Seat Poachers Exit row 15 on 747
Jan 26, 2008, 12:35 pm
#31
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: NYC
Programs: UA 1K, Mariott, Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 304
[QUOTE=asya999;9139089]Oh, I interpreted as "use their own excuse back".
"I need this seat because I need to go to the bathroom frequently" answer "Oh, I especially booked this seat because *I* need to go to the bathroom frequently".
I usually say well you should have booked the seat right next to the bathroom in the back. That way no one would get in your way if you needed to go.
"I need this seat because I need to go to the bathroom frequently" answer "Oh, I especially booked this seat because *I* need to go to the bathroom frequently".
I usually say well you should have booked the seat right next to the bathroom in the back. That way no one would get in your way if you needed to go.
Jan 26, 2008, 1:07 pm
#32
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 10,037
I just usually say "Excuse me, I think that's my seat." If it's someone who I think is poaching, I'll just stick to the last three words.
It's been a long time since I've run into a poacher. It seems like I run into someone who unintentionally is in my seat maybe once or twice a year.
It's been a long time since I've run into a poacher. It seems like I run into someone who unintentionally is in my seat maybe once or twice a year.
Jan 26, 2008, 3:11 pm
#33
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Frankfurt, Germany/Washington DC
Programs: HH Silver, Eurostar CarteBlanche
Posts: 244
Please save your time and rising annoyance and get a crew member if you find someone in your seat during boarding. Sometimes there *are* seat dupes ( for duplicates), sometimes that is a computer glitch and sometimes it is because the original seat holder was upgraded. The crew has no emotional investment in whose seat it is, if this happens I go to the seat occupuier and explain there seems to be a seat dupe, may I see their boarding card. if it is not their seat, I direct them to their correct one or to the gate agent if they wish another. Problem solved. Dont give yourself unnecessary agita!
Jan 26, 2008, 3:11 pm
#34
Join Date: May 2006
Programs: Hertz PC, QF Plat, Velocity Gold, HHonors Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 2,803
Jan 26, 2008, 3:34 pm
#35
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: SFO
Programs: UA MP-1K/GS
Posts: 48
Although this happened to my hubby and not me, I liked his way of dealing with an attempted poacher...
He boarded a flight and was heading for his assigned window seat. As he was about to get into his seat, a woman with a young boy asked if my hubby would switch his window seat for the middle seat next to hers. Hubby politely stated that he would prefer to keep his wondow seat. At that point she proceeded to loudly say to her son "Come on Billy, this mean man won't switch seats with you".
What she did not realise is that my hubby noticed her entire party board. She was not just traveling with her son, but her spouse as well. He had settled into his (window) seat and proceeded to tune her out as she was managing the details with her son. He also ignored his son's requests to sit by the window.
At that point my husband replied to her loudly as well "I would be happy to give up my window seat as soon as your husband gives up his".
She did not attemt asking anyone else....
He boarded a flight and was heading for his assigned window seat. As he was about to get into his seat, a woman with a young boy asked if my hubby would switch his window seat for the middle seat next to hers. Hubby politely stated that he would prefer to keep his wondow seat. At that point she proceeded to loudly say to her son "Come on Billy, this mean man won't switch seats with you".
What she did not realise is that my hubby noticed her entire party board. She was not just traveling with her son, but her spouse as well. He had settled into his (window) seat and proceeded to tune her out as she was managing the details with her son. He also ignored his son's requests to sit by the window.
At that point my husband replied to her loudly as well "I would be happy to give up my window seat as soon as your husband gives up his".
She did not attemt asking anyone else....
Jan 26, 2008, 3:45 pm
#36
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: SNA
Programs: Sixt Platinum, Avis Preferred Plus, Hertz President's Circle, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 3,557
Try reeking of alcohol and holding a barf bag.. "I get a bit nervous on flights."
But the prep time is a good hour or two in the airport bar.
But the prep time is a good hour or two in the airport bar.
Jan 26, 2008, 3:59 pm
#37
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: TPA & MCO
Programs: DL Diamond, AA EXP & UA Gold
Posts: 3,046
I had a row 15 issue once. Saw some dewd sitting in "my seat". I was ready to pitch a fit, but bit my tongue and I asked nicely to see his boarding pass. Indeed, it was a dupe. FA took both BPs downstairs to sort it out, and I ended up with 5A!
