Anyone have SW make you give up EBCI seat?

[Sheilby]

I don't believe this is true. Service dogs these days can be any breed. I don't see any common service dogs on the AKC's recommendation page for breeds which are good for allergy sufferers:

http://www.akc.org/about/faq_allergies.cfm

Ugh, good thing I haven't had to deal with them yet then. Hopefully my track record will continue. My dog allergies tend to be just nuisance allergies anyway. I feel bad and get the the typical reactions, but it isn't like it is with cats. One pill is generally enough for a dog (unless there are tons of them around), and I can drink enough caffeine to counter one pill.

 

[Gracie09]

Well said.

I feel like this thread got way too hypothetical and ignored what really happens aboard planes. Even airlines with assigned seating frequently shuffle people around to seat a parent next to a young child.

And it seems that point got missed here: young child. Children 3 and 4 years don't travel as unaccompanied minors (5 and older for that) because they need somebody they no to supervise them pretty much constantly. And its a bit ridiculous to ask a parent allow a stranger to be the person responsible for a preschooler in an in-flight emergency. Yeah, there might be people willing, but how is s a parent supposed to know whether or not that stranger has flight phobias and would be capable of taking care of *ANYONE* in an emergency. All for what greater principle?

I understand the instinct to take a stand against rudeness and entitlement, but I don't think this is the right place to do so. Otherwise you're just contributing to an increase of rudeness and entitlement in the world.

If the child in the pp was 3 or 4 they would have boarded with family boarding and would have found two seats together. That is what family boarding is suppose to be for not what it has turned into, a free for all of all the extended family to get on early. It is rude to assume people will be responsible for your child that is why you (in the abstract not personally) need to do everything you can to ensure that your child's needs are met. For us it not flying sw with our kids because we know they are not mature enough to fly without us next to them. Sw has been banking on this family friendly reputation they have that simply is not true in practice.
If you need to keep your party together, don't fly sw. Don't assume other people will move to accommodate you. And if I was on a plane where a pilot held up closing the doors and pushing back because of a seating issue like this, I would be lodging a complaint as soon as my feet hit the ground. Although is suspect it this day and age of hurrying to move planes in and out of gate areas the pilot would have blinked. It's not worth explaining to your boss that you were late departing when you were clear to go because Johnny's mommy wanted to sit next to him.

 

[GrnMtnMan]

If the child in the pp was 3 or 4 they would have boarded with family boarding and would have found two seats together. That is what family boarding is suppose to be for not what it has turned into, a free for all of all the extended family to get on early. It is rude to assume people will be responsible for your child that is why you (in the abstract not personally) need to do everything you can to ensure that your child's needs are met. For us it not flying sw with our kids because we know they are not mature enough to fly without us next to them. Sw has been banking on this family friendly reputation they have that simply is not true in practice.
If you need to keep your party together, don't fly sw.

Incoming flight can be late, and you miss family boarding...and your EBCI spot in the A group. Or no family boarding at all.

We can do this all day (like don't buy connecting flight with kids...etc).

Don't assume other people will move to accommodate you. And if I was on a plane where a pilot held up closing the doors and pushing back because of a seating issue like this, I would be lodging a complaint as soon as my feet hit the ground. Although is suspect it this day and age of hurrying to move planes in and out of gate areas the pilot would have blinked. It's not worth explaining to your boss that you were late departing when you were clear to go because Johnny's mommy wanted to sit next to him.

I get it. You (in the abstract not personally) would rather have a mom and preschooler deplane and find a later flight than move for them.

As I said:

I understand the instinct to take a stand against rudeness and entitlement, but I don't think this is the right place to do so. Otherwise you're just contributing to an increase of rudeness and entitlement in the world.

 

[Lewisc]

If the child in the pp was 3 or 4 they would have boarded with family boarding and would have found two seats together. That is what family boarding is suppose to be for not what it has turned into, a free for all of all the extended family to get on early. It is rude to assume people will be responsible for your child that is why you (in the abstract not personally) need to do everything you can to ensure that your child's needs are met. For us it not flying sw with our kids because we know they are not mature enough to fly without us next to them. Sw has been banking on this family friendly reputation they have that simply is not true in practice.
If you need to keep your party together, don't fly sw. Don't assume other people will move to accommodate you. And if I was on a plane where a pilot held up closing the doors and pushing back because of a seating issue like this, I would be lodging a complaint as soon as my feet hit the ground. Although is suspect it this day and age of hurrying to move planes in and out of gate areas the pilot would have blinked. It's not worth explaining to your boss that you were late departing when you were clear to go because Johnny's mommy wanted to sit next to him.

