MSPeconomist

gold23

Oh man....that's a tough one. I'd call FA over, tell him/her that I really want to help out this family and let them sit together. Is there ANYTHING they can do to help me find a window/aisle throughout the plane? There may not be, but I'd ask. Most will at least recognize you are trying to be magnanimous. If all else fails....I'd probably pick the best middle seat they have (small people on the side, etc) and bite it. My 7 hours of relative discomfort would be better than the guilt I'd feel of not allowing a small family to sit together.

joe_miami

That’s not a “tough one” at all. Trading an aisle for a middle on a 7-hour flight is nuts.

gold23

Completely understand not wanting to do so- none of us would. To me, depends on how old the kids were. If we're talking under 10, I'd almost certainly do so- but not before exhausting my options with FA. I realize I'm in the minority here, and maybe its because it wasn't long ago I was in situations where I relied on the compassion of others on board planes.

Proudelitist

Personally, I wouldn't have swapped anyhow, even if they hadn't had the gall to ask me to take a middle on a Trans Atlantic flight. However, if I suspected they were non-revs, I would not only have refused, I would have asked to see their BP's as if I was considering the switch, memorized the names, and reported them to the airline. Non-revs are forbidden from asking rev pax to move. They will lose their non-rev perk. And rightly so.

I think the reason the gate agent didn't fix it was because they were non-revs. The GA, if doing their job, shouldn't displace a rev pax for a non-rev.

joe_miami

Agreed. Absurd for non-revs to displace paying customers.

This was an even worse request if they were middles paired in the same row.

StuckinITH

I would not feel any guilt.

Totally agree.

Did you check the waitlist to see if there was a family of 4 that was waitlisted and then got assigned those seats at the last minute? I never used to do that but now I do check that list to try to recognize non-revs (it's easier when they are waitlisted for all the classes).

It's good that you are reminding us of that rule.

threeoh

A family of four boarding last minute into middle seats is not necessarily NRSA anyhow, absent further evidence -- could be revenue standby after missing a connection, could be revenue non-standby after missing a connection and being told to run to Gate X because it's already boarding, could be revenue originating PAX who didn't pick seats, don't know how to check in online, and were late to the airport, could be a family of four making an emergency trip so bought walk-up tickets and only middles available...

Even if they are non-rev, it's kind of an unsustainable situation that (a) non-revs often clear into middles, (b) non-revs include small children, and (c) non-revs are forbidden from asking for swaps. If I was seated between a non-rev child and parent, I would prefer to be given the option of swapping vs. having an unsupervised small child next to me. I might opt not to move, but seems like it should be my (the paying customer's) choice of which is less inconvenient.

Now you can argue that (a), (b), or (c) should change, but those are the rules as currently written and that's what leads to these frustrating situations.

MikeFromTokyo

It does not happen to me much? but I will consider a switch only if I get an equal or better seat out of the deal. Otherwise, I have no qualms about saying no and enjoying the seat I paid for and selected.

staren937

gold23

I can say with some confidence that the replies in this thread are not truly indicative of the experiences onboard. While many do huff and puff a bit when asked to change, in the instances where a displaced family is involved I'd say people move for them 80%+ of the time.

I find it somewhat humorous that some in this thread assume that all passengers are equally as skilled in seat selection (or can afford as such in today's world). Interestingly, they also completely dismiss the possibilities of irrops, missed connections, etc., from impacting said passengers.

I'm more offended by entitled "elites" who claim they would report a young family for frantically attempting to sit together on a long flight. How dare they? laugh out loud

dilanesp

Again, what is this "family sitting together" thing? If you are 4 or more, the family basically never sits together (except in 777 or 747 Y if they are really lucky). 3 requires a full row which is quite rare. On RJ's, only 2 can sit together.

It has nothing to do with knowing the system or being an elite. If a family of more than 2 flies, chances are they don't get to sit together unless they book REALLY early.

None of us created that situation. It is dictated by plane configuration.

So people who insist they must be with the other members of their family for a few hours are, in fact, the ones with unreasonable expectations.

halls120

This. x1000

joe_miami

gold23

This is not my point. I am specifically talking about YOUNG families, where the children are separated from their parents. I don't care if families of four are not ALL together. I do care if a child under 10 is not sitting next to his or her parent. If dad and daughter are together and mom isn't seated next to them...the only time I'm moving is if it's a better or equal seat. But if none of them are together? Many of us will switch to allow for at least one parent to be with a young child.