Jan 27, 2024, 10:41 pm
How do you handle a seat change request? Do you ever feel like a jerk for saying no?
Feb 9, 2022, 4:17 pm
#76
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I had my seat swapped this morning by a gate agent at ORD, and I didn't even have a chance to say no. I first noticed the change when I opened the pass on my app when boarding began and saw that my seat had changed from 4B to 1A. I asked the gate agent why, and she told me a family had asked to sit together. When I told her I chose the seat I did because I prefer not to be on the bulkhead, the response was, "Sorry, that's all we have left." Apparently I was not the only one with a surprise last minute seat change. I heard another couple asking the flight attendants during boarding why their seats had been changed.
Feb 9, 2022, 5:29 pm
#77
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I wonder if this is one of those times it's advantageous to have a paper BP. The agent would have had to print out a new BP and, presumably, call you up to the podium, giving you at least a slight chance to revert to your old seat. Having the agent wait until you get the "invalid" beep while boarding, then handing you a replacement BP with a brush off comment about changing your seat, would have inevitably led to you holding up the line while (politely) complaining about the seat swap - and shining a light on the agent's actions.
Feb 9, 2022, 9:54 pm
#78
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It's good practice to always print at least TWO copies of your boarding pass, so that you still have a copy if some agent grabs one. (I do this because I'm required to submit a boarding pass as well as the ticket receipt for reimbursement, but it's handy always to have a spare copy.)
Feb 9, 2022, 10:13 pm
#79
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It's good practice to always print at least TWO copies of your boarding pass, so that you still have a copy if some agent grabs one. (I do this because I'm required to submit a boarding pass as well as the ticket receipt for reimbursement, but it's handy always to have a spare copy.)
Feb 10, 2022, 3:24 am
#80
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I would say the latter is safer because the GA is unlikely to confiscate one's cell phone.
Likewise, boarding early during such involuntary seat-change situations is also a "best practice" in accord with the legal maxim, "First in time is first in right."
Feb 10, 2022, 3:02 pm
#81
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I used to print all BPs (in the event of phone failure) but had stopped doing so. Maybe I need to resuscitate that process. Of course that does not address the seat stealers who take your seat before you have boarded, or the FAs that enable them. Unfortunately another reason to waste time lining up so you can board as early as possible.
Feb 10, 2022, 7:50 pm
#82
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I used to print all BPs (in the event of phone failure) but had stopped doing so. Maybe I need to resuscitate that process. Of course that does not address the seat stealers who take your seat before you have boarded, or the FAs that enable them. Unfortunately another reason to waste time lining up so you can board as early as possible.
*n.b. copies as if I ever need to give a g/a or f/a my bp, I want my own copy in case the one I give away walks away
Feb 11, 2022, 10:34 am
#83
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But you've got to clear the aisle, so hovering anywhere is going to be someone else's seat 
So my approach is to stand at the seat I would like, with my bag in hand and not overhead or under seat. I hope that conveys that I am looking for a swap, but not being presumptive. And always, always, always, give up the ask promptly and gracefully, with a smile, if it is declined.
So my approach is to stand at the seat I would like, with my bag in hand and not overhead or under seat. I hope that conveys that I am looking for a swap, but not being presumptive. And always, always, always, give up the ask promptly and gracefully, with a smile, if it is declined.
Feb 11, 2022, 10:42 am
#84
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On a recent flight into EWR on an Embraer I was in 1A. 1C boards a little later, his (presumably) wife behind him. He puts both their bags above his seat, sits down, says “don’t worry, I’ll take care of it”, and she walks on. When boarding is complete, he leans across the aisle and asks me if I wouldn’t mind switching seats with his wife. I thought it strange that he didn’t ask 1D. I ask him where his wife is sitting and he tells me “just a few rows back, and she has an empty seat next to her.” A few rows back turns out to be 10, so I suggested it would be easier if he joined her.
Feb 11, 2022, 11:02 am
#85
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On a recent flight into EWR on an Embraer I was in 1A. 1C boards a little later, his (presumably) wife behind him. He puts both their bags above his seat, sits down, says “don’t worry, I’ll take care of it”, and she walks on. When boarding is complete, he leans across the aisle and asks me if I wouldn’t mind switching seats with his wife. I thought it strange that he didn’t ask 1D. I ask him where his wife is sitting and he tells me “just a few rows back, and she has an empty seat next to her.” A few rows back turns out to be 10, so I suggested it would be easier if he joined her.
I'm sure once wifey was in your seat and I discovered your new one was in coach, you would be out of luck trying to get her out.
This is why if asked to swap, I demand to inspect a copy of the other person's boarding pass to see exactly where I am going. No BP, discussion is over.
Just wow
Feb 11, 2022, 12:47 pm
#87
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I had my seat swapped this morning by a gate agent at ORD, and I didn't even have a chance to say no. I first noticed the change when I opened the pass on my app when boarding began and saw that my seat had changed from 4B to 1A. I asked the gate agent why, and she told me a family had asked to sit together. When I told her I chose the seat I did because I prefer not to be on the bulkhead, the response was, "Sorry, that's all we have left." Apparently I was not the only one with a surprise last minute seat change. I heard another couple asking the flight attendants during boarding why their seats had been changed.
Feb 11, 2022, 1:01 pm
#88
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On a recent flight into EWR on an Embraer I was in 1A. 1C boards a little later, his (presumably) wife behind him. He puts both their bags above his seat, sits down, says “don’t worry, I’ll take care of it”, and she walks on. When boarding is complete, he leans across the aisle and asks me if I wouldn’t mind switching seats with his wife. I thought it strange that he didn’t ask 1D. I ask him where his wife is sitting and he tells me “just a few rows back, and she has an empty seat next to her.” A few rows back turns out to be 10, so I suggested it would be easier if he joined her.
Feb 11, 2022, 2:28 pm
#89
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Wow you handled it nicely - I would have probably blown a fuse if they tried to pull that stunt, that is just over the top being a jerk.
I'm sure once wifey was in your seat and I discovered your new one was in coach, you would be out of luck trying to get her out.
This is why if asked to swap, I demand to inspect a copy of the other person's boarding pass to see exactly where I am going. No BP, discussion is over.
Just wow
I'm sure once wifey was in your seat and I discovered your new one was in coach, you would be out of luck trying to get her out.
This is why if asked to swap, I demand to inspect a copy of the other person's boarding pass to see exactly where I am going. No BP, discussion is over.
Just wow
Last edited by SS255; Feb 11, 2022 at 6:26 pm
Feb 11, 2022, 3:02 pm
#90
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I had similar happen on an airline other than United recently. I had an exit row aisle seat at the 2nd door of a 757. When I go to board, it spits out a new boarding pass for the window seat one row back. I said what is this? The gate agent told me that she moved me so a parent could sit with their child. Only like a 1 hr flight from south Florida to ATL so I said whatever. Ended up getting my original seat anyway since the child wasn't old enough to sit in exit row, and I showed my original mobile boarding pass to the flight attendant.