos by Refusing to Sit Next to Women on Easyjet Flight
Florida woman sues El Al over gender segregation
Female Traveler Removed from Seat at Request of Pakistani "Monks" (UA forum)
Let's return to our regularly schedule DYKWIA discussion
WineCountryUA
UA coModerator
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Apr 3, 2019 at 3:51 pm