UA FA Actually Booted Seat Poacher from Economy Plus Seat
Sep 15, 2019, 11:09 am
#31
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, AA, DL
Posts: 7,418
You should've indeed called for the FA. If she took the windownseat and stayed in that spot, without bothering you, it'd be just a minor nuisance and you'd forfeit your "poor mans business class bed". However, the way she behaved should land her in the penalty box at the back of the plane.
Something similar happened to me on my UA SCL-IAH flight. 2-3-2 config in y+, I had a window seat and seat next to me was empty when taking off. After dinner, I feel asleep (redeye flight) (with the seat next to me still empty). Low and behold 2 hours later, I wake up and THERE IS ACTUALLY SOMEONE SITTING/SLEEPING NEXT TO ME.
I was too drowsy and dumbfounded to do anything (and eventually fell back asleep), plus I couldn't find the "ring FA button" (apparently they're on the screen, not next to the overhead nozzles), but next time I sure as hell will voice my displeasure, plus boot the pax out of the supposedly empty seat.
Something similar happened to me on my UA SCL-IAH flight. 2-3-2 config in y+, I had a window seat and seat next to me was empty when taking off. After dinner, I feel asleep (redeye flight) (with the seat next to me still empty). Low and behold 2 hours later, I wake up and THERE IS ACTUALLY SOMEONE SITTING/SLEEPING NEXT TO ME.
I was too drowsy and dumbfounded to do anything (and eventually fell back asleep), plus I couldn't find the "ring FA button" (apparently they're on the screen, not next to the overhead nozzles), but next time I sure as hell will voice my displeasure, plus boot the pax out of the supposedly empty seat.
Basically this person wanted her child to have an empty seat next to them than for you to.
Sep 15, 2019, 11:20 am
#32
Join Date: May 2010
Location: AVP & PEK
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Haven't done this in a while (due to not flying E or the planes being too full), but if in a window bank with two empty seats, I'd move to the MIDDLE.
That seemed to deter potential seat poachers.....although, technically this maneuver made me one of course!
Sep 15, 2019, 11:35 am
#33
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: ATL
Programs: Delta PlM, 1M
Posts: 6,363
So YOU switch and spread to occupy two seats to prevent somebody switching from a middle to a seat not even next to you.
See anything wrong here?
Sep 15, 2019, 11:41 am
#34
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: YYC
Programs: AC SE
Posts: 2,342
I'm glad that the FA's handled it well and addressed the seat poaching.
Unfortunately the one time I tried to get UA FA's to address an E+ seat poacher, it didn't go well. I was in E+ aisle seat, and at the end of boarding, a guy moves from an E- middle seat to take the E+ middle seat next to me where the seatmap shows it should be free.
I discreetly mentioned it to the FA's in the galley, and they both looked at each other and said "do you want to deal with it?". Neither wanted to deal with it, so they called the purser. He came by when I was back at the seat and asked me "are you the person who complained about someone switching seats?" with the seat poacher sat right next to me. It was a 737-700 where there are a couple rows of E+ behind the exit. The purser then said that because it was behind the exit row (even though it was E+), it was fine, and basically made it out that I was in the wrong. I didn't want to get in a fight with a Purser who was making up his own rules, so I just let it go, but it made for an awkward flight sitting next to the seat poacher after the purser called me out for complaining about it.
Unfortunately the one time I tried to get UA FA's to address an E+ seat poacher, it didn't go well. I was in E+ aisle seat, and at the end of boarding, a guy moves from an E- middle seat to take the E+ middle seat next to me where the seatmap shows it should be free.
I discreetly mentioned it to the FA's in the galley, and they both looked at each other and said "do you want to deal with it?". Neither wanted to deal with it, so they called the purser. He came by when I was back at the seat and asked me "are you the person who complained about someone switching seats?" with the seat poacher sat right next to me. It was a 737-700 where there are a couple rows of E+ behind the exit. The purser then said that because it was behind the exit row (even though it was E+), it was fine, and basically made it out that I was in the wrong. I didn't want to get in a fight with a Purser who was making up his own rules, so I just let it go, but it made for an awkward flight sitting next to the seat poacher after the purser called me out for complaining about it.
Sep 15, 2019, 2:27 pm
#35
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Use your words counsellor?
"Excuse me, I saw the flight attendant just escort you to your seat. Shall I call her again, or will you go back on your own?"
Something like that would have certainly fit the situation.
My petite, super tiny, 5'0" 78 lb blonde lawyer wife has no problem running a her team of 500 plus corporate lawyers in a international bank.
She has zero compunction about putting anyone, included my ugly self, in their place.
Size isn't a disability.
"Excuse me, I saw the flight attendant just escort you to your seat. Shall I call her again, or will you go back on your own?"
Something like that would have certainly fit the situation.
My petite, super tiny, 5'0" 78 lb blonde lawyer wife has no problem running a her team of 500 plus corporate lawyers in a international bank.
