airline seat assignments

[bicker]

Actually, I did pay a little more than I would have if I booked straight with Disney and the airline. I priced it myself online but decided it was worth it to go with the TA.

Then you've got a legit beef with the TA for sure... "What did [you] pay extra for?"

 

[abk96]

Well it's easy for you to say "End of story" it's not your kids and you're not me.

I'm a nervous wreck when I have to fly and this is only adding to it and reading your comments isn't helping either.

 

[abk96]

Then you've got a legit beef with the TA for sure... "What did [you] pay extra for?"

I guess it's the TA's fee for their services. Never asked.

 

[bicker]

I'm not sure I'd word it as Anne did, "End of story", but I hope that you're at least better off being concerned about it beforehand, and preparing yourself and your family for the worst-case, rather than facing the prospect of actually being surprised about it if you're faced with it, at the airport on the day of your flight.

Best of luck!

 

[ducklite]

Then you've got a legit beef with the TA for sure... "What did [you] pay extra for?"

I cannot remember -- Aren't TA's agents of the airline?

I'm really cloudy on this these days, but if I recall, agency is established based on who is paying the commission. So back when the airlines were paying a ticketing commission, they would ahve been acting as the agent of the carrier. Now that airline tickets are no longer commissionable, the agency relationship would be between the agent and the consumer.

My guess is that this is why the OP was able to speak directly with the airline, the agent doesn't "own" the booking.

Anne

 

[ducklite]

Well it's easy for you to say "End of story" it's not your kids and you're not me.

I'm a nervous wreck when I have to fly and this is only adding to it and reading your comments isn't helping either.

How about if I say "that's the way it is."

Because realistically, that's the truth, and you need to be prepared for it. I'm not sure how much more I can explain the reality of the situation to you.

I'm not trying to be cruel, I'm a realist, and I don't believe in sugarcoating things--that only sets people up for disappointment.

Your TA let you down, but like I said, even if it gets fixed, and number of issues could make it "unfixed", and it's the chance you take when using public transportation. You, and your kids need to be prepared, and having a meltdown at the gate is not going to help any of you.

Anne

 

[abk96]

I'm really cloudy on this these days, but if I recall, agency is established based on who is paying the commission. So back when the airlines were paying a ticketing commission, they would ahve been acting as the agent of the carrier. Now that airline tickets are no longer commissionable, the agency relationship would be between the agent and the consumer.

My guess is that this is why the OP was able to speak directly with the airline, the agent doesn't "own" the booking.

Anne

Actually the first person I spoke to at the airline said I need to go through my TA. He finally realized I wasn't getting anywhere with them so he looked up my ressie for me. I think he could hear the upset in my voice.

 

[ducklite]

Then you've got a legit beef with the TA for sure... "What did [you] pay extra for?"

Most TA's are actually charged a ticketing fee by most carriers these days, and most TA's pass that cost to the consumer as a "ticketing fee." It is not a commission, just covers their cost of doing business. most TA's who will even book flights anymore do so under duress, and only in conjunction with other travel arrangements as a courtesy to consumers.

Anne

 

[jodifla]

How about if I say "that's the way it is."

Because realistically, that's the truth, and you need to be prepared for it. I'm not sure how much more I can explain the reality of the situation to you.

I'm not trying to be cruel, I'm a realist, and I don't believe in sugarcoating things--that only sets people up for disappointment.

Your TA let you down, but like I said, even if it gets fixed, and number of issues could make it "unfixed", and it's the chance you take when using public transportation. You, and your kids need to be prepared, and having a meltdown at the gate is not going to help any of you.

Anne

You also seem to want to paint the darkest picture possible. And rather gleefully, I might add.

OP is upset. She has every right to be. Anyone who doesn't move so a 4- year-old can sit with his or her parent is a jerk, end of story. Luckily, said jerk will have to entertain a 4-year-old for a 2 or 3 hour flight, so it's just desserts.

Things happen. Flights get combined. I say a small child's safety trumps the wants of a selfish, self-indulged frequent flier.

Luckily, I think since it is a flight full of people with kids, OP will probably find people more accommodating than some of the folks on this thread.

 

[jodifla]

I'm not sure if you all understand what happened in the first place. I'm not trying to be mean and bump people out of their seats. We had seats that were 5 in a row and now because of a TA who didn't keep up with our ressie we have lost them.

Not our fault and the manager is working on it for us. If anything the TAgency should foot the bill to switch us to a different flight. There are lots of them the day we leave so I'm sure something can be done.

I'm not going to let our children sit alone, end of discussion.

And we don't have cheap tickets either.

I agree that you should put heat on your TA! They should book you on a flight that has the seats together. It's ridiculous to have you have to be worried, and it's no way to start a vacation.

Good luck to you, and let us know what happens.

 

[ducklite]

You also seem to want to paint the darkest picture possible. And rather gleefully, I might add.

You are very mistaken. I think it's easier for people to understand what will likely happen and take whatever steps they need to make the best of an unfortunate situation.

OP is upset. She has every right to be. Anyone who doesn't move so a 4- year-old can sit with his or her parent is a jerk, end of story. Luckily, said jerk will have to entertain a 4-year-old for a 2 or 3 hour flight, so it's just desserts.

