Odd / Uncomfortable experience on United flight - should I be upset?
Aug 5, 2016, 9:45 pm
#31
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: san francisco
Programs: No airline status whatsoever, Chase URs, HHonors Diamond, IHG Platinum
Posts: 567
Uncouth behaviour rules ... people are completely clueless and if they even 'get it' they don't care. They don't know you, they'll never see you again, they don't care what you think. I would have gotten up to go find a different seat. Failing that, you bring your book and music along on flights for a reason ... and this is one of them.
Aug 5, 2016, 10:00 pm
#32
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: ORD
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Platinum/LT Platinum, Hilton Gold
Posts: 5,594
Completely agree with all your points re: addressing the behavior, but there are multiple cultures out there that emphasize suffering in silence / avoiding conflict.
Personally, I try to avoid conflict where possible - and given my own personal preferences, chose to grin and bear it. I fully recognize this may not be what you would've done, but to each their own.
Personally, I try to avoid conflict where possible - and given my own personal preferences, chose to grin and bear it. I fully recognize this may not be what you would've done, but to each their own.
I wouldn't have confronted them either in this situation. Not sure what I would have done. All I can think of is that I would have talked to a FA and asked to be reseated if it bothered me. And that's not usually a great outcome either, even if there is an open seat.
I think the best course of action, as others have said, is to write a complaint. Identify the flight, date, and seats and ask for the behavior to be addressed.
Aug 6, 2016, 3:15 pm
#34
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: CLE
Programs: UA Gold, HH Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 3,661
I had a similar situation recently, but it was with non employees. The guy's hand was on the woman's thigh as high as he could possibly go. She was curling up all over him. I was uncomfortable but didn't say anything, because if you say something, people can make things even uglier to retaliate.
I understand why folks might say to say something to the couple, but when I've asked men not to encroach on my space, they often encroach even further.
I understand why folks might say to say something to the couple, but when I've asked men not to encroach on my space, they often encroach even further.
Aug 6, 2016, 5:02 pm
#35
formerly FrequentFlyKid
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Cleveland, Ohio
Programs: United Global Services, Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador, National Executive Elite
Posts: 981
Even demanding to see a revenue passenger's boarding pass and then commenting to the effect that they're disappointed to find a customer in their row is at least borderline inappropriate. In fact, I'm not sure nonrevs are supposed to display their airline IDs in public after getting past airport security.
I know that on DL, nonrevs aren't allowed to ask revenue passengers to swap seats and they're also not supposed to criticize their own seating assignments.
The overriding most important principle is not to disturb, annoy, or inconvenience the airline's paying passengers.
I know that on DL, nonrevs aren't allowed to ask revenue passengers to swap seats and they're also not supposed to criticize their own seating assignments.
The overriding most important principle is not to disturb, annoy, or inconvenience the airline's paying passengers.
As for the PDA issue I would say this is more subjective. It certainly doesn't sound like what they were doing was appropriate behavior for a public setting; his employment status notwithstanding.
Just remember that if you report this to UA they will be able to immediately identify the employee. The consequences for him could be very severe so I would just suggest that you really gauge how upsetting this was and if it is worth the potential outcome.