Airtran...paid for my seats, but so did someone else!

[kaytieeldr]

It is also possible that the computer "hiccuped" and gave two people the same seat (I've had it happen once or twice - admittedly a very small percentage of my overall flights). It was always sorted out fairly easily. Admittedly, the OP is talking about four seats being double assigned (rather than just one), which would have needed a big "hiccup".

And it sounds like, from what the OP reports, that this same thing had been happening frequently on flights that same week - passengers were double-seated.

The GA should have had the OPs family paged.

Airports are a noisy place, it's possible they were paged and didn't hear it. We were stuck at Midway one trip, our original connection was cancelled & we were on the standby list for last flight out. I was told by SW that their policy is to make 3 announcements before the standbys get a chance...we lucked out

True, airports are noisy; but the PA systems in every airport I've used (few, I admit ) have been state of the art. I can clearly hear announcements at my gate even when they have nothing to do with my flight.

 

[Lewisc]

And it sounds like, from what the OP reports, that this same thing had been happening frequently on flights that same week - passengers were double-seated.

Could that be the GA accommodating parents who demand seats next to their kids? Cancel a passengers assigned seats. Transfer the problem, complaining parents, to the FA? I'd think management would catch on pretty fast.

 

[DebbieB]

They tried to separate me and my DD after messing up our flights (we originally had assigned seats that were booked 6 months in advance).
I just waited for the person who was supposed to sit next to Becky and explained that she could take my seat instead, or she could keep her seat next to Becky..but that Becky would probably cry the entire flight. She took my seat.

If that was me, I would have stayed with my seat because of the way you asked. If you would have said "can you do us a big favor and take my seat so that I can sit with my daughter" I would have moved. But giving me an ultimatum, I would have not moved. One time I was in a window seat and a woman with a lapbaby and a little girl sat in the 2 seats next to me. I was going to see if I could move, I could not get the attention of the FA. Then the mother started with "let's sing songs the whole flight" and "I think you look like you are getting sick (to the daughter)", she was trying to push me out to give the baby a seat. I thought, forget it, and put my headphones on.

 

[SolPlyr]

I've read all of the posts to this point and I'm left wondering one thing -- At what point did the GA actually announce that the flight was oversold and that they may need to look for volunteers to step off that flight?

 

[momof3poohlovers]

It is posts like these that give parents who fly a bad name. And make people shudder with dread when they see them.

I can't believe you have the gumption to attack another person for not giving up their seat, and call them childish, all the while admitting that you threatened another passenger into giving up their seat to accomodate you and your family. You have no right to do that. Just as you have no right to assume that the gentleman who wouldn't move for another poster didn't have a valid reason for keeping his window seat. Maybe he gets airsick if not at a window? Who knows? It is nobody else's business why he had that seat and why he didn't (couldn't?) move. No matter what his reason for not moving, he certainlly didn't deserve to get sick for not moving.

I agree with crashbb. If you can't ask nicely to switch seats, and instead threaten, then there is no way I would move. You are lucky there was someone in that seat that felt sorry enough for you they let you bully them. Talk about being childish!!

I agree with you that you should never use an implied threat to get someone to move. I definitely did not do so. I asked the guy nicely if he would please move so that my youngest daughter may sit with us and he said "no, I am already settled." That is why I was explaining to those earlier who acted like it is just so easy to get people to move. It really isn't. Plus, in my case, the FA was getting irritated and wanted me seated. I have to say, he may have some hidden reason he wanted to be by the window, who knows but I have to say I disagree with you in that I didn't care whether or not he ended up getting sick afterwards. He really was rude the entire flight, not because he didn't move but did several things like return from the bathroom and literally barreled over me before I even got the chance to get up from my seat. He also kept making comments under his breath everytime my son moved or coughed. I am sure that the flight was just as miserable for him as it was for me but I did not feel one bit sorry for him.

 

[crashbb]

I agree with you that you should never use an implied threat to get someone to move. I definitely did not do so. I asked the guy nicely if he would please move so that my youngest daughter may sit with us and he said "no, I am already settled." That is why I was explaining to those earlier who acted like it is just so easy to get people to move. It really isn't. Plus, in my case, the FA was getting irritated and wanted me seated. I have to say, he may have some hidden reason he wanted to be by the window, who knows but I have to say I disagree with you in that I didn't care whether or not he ended up getting sick afterwards. He really was rude the entire flight, not because he didn't move but did several things like return from the bathroom and literally barreled over me before I even got the chance to get up from my seat. He also kept making comments under his breath everytime my son moved or coughed. I am sure that the flight was just as miserable for him as it was for me but I will not apologize because I did not feel one bit sorry for him.

I actually think that she was talking to LaurenT - who DID use a threat. And referred to a man (whom she has never seen) as "childish and rude", simply for not wanting to move. After the details, I have to agree that he does appear to be rather rude (though I still agree that he had a right to not move).

I don't think that your actions were inappropriate.

Out of curiosity, what type of seat (window/middle/aisle) were you asking him to switch to?