Neither an "A" BP nor family mid-boarding will help a family with an incoming connecting flight which is late. Maybe Southwest is holding the flight for incoming passengers.

There is no reason for the pilot to "blink". It may seem like an eternity but it only takes a minute or two before someone volunteers. You can wait for someone else to volunteer. You can wait and hope the offer gets improved. Complain? You can either volunteer your seat or wait until the FA can get another passenger to move. Suppose the only available seats aren't suitable for an infant in a car seat?

The problem with these threads. Posters complaining want to sit next to older kids. One single mother wanted to sit next to her 16 year old. We lose sight of the fact that there are a few cases in which it is more then reasonable for the FA to ask, or even, demand passengers move.

 

[Wish I lived in Fl]

Bought ECBI for me and DD11. Gave up our seats for a faimily that got on at the end with 6 and 7 year old children.

They offered me all the drinks I wanted but i had to drive at the end of the flight.

 

[cobright]

Was this on SWA? I am surprised that any employee of that airline would do that. Open seating does not mean strong arming someone into changing their seats it means you select a seat and sit in it. No one has to move, it is purely volunteer.

You'd be surprised how much authority that captain has over what happens on his plane. If he asks you to move, he's probably not really going to accept a no.

 

[cobright]

And if I was on a plane where a pilot held up closing the doors and pushing back because of a seating issue like this, I would be lodging a complaint as soon as my feet hit the ground. Although is suspect it this day and age of hurrying to move planes in and out of gate areas the pilot would have blinked. It's not worth explaining to your boss that you were late departing when you were clear to go because Johnny's mommy wanted to sit next to him.

Nobody cares what time that plane departs, only about what time it touches down. How many times has your flight been delayed only to land pretty close to on-time because of a "favorable tailwind" or something. The captain can sit it out a good 10-20 minutes and make it up in flight.

As for who blinks first, there is a lot of road on this game of chicken left after that request is made. I've seen the captain announce that if the child ends up seated apart from the parent there would be no drink service.

At one point on a flight the head FA started calling out single riders by name to see who was sitting next to another single rider or empty seat. Talk about social pressure.

 

[maxiesmom]

Nobody cares what time that plane departs, only about what time it touches down. How many times has your flight been delayed only to land pretty close to on-time because of a "favorable tailwind" or something. The captain can sit it out a good 10-20 minutes and make it up in flight.

Not necessarily. Depnds on how much fuel he has. And on which way the wind is blowing.

As far as ensuring the flight goes smoothly, that won't happen if you make someone move who has issues (such as clausterphobia, or just a strong fear of flying) and they have a mid air freak out. Other people have a real need for certain seats too. And to me they are equally as valid as wanting to sit next to your child.

Do what you can ahead of time to make sure you can choose where to sit. If you don't pay for EBCI because you want to save some money, don't complain that there are so few seats to choose from when you board the plane.

 

[gmeh1]

So far I have never been on a flight with a service animal (I don't fly much), but from what I know service dogs are usually breeds that people tend to be less allergic to. As long as dogs don't like me and I resist the urge to pet them I am usually OK as long as I'm not in a house where the dog has been everywhere. Cats are my real kryptonite, I'm down for the count.

Service animals can be any breed of dog. German Shepards, Labs and Goldens are the ones I see most often, they shed, so, they would be likely to cause you problems. Lately, many people are getting fake service animal IDs, which really annoys me. That is just not right.

 

[goofy4tink]

HEY!!! GUYS!!!! Can we stop the back and forth here??? This is a ridiculous argument..one that crops up every few months or so.
Here's the bottom line.....there just aren't that many instances where a FA has to ask the passengers to please switch seats in order to put a child with a parent!!! It just isn't that common!! Does it happen occasionally? Sure. But maybe in 15% of the flights, if that!
There is no reason to go around, freaking out over something that will probably not happen.
And if it does happen? There are usually some people that will move. I know I will if I'm flying solo. No, I won't give up my seat if I was A20 and they want me to move to the back of the plane. But, usually, I'm happy to move. But you have to understand that moving to put a child with a parent usually has more than one person moving!!! Unless there is a nice person that is sitting next to the child or parent and is willing to move. Or you might get a couple who doesn't mind being seated apart from their spouse, friend, whatever!

But really, there is no end to this argument. So, lets quit now.

 

[Sheilby]

Service animals can be any breed of dog. German Shepards, Labs and Goldens are the ones I see most often, they shed, so, they would be likely to cause you problems. Lately, many people are getting fake service animal IDs, which really annoys me. That is just not right.

