How do you handle a seat change request? {Archive}

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Nov 19, 2017, 1:36 pm

#181

MatthewLAX

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Feb 2007

Location: Los Angeles / Basel

Programs: UA 1K MM, AA EXP, Hyatt Globalist

Posts: 26,928

Live from ORD-LAX.

1K in 8D (Economy Plus aisle). I'm in row 7.

Father in basic economy with two young boys starts juggling. He has 8F and asks the man in 8D to move to 31D...

The man is gracious and agrees. The middle seat passenger comes...he agrees to move back to a middle seat even further back.

I'm thinking...wow, nice people. And horrible father for separting his boys to save a few bucks.

Then the 1K gets upgraded -- 31D becomes 2D. Nice.

We take off. The kid behind me throws up over eveyrhting. Nasty. The stench is unberablae rihgt now, though I feel sorry for the litle guy.

FAs have tried their best to sanitize the area, but it still stinks.

Bet the guys were happy they volunteered to move instead of sitting next to sick junior.

Nov 19, 2017, 2:24 pm

#182

JHake10

Join Date: Apr 2012

Location: SFO

Programs: AS MVP Gold 75K, UA Gold, Marriott LTT, Avis President's Club

Posts: 1,539

Quote:

Originally Posted by MatthewLAX

I just don't understand why groups pay for these tickets then inconvenience other people. However, it seemed to work out for those who people who moved.

If you are searching for more than 1 passanger, .bomb shouldn't even show BE (wishful thinking).

Nov 19, 2017, 2:45 pm

#183

SS255

Join Date: Mar 2003

Location: Los Angeles, CA

Programs: UA 1K 1MMer & LT UC (when flying UA); Hyatt Credit Cardist; HHonors Diamond; Marriott Gold via UA 1K

Posts: 6,956

Quote:

Originally Posted by MatthewLAX

Please tell me that the GA cleared a standby into 8D, and the standby and insisted on sitting in the seat on his/her boarding pass?

Nov 19, 2017, 3:48 pm

#184

Loren Pechtel

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Jun 2005

Posts: 38,410

Quote:

Originally Posted by JHake10

I disagree. However, if there are minors involved it shouldn't offer BE.

Nov 19, 2017, 4:11 pm

#185

MatthewLAX

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Feb 2007

Location: Los Angeles / Basel

Programs: UA 1K MM, AA EXP, Hyatt Globalist

Posts: 26,928

Quote:

Originally Posted by SS255

Please tell me that the GA cleared a standby into 8D, and the standby and insisted on sitting in the seat on his/her boarding pass?

Unfortunately not.

Nov 19, 2017, 7:21 pm

#186

Aussienarelle

Join Date: Oct 2015

Location: SAN

Programs: 1K (since 2008), *G (since 1990), 1MM

Posts: 3,219

Quote:

Originally Posted by MatthewLAX

I am trying to understand why Mr 8F did not offer to swap with 31F (which have been my suggestion if asked to swap) but guess the dad wanted the better seats.

I too feel sorry for kids who throw up and sympathy for the surrounding passengers in that situation.

Nov 19, 2017, 10:02 pm

#187

Two Bee

Join Date: Aug 2017

Location: LAS

Programs: 3 MMer

Posts: 458

Quote:

Originally Posted by SS255

Please tell me that the GA cleared a standby into 8D, and the standby and insisted on sitting in the seat on his/her boarding pass?

Oh! That's what those boarding passes are good for ---sitting on them when someone pukes. Then what are those little blue bags for?

Nov 19, 2017, 10:34 pm

#188

bartonhill

Join Date: Sep 2003

Location: Austin

Programs: CO Plat, Hertz Gold, Hilton & Avis Gold, Starwood Gold

Posts: 62

Wife Swapping on UA

I am surprised that you are so happy with the wife swap deal but who am I to judge?
But more seriously, on a trip from BWI to IAH I did my best to make the guy in the next seat uncomfortable for not accomadating an even swap in row 4. Total jerk to refuse. Be kind folks.