 

[momof3poohlovers]

Could that be the GA accommodating parents who demand seats next to their kids? Cancel a passengers assigned seats. Transfer the problem, complaining parents, to the FA? I'd think management would catch on pretty fast.

I think you may be on to something with parents who didn't pay for seats on certain airlines or who maybe didn't buy tickets far enough in advance to get assigned seats demanded the GA to seat them together thus bumping the passenger in those seats. That is why I have always planned my trips far in advance and always fly United or American where I can reserve our seats far in advance. We definitely would be considered frequent flyers. My oldest children have flown close to 100,000 miles (not all in one year) and I have never found my seats taken by someone legitimately. I have had people who have accidentally sat in the wrong seats but other than the instance that I have referenced in this thread, I have personally never seen someone with the same seats as me.

 

[momof3poohlovers]

I actually think that she was talking to LaurenT - who DID use a threat. And referred to a man (whom she has never seen) as "childish and rude", simply for not wanting to move. After the details, I have to agree that he does appear to be rather rude (though I still agree that he had a right to not move).

I don't think that your actions were inappropriate.

Out of curiosity, what type of seat (window/middle/aisle) were you asking him to switch to?

I realized that she was talking to someone else, I guess I just wanted to make it clear that I agreed with LaurenT that he was childish and rude. She actually characterized him pretty well for someone she hadn't met! I also agree with you, he definitely did have the right to not move, I know when I am settled in, I would hate to move although if I was him, I would have but I understand, he didn't "have" to move. However, I have to say, I really did get some satisfaction that he was miserable too because of the way he was behaving.

I had originally asked him to move to an aisle seat (where my DD eventually was seated). When he said no, the gentlemen who ended up being very nice and was seated next to my DD with his own son, offered to let him sit by the window and he and his son would take the middle and aisle seats but he said he didn't want to move. I have to admit, at first, I kind of felt bad, like I was harassing him but after a few minutes, the feeling left quickly. I think in our situation, the FA was the biggest jerk of all, even more so than the guy next to me because they refused to help at all and kept pressuring me to get in a seat really giving me little time to try and get seats together. I offered to let DS sit on my lap and let DD sit next to me but they refused to because he was already 2. Thank goodness, my 7 year old found a seat with no problem and was fine on her own. Again, knowing what I do now, I would just politely get off the airplane and ask to be put on another flight.

 

[crashbb]

I realized that she was talking to someone else, I guess I just wanted to make it clear that I agreed with LaurenT that he was childish and rude. She actually characterized him pretty well for someone she hadn't met! I also agree with you, he definitely did have the right to not move, I know when I am settled in, I would hate to move although if I was him, I would have but I understand, he didn't "have" to move. However, I have to say, I really did get some satisfaction that he was miserable too because of the way he was behaving.

I had originally asked him to move to an aisle seat (where my DD eventually was seated). When he said no, the gentlemen who ended up being very nice and was seated next to my DD with his own son, offered to let him sit by the window and he and his son would take the middle and aisle seats but he said he didn't want to move. I have to admit, at first, I kind of felt bad, like I was harassing him but after a few minutes, the feeling left quickly. I think in our situation, the FA was the biggest jerk of all, even more so than the guy next to me because they refused to help at all and kept pressuring me to get in a seat really giving me little time to try and get seats together. I offered to let DS sit on my lap and let DD sit next to me but they refused to because he was already 2. Thank goodness, my 7 year old found a seat with no problem and was fine on her own. Again, knowing what I do now, I would just politely get off the airplane and ask to be put on another flight.

What you could have done is asked the dad and son (the ones that ended up beside your DD) to switch with you and your son. So, you, your DS, and your youngest DD would all be sitting together and the man and his son would also be sitting together (beside the man who wouldn't move from the window seat).

I've done from fancy movements to get everyone sitting with family (or as many as possible).

Not saying that you should have thought of this (or blaming you), just suggesting something that may help someone in the future. Yes, it means asking two people (rather than one) to move, but the people you would be asking seemed nice.

Since they didn't have the aisle seat, I'm assuming that the rest of their family wasn't across the aisle from their original seats (even if they were, since they didn't have the aisle seat, they wouldn't be able to talk with them anyway.

 

[momof3poohlovers]

What you could have done is asked the dad and son (the ones that ended up beside your DD) to switch with you and your son. So, you, your DS, and your youngest DD would all be sitting together and the man and his son would also be sitting together (beside the man who wouldn't move from the window seat).

I've done from fancy movements to get everyone sitting with family (or as many as possible).

Not saying that you should have thought of this (or blaming you), just suggesting something that may help someone in the future. Yes, it means asking two people (rather than one) to move, but the people you would be asking seemed nice.

Since they didn't have the aisle seat, I'm assuming that the rest of their family wasn't across the aisle from their original seats (even if they were, since they didn't have the aisle seat, they wouldn't be able to talk with them anyway.

You know, it never even crossed my mind. I don't know if he had other family close by as I really didn't get to talk to him, I really was super stressed and honestly not thinking in my right mind. That's funny though that in all of these years, it never even dawned on me.

