ivoryboi

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!

tfl

Well if your boarding pass says that's your seat, just as the flight attendant to get the person moved. Surely, it's that simple?

cgruber

If they don't move when I approach them, I talk to the FA. They are usually very good at resolving these issues. After all, there is the part on the UAL survey about 'were the flight attendants able to resolve any problems?'

mahasamatman

I would never let something like this slide. The poacher is the one who should be embarrassed, not you.

whakojacko

Agree, especially when were talking about the precious 744 row 15

bhmlurker

Remember that you can't control other people's behavior; you can only control your own response to their behavior.

Do not be embarrassed. You've done nothing wrong, and if anything the poachers should be embarrassed. Don't be so nice, and say 'Yes I do mind my seat being poached, now move along' with confidence!

rkaradi

I agree, it's your seat either be aggressive or have the FA move the person. That is a very coveted seat, and if you have the BP, it's yours.

gre

Last time I found someone in my exit row aisle seat I said loud enough for the people in the near vicinity to hear, "nice try!"

It was the Bozo in my seat that was embarrassed not me.

roadkit

First thing: you should NEVER "let it go."

Second: you should NEVER feel embarrassed for insisting to sit in the seat you have a boarding pass for.

All you need to do is pull out your boarding pass (showing the seat assignment) and say: "I'm sorry, you are in my seat. Please move to your assigned seat."

if they give you some excuse, just say: "I'm sorry to hear about that. Once you get to your assigned seat, you can ask the flight attendant fi they can accommodate your special needs."

If they don't move, then you just raise your voice and say: "Please get out of my seat! What is WRONG WITH YOU?!"

goalie

and as a last resort, you could always ask one of the fams in 15b/g to move the pax

flydrha

I agree - I often experienced this on SFO-JFK 757 PS exit row 9 seats. Next time, talk real loud so the entire cabin recognizes the seat poacher. It should prevent them from trying again next time!

lucky9876coins

Flying in row 15 twice in the next 24 hours, so I think I'll board last both times just for fun and to see what happens. I would definitely tell them to move, especially if they try to play these games of lies, as seems to be the case.

mahasamatman

Since UA does occasionally double-book seats, it's still a good idea to ask to see their BP before making accusations...

sobore

The embarrassment of getting caught is not enough.
I will lobby UA to have the words 'Stool Scrounger' tattooed on their forehead.

PHLGovFlyer

Agreed. I always give the poachers a chance at a graceful way out by simply asking "do you have 15A?" or whatever seat of mine they're trying to poach. I ask this as I'm producing my boarding pass and showing it to them. Occasionally I'll get the "I need this seat because..." excuse at which point I simply say "I see, but I reserved this seat specifically because ...(fill in appropriate counter-excuse here such as 'I'm tall' or 'I need to be close to...')" Works every time and in the end NOBODY poaches my seat!