Southwest, don't ask "Is this seat taken?"

[ArmchairDetective]

Sitting toward the back of the plane still doesn't excuse infringing on other passengers' space because they choose the seat adjacent to you - especially on Southwest, which enforces the policy that each passenger is entitled to their complete seat.

Sorry, I'll try to keep to myself, but I'm just broad shouldered. If I inadvertently hit you a couple of times I hope you don't mind. After all, you chose to sit next me after i advised you that my wife would sit next to me and not complain. Maybe contact the FA and see if she can move you to another seat. My wife might volunteer to switch with you.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Sorry, I'll try to keep to myself, but I'm just broad shouldered. If I inadvertently hit you a couple of times I hope you don't mind. After all, you chose to sit next me after i advised you that my wife would sit next to me and not complain. Maybe contact the FA and see if she can move you to another seat. My wife might volunteer to switch with you.

Your shoulder isn't the elbow you originally threatened to use.
I'm short. Assault my head once with your shoulder, it could be considered an accident. Repeatedly? Perhaps familiarize yourself with what happens when passengers create a situation. Nothing prevents you from moving to a pair of open seats.

 

[ArmchairDetective]

Nothing prevents you from moving to a pair of open seats.

What prevents you from moving there or originally sitting there? Why do you like the back row so much? Do you just want to sit next to me because I smell good or because you think I'll share my snacks? Hungry?

 

[ArmchairDetective]

Your shoulder isn't the elbow you originally threatened to use.

I'm broad shouldered; therefore, my elbows take up more room when I sit. Do you need me to draw a picture for you? I'm really bad at drawing, FYI.

 

[piccolopat]

I'm broad shouldered; therefore, my elbows take up more room when I sit. Do you need me to draw a picture for you? I'm really bad at drawing, FYI.

ArmchairDetective, it is usually standard practice (and the considerate thing to do) today that if a person can't fit into one seat without encroaching on the seat next to them, that they purchase a second seat for themselves. If your wife isn't buying early boarding, you should assume that you may have to sit next to a stranger and in that case buy yourself an extra seat for those broad shoulders of yours.

 

[nkereina]

Do you guys usually only fly Southwest?

We fly SW when the times are good, the fare is non-stop, or if the fare saves us a ton of money. We sometimes find that, when you add in the EBCI fee, they're about the same price as other carriers.

And, on other carriers you can choose your seat and not worry about all of the aforementioned.

Sometimes, though, SW fares are too good to pass up.

We don't fly Southwest exclusively. If there's another airline with a better price that is also nonstop and has a decent time, we'll go with that. However, our home airport is Buffalo which is relatively small. Most major airlines connect at their hubs when coming out of Buffalo, and don't have many nonstop routes. So if we want nonstop, we're mostly relegated to Southwest and Jetblue. We also get many Canadians from Southern Ontario who fly out of Buffalo, which adds to the popularity of Southwest. Because of this, I suspect this is why we see B's sometimes when using EBCI.

 

[MillauFr]

This thread is exhibit #1 why I will never fly Southwest.

 

[nkereina]

This thread is exhibit #1 why I will never fly Southwest.

LOL. People are at their high point of irrationality anyway when traveling due to the stress it induces. Add in open seating wars and it's all over!

 

[Disneylover99]

This thread is exhibit #1 why I will never fly Southwest.

Southwest is great. I mean it. We always fly SW out of Buffalo. Just have a drink before you board. You'll be fine.

 

[ArmchairDetective]

ArmchairDetective, it is usually standard practice (and the considerate thing to do) today that if a person can't fit into one seat without encroaching on the seat next to them, that they purchase a second seat for themselves. If your wife isn't buying early boarding, you should assume that you may have to sit next to a stranger and in that case buy yourself an extra seat for those broad shoulders of yours.

Thanks. I've never had anyone want to sit in the middle seat yet. I am usually traveling with daughter so at least one side is not "stranger danger."

I've not had to deal with that situation yet as we fly SW less and less.

If SW would just move to assigned seats this would not be an issue.

 

[nkereina]

If SW would just move to assigned seats this would not be an issue.

I'm curious why they don't have assigned seats, actually. I've never thought about it. Is it just to set them apart? Is it easier for them to manage? Do people board faster this way?

 

[ArmchairDetective]

I'm curious why they don't have assigned seats, actually. I've never thought about it. Is it just to set them apart? Is it easier for them to manage? Do people board faster this way?

Yes, supposedly it is for faster boarding. I also imagine they would sell less tickets if people "could not sit together" and all that was left were middle seats. Do you think so?

It's really annoying.

 

[kiddo76]

Thanks. I've never had anyone want to sit in the middle seat yet. I am usually traveling with daughter so at least one side is not "stranger danger."

LOL. This just made me want to sit in a middle seat the next time I fly out of spite.

 

[Disneylover99]

I actually love their boarding policy. I factor in the EBCI and we always get decent seats and never have to worry about not sitting together.

 

[ArmchairDetective]

I actually love their boarding policy. I factor in the EBCI and we always get decent seats and never have to worry about not sitting together.

When I book on other carriers I can *gasp* pre-select my seat and... what's this? *gasp* preselect my row. It's like Christmas!

 

[bride03]

.

 

[Disneylover99]

When I book on other carriers I can *gasp* pre-select my seat and... what's this? *gasp* preselect my row. It's like Christmas!

No. That's not Christmas. Christmas is being surprised by the gift you get (or seat). With SW it's always a surprise.

 

[ArmchairDetective]

With SW it's always a surprise.

The understatement of the thread! Bravo! You have a very positive way of looking at it. I applaud that.

I am taking my anti-EBCI wife to the FL Keys in April before she has a baby in June. We are not flying SW and we already have seats assigned. 2A and 2B there and back.

 

[kaytieeldr]

What prevents you from moving there or originally sitting there? Why do you like the back row so much? Do you just want to sit next to me because I smell good or because you think I'll share my snacks? Hungry?

Perhaps someone wants the unusual experience of flying seated next to an adult child not their own.
Any passenger makes flying vastly more tolerable by complying with airline expectations and federal regulations. If either involves sitting in the first unoccupied or any seat, so be it.

 

[Disneylover99]

I am taking my anti-EBCI wife to the FL Keys in April before she has a baby in June. We are not flying SW and we already have seats assigned. 2A and 2B there and back.

Well that's not very spontaneous is it? Try to have fun anyways!