 

[maxiesmom]

I had originally asked him to move to an aisle seat (where my DD eventually was seated). When he said no, the gentlemen who ended up being very nice and was seated next to my DD with his own son, offered to let him sit by the window and he and his son would take the middle and aisle seats but he said he didn't want to move. I have to admit, at first, I kind of felt bad, like I was harassing him but after a few minutes, the feeling left quickly. I think in our situation, the FA was the biggest jerk of all, even more so than the guy next to me because they refused to help at all and kept pressuring me to get in a seat really giving me little time to try and get seats together. I offered to let DS sit on my lap and let DD sit next to me but they refused to because he was already 2. Thank goodness, my 7 year old found a seat with no problem and was fine on her own. Again, knowing what I do now, I would just politely get off the airplane and ask to be put on another flight.

The FAs are under pressure to get everyone in a seat so that the plane can get moving. I know I have been on flights where family members were scattered around the aircraft, and they told them to take their seats and figure it out when the plane was up in the air. They really do need to get the plane moving.

Also, they cannot at all let you keep a child who is over 2 in your lap for takeoff. It is strictly forbidden, and they would get in huge trouble if found out.

It could be that the man in the window was just a jerk. But another post today by a FA has me more willing to give the benefit of a doubt. She posted she had a woman on a flight who was nothing but nasty. She burst into tears mid flight and the FA found out she was on the way home to bury her mom. You just never know what is going on with people and it is much better for your own self to give them a break.

 

[Ratatosk]

Years ago I was flying United and got to my seat to find a woman in my seat, with a boarding pass showing the same seat assignment. I waited patiently for the FA to sort it out, which she did, by placing me in First Class. Score!

DH, DS7 and I usually end up getting separated. We've usually managed to get our seat assignments changed or ask someone to switch so one of us is seated with DS.

 

[Mkrop]

You are important, but time is money. Flight attendants, gate agents, etc., don't have any way to know about specific passengers' flying concerns. While you weren't the last ones to board the plane, those people were also aboard while the FAs were trying to sort out your seating issues - so it's not that the plane was waiting for them. You could have quickly said, "Offer Business Class to the people in these (the double-assigned) seats)" or you could have turned to those people and offered them yourself. You could have rearranged the luggage when the seatbelt sign was turned off, or asked the flight attendants for help.

Since you're not going to fly any more, this won't help you - but chewing gum, sucking on hard candy, or just swallowing hard repeatedly clears one's ears during take-off and landing. I'm sure talking with you takes your daughter's mind off her problem, but these are actual physical solutions.

And to everyone else? JetBlue doesn't overbook

None of these work on my kids or myself, and believe me I have tried everything, even the Ear Planes someone mentioned. The only thing that works is a oral decongestant AND a nasal spray but even this is hit or miss. Last flight it worked great for me and DS13 but DS8 was in tremndous pain.

I think OP has a legitimate complaint against Airtran

 

[Shock13]

The FAs are under pressure to get everyone in a seat so that the plane can get moving. I know I have been on flights where family members were scattered around the aircraft, and they told them to take their seats and figure it out when the plane was up in the air. They really do need to get the plane moving.

As someone who worked for an airline company in crew operations this is probably the #1 reason why FA's can be rude about getting everyone seated. Getting that flight up in the air is priority and if they can do it a few minutes early then that's even better.
Many people need to realize that the FA's main job is safety, not assisting with musical chairs. They have lots to do before getting that plane going and out on time.

 

[momof3poohlovers]

As someone who worked for an airline company in crew operations this is probably the #1 reason why FA's can be rude about getting everyone seated. Getting that flight up in the air is priority and if they can do it a few minutes early then that's even better.
Many people need to realize that the FA's main job is safety, not assisting with musical chairs. They have lots to do before getting that plane going and out on time.

Then I guess it is up to the airlines to make sure they don't double book seats. I really don't think it is a computer error. Especially 4 seats. Maybe it isn't the FA's problem but it shouldn't be my problem either. I paid a lot of money for the 4 of us to travel and I don't expect my 24 month old and 4 year old to be taken care of by strangers. I shouldn't have to be scrambling or playing musical chairs trying to find seats because the seats I purchased have been given away. If they want to get in the air on time, then don't double book seats. I have to say, United did compensate me afterwards but I would much rather have had an uneventful flight than the money.

 

[Shock13]

Airlines have been double booking for years so that will probably never stop. I believe your situation does not happen very often and you had every right to be angry about not getting the seats you PAID for. But here's the thing...the FA's and the GA's don't exactly communicate. GA's will just do what they can to get those passengers out of the boarding area and their gate empty so the next plane can come in and the FA's need to get people seated so the flight leaves on time.

My guess is that in your situation the GA knew the situation but decided to just let the FA handle it once inside the plane instead of just fixing it.

 

[vellamint]

Terrible terrible for you and your kids.

I have a disturbing need to get on the plane as soon as possible and a lot of times the friends and family I travel with dont understand why........things like this are why.