I agree she has the right to be upset--at her TA. Not at other passengers. Sorry, no one can or should be compelled to move their seat. What if everyone else on that plane is families? Do you really expect them to break up their seating to accomodate? I don't. The OP has a choice--to take another flight where they can be seated together.

And if I were in a situation where a child was seated next to me, I would not "babysit or entertain." The child is not my problem, and I'm not going to have some whack job parent turn around and accuse me of saying or doing something to their kid. And not always would the adult passenger "moving" resolve the situation. The last time I was seated next to a kid who's parents were in a different row, I was in aisle seat in an exit row--the kid was the one who needed to be moved... The one time I was in this situation with my DS, we simply took the next flight that we could get seats next to each other on. I took responsibility as a parent, rather than expenting everyone to be inconvenienced by my situation.

Things happen. Flights get combined. I say a small child's safety trumps the wants of a selfish, self-indulged frequent flier.

Yup, things happen, and parents need to make sure their children know how to roll with the punches rather than expect the world to revolve around them. On some flights when things are delayed the flight attendents heard everyone to their seats and they push back--no time to swap around.

Luckily, I think since it is a flight full of people with kids, OP will probably find people more accommodating than some of the folks on this thread.

You are contradicting yourself. "Flight full of people with kids" you think they want to split up from their kids either?

Anne

 

[DebbieB]

I agree that you should put heat on your TA! They should book you on a flight that has the seats together. It's ridiculous to have you have to be worried, and it's no way to start a vacation.

Good luck to you, and let us know what happens.

Didn't she say when the TA booked the flight they had 5 seats in one row? With the airlines constantly changing seats these days, I can't see how a TA could keep track of everyone they have booked, they would have to be constantly checking reservations for changes. People on this board have reported their seat assignments being changed weekly. Most flights to popular destinations are booked pretty solid a month or two before. I think the TA's are stuck in the middle. The airlines move flights & equipment around, mainly to keep their companies above water (or from going completely under), move people around by computer (I would not say they are intentionally being "monsters"). By the time the TA finds out, there are no open seats together on the plane to switch people to. Perhaps Southwest has the best plan with open seating.

Good Luck to you, I'm sure it will work out. Let us know what happens.

 

[jodifla]

And if I were in a situation where a child was seated next to me, I would not "babysit or entertain."

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's been awhile since you sat next to a 4 year old then.

 

[ducklite]

And if I were in a situation where a child was seated next to me, I would not "babysit or entertain."

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's been awhile since you sat next to a 4 year old then.

I would put my head phones on and read, it's very easy to ignore a kid. And if they bothered me by poking or touching I'd push the call button and have the FA deal with it. Four year olds should know better than to try to interact with a "stranger", particularly one who is not receptive to the interaction.

If not there's always duct tape.

Like I said, parents always have the choice of taking the next flight--it's wrong to inconvenience others because of your unfortunate situation.

Anne

 

[jodifla]

I would put my head phones on and read, it's very easy to ignore a kid. And if they bothered me by poking or touching I'd push the call button and have the FA deal with it. Four year olds should know better than to try to interact with a "stranger", particularly one who is not receptive to the interaction.

If not there's always duct tape.

Like I said, parents always have the choice of taking the next flight--it's wrong to inconvenience others because of your unfortunate situation.

Anne

Yes, your convenience is what it's all about. Forget the terrified 4 year old. And forget that there's often just two flights a day where we go...there's no waiting for the mythical next flight that has seats together.

Cause it's all about the frequent flier.

 

[Aisling]

Well it's easy for you to say "End of story" it's not your kids and you're not me.

I'm a nervous wreck when I have to fly and this is only adding to it and reading your comments isn't helping either.

abk96, just laugh at those kinds of comments and those who make them! Can we say "predictable?"


So many people in similar situations as yours have had this resolved in a realistic and satisfactory way. You may have to call the TA a dozen times to keep checking seating that may open up. I wouldn't want to be a pest to the TA or even the airline, but you're paying good money for those tickets. I understand that a ticket only guarantees you passage from point A to point B, and not specific seats, but you can keep trying. Good good luck. I know what you mean about being a nervous wreck when flying. It'll work out.

 

[jodifla]

Didn't she say when the TA booked the flight they had 5 seats in one row? With the airlines constantly changing seats these days, I can't see how a TA could keep track of everyone they have booked, they would have to be constantly checking reservations for changes. People on this board have reported their seat assignments being changed weekly. Most flights to popular destinations are booked pretty solid a month or two before. I think the TA's are stuck in the middle. The airlines move flights & equipment around, mainly to keep their companies above water (or from going completely under), move people around by computer (I would not say they are intentionally being "monsters"). By the time the TA finds out, there are no open seats together on the plane to switch people to. Perhaps Southwest has the best plan with open seating.

Good Luck to you, I'm sure it will work out. Let us know what happens.

What the heck else does a TA have to do? THis is THEIR JOB, travel arrangements.

 

[ducklite]

Yes, your convenience is what it's all about. Forget the terrified 4 year old. And forget that there's often just two flights a day where we go...there's no waiting for the mythical next flight that has seats together.

Cause it's all about the frequent flier.

Yup, it is.

Anne

 

[jodifla]

Yup, it is.

Anne

Well, at least we finally agree.

 

[ducklite]

Well, at least we finally agree.

Yup, and I've still got my seat. What you do about your's is up to you.

Anne