Quote:

Originally Posted by PsiFighter37

I can sympathize with that - but it really has to be like for like. My wife and I were the last folks upgraded on EWR-BRU a couple years back, and we were sitting in the last row of J on an sCO 772 - I was left side aisle, she was right side window. I asked the guy in the left side window next to me if he would be willing to swap with my wife, as there's literally no difference between the seats. I figured that was a very reasonable ask, but if he had said no? Whatever...that's life...I would be thankful just to be in the front cabin to begin with.

Nov 19, 2017, 11:19 pm

#189

narvik

Join Date: May 2010

Location: AVP & PEK

Programs: UA 1K 1.9MM

Posts: 6,355

Quote:

Originally Posted by bartonhill

But more seriously, on a trip from BWI to IAH I did my best to make the guy in the next seat uncomfortable for not accomadating an even swap in row 4. Total jerk to refuse. Be kind folks.

How is "[doing one's best] to make the guy in the next seat uncomfortable" being kind?

I used to be more inclined to accept seat change requests....lately not so much. Probably met too many people such as in the YouTube clip upthread.

Nov 20, 2017, 12:07 am

#190

malgudi

Join Date: Dec 2002

Location: SFO

Posts: 3,942

Good one ... people in glass houses, stones etc

Quote:

Originally Posted by narvik

How is "[doing one's best] to make the guy in the next seat uncomfortable" being kind?

Nov 20, 2017, 12:09 am

#191

Two Bee

Join Date: Aug 2017

Location: LAS

Programs: 3 MMer

Posts: 458

I don't change with anybody, unless there's a kid behind me with perfect seat kickin' legs!

Nov 20, 2017, 12:57 am

#192

narvik

Join Date: May 2010

Location: AVP & PEK

Programs: UA 1K 1.9MM

Posts: 6,355

Quote:

Originally Posted by Two Bee

I don't change with anybody, unless there's a kid behind me with perfect seat kickin' legs!

You mean 99.3% then?

Nov 20, 2017, 7:19 am

#193

Artpen100

Join Date: Jul 2011

Programs: AA Plat, UA 1K>Plat>moving to Silver

Posts: 2,090

Quote:

Originally Posted by hughw

It looks like I may have to ask someone tuesday.....I think we're going to cleared on a waitlist in Business for a TATL non-stop vs. a connecting flight. there's a half dozen scattered seats...if possibly, I'll take 3B and 4A on a 767. We'll ask the passenger in 4B if they'll switch to 3B....

3B to 4B on a 767? This is the kind of business class swap I have agreed to before to accommodate people who wanted to sit next to each other. In business class, I generally don't mind switching unless it is to one of those 4 across on the 777. It is the premium/regular/basic economy seat swaps where the flight experience can vary a lot depending on the seat.

Nov 20, 2017, 8:45 am

#194

CashN

Join Date: Apr 2010

Location: California

Programs: UA GS MM SPG Platinum (Lifetime Platinum)

Posts: 428

I have moved about 6 times over 9 years as 1K. In the past two years, probably declined 5 requests.

I was burned a couple times when someone said they were in an aisle but it was actually a window. One of the times I was pissed off when they gave me the wrong seat and confronted them for my seat back. Additionally, in today's universe you are entitled to a free beverage and moving just makes it more of a hassle to get the drink.

Outside of elderly people or moving to the same equivalent there is no way.

Nov 20, 2017, 9:59 am

#195

Proudelitist

Suspended

Join Date: Nov 2015

Posts: 1,808

Quote:

Originally Posted by bartonhill

Was it his assigned seat? If so, he has every right to retain it. And you have no right to punish him for it. He's not a jerk for refusing to keep what is his.

Follow you own advice. Being kind means not bothering others to serve your own wants.