She has zero compunction about putting anyone, included my ugly self, in their place.
Size isn't a disability.
Sep 15, 2019, 3:49 pm
#36
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, AA, DL
Posts: 7,418
It is not poaching for a pax to switch to an empty seat in the same cabin. In the rare cases I am on a flight with plenty of open seats, the crew might even announce pax are free to switch after boarding is complete.
So YOU switch and spread to occupy two seats to prevent somebody switching from a middle to a seat not even next to you.
See anything wrong here?
So YOU switch and spread to occupy two seats to prevent somebody switching from a middle to a seat not even next to you.
See anything wrong here?
Sep 24, 2019, 2:30 pm
#37
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I've noticed United FAs are very good about this. I typically sit in 21A and especially when I was Silver but still at Platinum this row is the last to fill up with people. I've noticed people trying to move from rows 22-24 to 21 and being sent back immediately by the FA. I certainly appreciate them taking it seriously.
Sep 24, 2019, 4:39 pm
#38
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This thread raises a lot of questions (especially in light of Lexus-gate). Is moving from a middle to a window poaching? What about a window to a middle? What about within one's row? Or section? What if the seats have no extra legroom but are closer to the front? I don't have any answers but clearly the distinction is not as clear as coach vs. first.
But realistically - I would say in term of enforcement, it is better to be lenient to those who pay or are entitled (i.e. status holders). At the minimum, in comparison, it is still better than having someone who can enjoy the seat without paying, claiming how loyal they are, but ultimately barely a cobranded credit card holder.
Sep 24, 2019, 6:19 pm
#39
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Based on the POV of $$$, yes, because due to dynamic pricing, UA charges differently for each of the E+ seat.
But realistically - I would say in term of enforcement, it is better to be lenient to those who pay or are entitled (i.e. status holders). At the minimum, in comparison, it is still better than having someone who can enjoy the seat without paying, claiming how loyal they are, but ultimately barely a cobranded credit card holder.
But realistically - I would say in term of enforcement, it is better to be lenient to those who pay or are entitled (i.e. status holders). At the minimum, in comparison, it is still better than having someone who can enjoy the seat without paying, claiming how loyal they are, but ultimately barely a cobranded credit card holder.
Sep 24, 2019, 10:28 pm
#40
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Sep 24, 2019, 10:52 pm
#41
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: YEG
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 755
I will always move to the middle seat if my E+ row is empty, and keep some items on the seats beside me in case someone approaches. I would have totally reported the female in the OP if she poached a seat and had het feet on my carryon....
Sep 24, 2019, 11:54 pm
#42
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. This is the bed for the long-hauls, for the short hauls it is up to you.
Sep 25, 2019, 7:34 am
#44
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It is rare, but one time I either did SDC or cleared standby and only a E- middle was available. After the door closed, I guess there were no-shows and several E+ seats open so I just moved up figuring I would have been able to select E+ for free. I would think this should be OK.
I even requested a free item from the food cart and didnt have to show my BP.
I even requested a free item from the food cart and didnt have to show my BP.
Aug 13, 2021, 10:37 am
#45
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Washington, DC
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Posts: 7,418
Odd one last night . . .
Checked in passenger next to me (row 11, E+) must have no-showed (didn't swipe BP). GA came on plane to check the seat and asked person sitting there if she was Judy Nelson (or whoever pax was) - she said "no, I'm not" GA - "where's your seat?" Pax "37B". GA "okay, thanks". No effort to remove the poacher, who seems to have self-upgraded with her friend both of whom were likely BE and assigned seats at checkin.
The two kickers:
1) The poacher managed to move to the one seat in E+ that happened not to be filled - no idea what would have happened if Judy Nelson boarded (I assume a walk of shame). What are the chances?!
2) The pax (or maybe her friend) expressed outrage that some other passenger had put his suit bag in the overhead rack in the row, even though he was seated much further back "Like, who does that and puts their bag in the OHB for a different row?" I hadn't realized the irony at the time because they hadn't started to verify the manifest yet.
Checked in passenger next to me (row 11, E+) must have no-showed (didn't swipe BP). GA came on plane to check the seat and asked person sitting there if she was Judy Nelson (or whoever pax was) - she said "no, I'm not" GA - "where's your seat?" Pax "37B". GA "okay, thanks". No effort to remove the poacher, who seems to have self-upgraded with her friend both of whom were likely BE and assigned seats at checkin.
The two kickers:
1) The poacher managed to move to the one seat in E+ that happened not to be filled - no idea what would have happened if Judy Nelson boarded (I assume a walk of shame). What are the chances?!
2) The pax (or maybe her friend) expressed outrage that some other passenger had put his suit bag in the overhead rack in the row, even though he was seated much further back "Like, who does that and puts their bag in the OHB for a different row?" I hadn't realized the irony at the time because they hadn't started to verify the manifest yet.