Squeezed out on a US flight! What about passenger sizing? (merged threads)
Aug 12, 2010, 2:21 pm
#46
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: MSP
Programs: DL-PM, Small Luxury Hotels & Proud Member of TSA Disparager-Gold
Posts: 774
Here's the problem I see when one books two seats together - GA and FA often walk through the cabin looking/counting open seats for standby pax, then they give them away.
Had this exact experience, purchased two seats next to each other and when husband missed his connection they gave away his seat. I protested but it didn't matter...so frankly I don't see how a POS is going to be guaranteed two seats.
Had this exact experience, purchased two seats next to each other and when husband missed his connection they gave away his seat. I protested but it didn't matter...so frankly I don't see how a POS is going to be guaranteed two seats.
Aug 12, 2010, 3:04 pm
#47
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: US-CP, UA, Marriott Rewards, HHonors, Avis,
Posts: 4,549
A missed connection is different because your boarding pass isn't scanned in; when you book an extra seat, it gets a boarding pass and gets scanned in along with yours. Not saying you won't have to defend the territory from a GA wanting to fill it, but it's not the same scenario as a no-show.
Which brings up the question of VDB for an extra seat. If i book an extra seat (COS, musical instrument, whatever) and the flight is oversold, can I get VDB compensation by letting them put another Pax in my seat? If so, I might have to book an extra seat every time I got dca-phx(when it's not a $500 flight, that is).
Which brings up the question of VDB for an extra seat. If i book an extra seat (COS, musical instrument, whatever) and the flight is oversold, can I get VDB compensation by letting them put another Pax in my seat? If so, I might have to book an extra seat every time I got dca-phx(when it's not a $500 flight, that is).
Aug 12, 2010, 6:23 pm
#48
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: ORD, MDW or MKE
Programs: American and Southwest. Hilton and Marriott hotels primarily.
Posts: 6,459
However, if you are not a COS, you may not buy a second seat.
No system is perfect. Any system can be defeated by those that try. I think that WN has the best system for COS.
Aug 12, 2010, 7:22 pm
#49
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: SEA
Programs: AS MVP, Hhonors Gold, National Executive, Identity Gold, MLife Gold
Posts: 2,687
Interesting thing to wonder, if, say, someone booked a seat for a large instrument/etc, and the plane had open seats if they would refund. I'm not sure they would, but I see your point and do agree. I think it may be different with the open seating policy on WN than with assigned seating, since one could argue the remaining passengers 'chose' to move elsewhere.
To answer the questions, no refunds for the person booking a seat for an instrument, and they expect you to fight to keep the extra seat (and suggest you print out some paper thingy to prove that it's yours).
Privacy is key here.Some airlines allow any customer to buy a second seat even if they are not a COS.
Aug 12, 2010, 7:35 pm
#50
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: ORD, MDW or MKE
Programs: American and Southwest. Hilton and Marriott hotels primarily.
Posts: 6,459
http://www.southwest.com/travel_center/cos_qa.html
To answer the questions, no refunds for the person booking a seat for an instrument, and they expect you to fight to keep the extra seat (and suggest you print out some paper thingy to prove that it's yours).
To answer the questions, no refunds for the person booking a seat for an instrument, and they expect you to fight to keep the extra seat (and suggest you print out some paper thingy to prove that it's yours).
Aug 12, 2010, 10:29 pm
#51
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: SEA
Programs: AS MVP, Hhonors Gold, National Executive, Identity Gold, MLife Gold
Posts: 2,687
The seat HAS been sold. The fight is most likely going to be with the FA, who may not know that the person paid for 2 seats.
Aug 12, 2010, 10:37 pm
#52
Moderator: American AAdvantage & Marriott Bonvoy
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: PHX
Programs: American ExPlat; Marriott/SPG Lifetime Plat; Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 8,116
When transcon seats were incredibly cheap for a while, I contemplated doing so, just to be comfortable on flights that I expected not to be upgraded. I was told it's no problem. The phone agent said to just to bring it to the attention of the gate agent (of course you're also providing an additional BP at the door), then the FA on board, and if it becomes an issue once you're seated, just remind them that it's a seat you've purchased.
Aug 12, 2010, 11:32 pm
#53
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: SEA
Programs: AS MVP, Hhonors Gold, National Executive, Identity Gold, MLife Gold
Posts: 2,687
You've raised another concern here. If I'm a member of a FF program that's offered upgrades, I would assume that having 2 seats associated with my reservation would impact my ability to get an upgrade to F.