Jan 26, 2008, 4:06 pm
#38
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: TPA & MCO
Programs: DL Diamond, AA EXP & UA Gold
Posts: 3,046
Jan 26, 2008, 4:07 pm
#39
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Newport Beach, California, USA
Posts: 36,062
Please save your time and rising annoyance and get a crew member if you find someone in your seat during boarding. Sometimes there *are* seat dupes ( for duplicates), sometimes that is a computer glitch and sometimes it is because the original seat holder was upgraded. The crew has no emotional investment in whose seat it is, if this happens I go to the seat occupuier and explain there seems to be a seat dupe, may I see their boarding card. if it is not their seat, I direct them to their correct one or to the gate agent if they wish another. Problem solved. Dont give yourself unnecessary agita!
Question: in a poaching (not dupe) situation, have you ever told the pax holding the boarding pass to the seat to take a different one (other than an op up to B or F, that is)? I've had this happen to me on two occasions and I think it is inappropriate.
Jan 26, 2008, 4:13 pm
#40
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 4
Seat Poachers Exit Row 15 on 747
I would kick their ... out of your GREAT Business Class Seat, (or at least let the flight attendent do it for you). Do not put up with this! If you have a ticket with this seat booked, why should you have to move?
Jan 26, 2008, 4:50 pm
#41
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Southern California
Programs: UA 1KMMGS, EK Skywards Silver, SPG Gold,
Posts: 920
Hi,
I am getting fed up! Three out of my last four flights I have boarded the 747 on an intra-Asia route, only to find someone has happily settled into my row 15 UD seat before I got there. I generally board later on to spend more time in the lounge and miss the gate rush.
I have had:
...'my travel agent always books this seat for me - she must have screw up, do you mind if I stay here?'
...'I need to get out to go to restroom frequently so I am taking this seat if you don't mind'
(after waking them up)...'oh sorry'.. when I requested to see their boarding pass to make sure we were not double booked.
What do you guys do? Twice I let it go, but once I just stood there and insisted they move to their assigned seat. This is embarrassing for me in front of a quiet full cabin already, but I felt the need to do it. Why can't people just accept there is no 'entitlement' to that row. It's first in gets it!!!! Nobody ever poaches my downstairs middle seat!
I am getting fed up! Three out of my last four flights I have boarded the 747 on an intra-Asia route, only to find someone has happily settled into my row 15 UD seat before I got there. I generally board later on to spend more time in the lounge and miss the gate rush.
I have had:
...'my travel agent always books this seat for me - she must have screw up, do you mind if I stay here?'
...'I need to get out to go to restroom frequently so I am taking this seat if you don't mind'
(after waking them up)...'oh sorry'.. when I requested to see their boarding pass to make sure we were not double booked.
What do you guys do? Twice I let it go, but once I just stood there and insisted they move to their assigned seat. This is embarrassing for me in front of a quiet full cabin already, but I felt the need to do it. Why can't people just accept there is no 'entitlement' to that row. It's first in gets it!!!! Nobody ever poaches my downstairs middle seat!
Jan 26, 2008, 5:01 pm
#42
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Jan 26, 2008, 5:27 pm
#43
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: TPA & MCO
Programs: DL Diamond, AA EXP & UA Gold
Posts: 3,046
I wonder how many takers there would be.
Jan 26, 2008, 5:37 pm
#44
Join Date: Oct 2003
Programs: MP, 1K 1MM
Posts: 1,255
Only once
in 25+ years flying UA (I just got my greenbar printout from MP, all 40+ pages of all my MP flights) have I experienced a "poacher." It was in the back of a 74, LHR-LAX. The occupant of my assigned aisle seat was packing a cane and had his left leg half in/out of the aisle. I presented my BP but he said, "I need this seat for my leg." An FA intervened and asked if I were willing to be re-seated. I made a joke of it by turning my back and waving my hand, palm-side up, in the classic "feed me cash" gesture, saying loudly, "Oh, I'm sure there must be SOME way I could be reseated. Think large denomination bils in Swiss currency..." Everybody started laughing as she took my hand and lead me to a (ghastly) inner seat in the 5-across section. I did get a little complimentary alcohol, and a story to tell. But no Swiss currency. 
Jan 26, 2008, 6:48 pm
#45
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Berkeley, CA USA
Programs: Kam Leng; Two Dragons GH
Posts: 1,615
I'm a little surprised by this thread. For intra Asia flights, which are often pretty early, I'd assume first it was an honest, sleepy mistake than a poach. And the remedy is pretty simple--just compare boarding passes.
In at least one case I thought someone was in my nice row 15 seat, but, because I was sleepy or just plain out-of-it, I was the one who had made the mistake. There's plenty of opportunity to get aggressive about this stuff when you're contending with the masses for just about anything else.
In at least one case I thought someone was in my nice row 15 seat, but, because I was sleepy or just plain out-of-it, I was the one who had made the mistake. There's plenty of opportunity to get aggressive about this stuff when you're contending with the masses for just about anything else.