Aug 13, 2010, 12:06 am
#54
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Fresno
Posts: 195
While a few people on this thread have mentioned shoulder width, I find it amusing that the "COS issue" is always about hip/waist size, and rarely if ever about upper body size. Is it more socially acceptable? Is it easier to say it's not their fault, it's genetics? They're still taking up your space.
Cali
Cali
Aug 13, 2010, 2:06 am
#55
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: ORD, MDW or MKE
Programs: American and Southwest. Hilton and Marriott hotels primarily.
Posts: 6,459
The seat has not been sold to another person and the FA will know because the person has pre-boarded not that it matters whether the FA knows.
Aug 13, 2010, 8:35 am
#56
Moderator: American AAdvantage & Marriott Bonvoy
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: PHX
Programs: American ExPlat; Marriott/SPG Lifetime Plat; Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 8,116
If it's a full flight with standbys waiting at the gate, it matters, because it's the FAs who do the open seat count. If they're in the loop, and remember when they do that count, they'll account for that purchased 'open' seat and won't tell the gate agent to send down another passenger.
Aug 13, 2010, 12:30 pm
#57
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Chicago
Posts: 267
1. It is your right to demand the arm rest down. Start there
2. If she still rolls over, your only recourse is to call the FA. If the passenger fits within the seat with the arm rest down, you are probably out of luck - except for keeping their feet on their side. Often you can get a free upgrade in your situation
2. If she still rolls over, your only recourse is to call the FA. If the passenger fits within the seat with the arm rest down, you are probably out of luck - except for keeping their feet on their side. Often you can get a free upgrade in your situation
Aug 13, 2010, 2:07 pm
#58
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: PHL
Programs: Former long-time US GP; now AA dirt
Posts: 4,904
While a few people on this thread have mentioned shoulder width, I find it amusing that the "COS issue" is always about hip/waist size, and rarely if ever about upper body size. Is it more socially acceptable? Is it easier to say it's not their fault, it's genetics? They're still taking up your space.
BTW, I HATE the term "COS". It's such a stupid euphemism because we all have size. Or do I weight zero because I am not taking more than one seat?
Or, imagine going into a clothing store and being asked by the salesperson, "What size are you?" Perhaps I should just answer, "Of size."
The better term would be "XLC", or "extra-large customer". That would cover obese, broad, and/or muscular people.
Aug 13, 2010, 8:05 pm
#59
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Chicago
Posts: 267
What about kids
The problem expands. If a larger person is able to buy two seats at a reduced rate - then what about traveling with an infant. They can ride free as a lap child but that is unsafe. Many kids are hurt every year as thrown objects when planes hit turbulence. So they should also be able to buy a reduced seat for child seat. (most airlines used to hold seat for free of yup asked and they were not full. I traveled such with mine 15 years ago)
Now we have reduced seats for infants, for the viola and for the large person. Where does it stop and how much money does airline loose.
I think they should go back to old days where you could get extra seat for free IF they were not full
Now we have reduced seats for infants, for the viola and for the large person. Where does it stop and how much money does airline loose.
I think they should go back to old days where you could get extra seat for free IF they were not full
Last edited by jrhmdtraum; Aug 14, 2010 at 7:52 am
Aug 13, 2010, 9:39 pm
#60
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Nashua, NH USA
Programs: Seashore Trolley Museum "flight attendant"
Posts: 1,991
Instead of using a sizing box or a sizing seat, let the person next to you decide whether you are taking too much space.
If you think that is not fair, then you should agree/admit that the sizing box is fair.
>>> your recourse is to call the FA
If that doesn't succeed, have the captain in on the discussion.
If that doesn't succeed, have the ground complaint resolution officer in on the discussion.
Asking for volunteers to be bumped is an excellent solution to many of these problems.
If you bought two seats, raise the armrest and sit straddling both. Then no one else, standing by or otherwise, will be able to take one of them.
If you think that is not fair, then you should agree/admit that the sizing box is fair.
>>> your recourse is to call the FA
If that doesn't succeed, have the captain in on the discussion.
If that doesn't succeed, have the ground complaint resolution officer in on the discussion.
Asking for volunteers to be bumped is an excellent solution to many of these problems.
If you bought two seats, raise the armrest and sit straddling both. Then no one else, standing by or otherwise, will be able to take one of them.