Shedding isn't usually the problem for me, it isn't the hair I'm allergic to, it's the dander and saliva. If a dog or cat licks me, I swell up like a balloon. I've had people swear to me that their dog was hypoallergenic because it didn't shed, yet I still react. Yet I've been around other dogs that shed and not had much of a problem in comparison.

I hate when people scam the system, they make it so hard for the people who really need the accommodations. Seems like more and more people have a "need" for service animals lately. Also, I'm finding it so hard to find a handicap spot when I take my mom places. She has advanced Parkinson's and really needs the closer spot, but people seem to use the spots even when they don't have the handicapped person with them. If you can sprint into the store after you park, you may not need a handicapped spot.

 

[gmeh1]

Shedding isn't usually the problem for me, it isn't the hair I'm allergic to, it's the dander and saliva. If a dog or cat licks me, I swell up like a balloon. I've had people swear to me that their dog was hypoallergenic because it didn't shed, yet I still react. Yet I've been around other dogs that shed and not had much of a problem in comparison.

I hate when people scam the system, they make it so hard for the people who really need the accommodations. Seems like more and more people have a "need" for service animals lately. Also, I'm finding it so hard to find a handicap spot when I take my mom places. She has advanced Parkinson's and really needs the closer spot, but people seem to use the spots even when they don't have the handicapped person with them. If you can sprint into the store after you park, you may not need a handicapped spot.

Allergies are not fun. I don't have any for animals, but, strong perfumes ( I call them eau de roade kill) are very bad for me. I cannot breath. so, I do understand your situation.

I also abhor people who scam they system. Handicap parking is one of my pet peeves. I am a firm believer in karma and eventually it will bit these folks in the butt.

 

[stitchlovestink]

You'd be surprised how much authority that captain has over what happens on his plane. If he asks you to move, he's probably not really going to accept a no.

Nobody cares what time that plane departs, only about what time it touches down. How many times has your flight been delayed only to land pretty close to on-time because of a "favorable tailwind" or something. The captain can sit it out a good 10-20 minutes and make it up in flight.

As for who blinks first, there is a lot of road on this game of chicken left after that request is made. I've seen the captain announce that if the child ends up seated apart from the parent there would be no drink service.

At one point on a flight the head FA started calling out single riders by name to see who was sitting next to another single rider or empty seat. Talk about social pressure.

Wow!! But ultimately they (flight attendants/the Captain/***'t Captain) have the right to move people around as they see the need to. The flight attendants do it thru the volunteer system. The Captain 'can' do it thru 'force' if he so chooses....if he/she feels it is in the best interest for the flight. Not a 'good' way to operate, but they do retain that authority. The pilot has to do what is in the best interest of the ENTIRE flight and if it means that a pair needs to be seated together, and the Captain determines that it is reasonable...Well, he can do what he feels is necessary to make that flight safe for them and for everyone else. DD has a close friend whose father is a SW pilot and I asked him about this and that was his response.

Shedding isn't usually the problem for me, it isn't the hair I'm allergic to, it's the dander and saliva. If a dog or cat licks me, I swell up like a balloon. I've had people swear to me that their dog was hypoallergenic because it didn't shed, yet I still react. Yet I've been around other dogs that shed and not had much of a problem in comparison.

I hate when people scam the system, they make it so hard for the people who really need the accommodations. Seems like more and more people have a "need" for service animals lately. Also, I'm finding it so hard to find a handicap spot when I take my mom places. She has advanced Parkinson's and really needs the closer spot, but people seem to use the spots even when they don't have the handicapped person with them. If you can sprint into the store after you park, you may not need a handicapped spot.

I used to be allergic to dog dandruff when I was little but I outgrew it around age 12. Amazingly, I was never allergic to poodles though...

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

.......

I used to be allergic to dog dandruff when I was little but I outgrew it around age 12. Amazingly, I was never allergic to poodles though...

Not so surprising. Poodles are often recommended for people with allergies. They shed less hair and dander than most dogs. In fact, they have hair, not fur.

 

[gmeh1]

Not so surprising. Poodles are often recommended for people with allergies. They shed less hair and dander than most dogs. In fact, they have hair, not fur.

fur and hair are synonymous. Fur is used to refer to nonhuman animals.

 

[seashoreCM]

It isn't as bad as you think.

Most families buy Early Boarding Check In so they can sit together. Most adults buy EBCI so they board early enough to put their carryons in the overhead bins. If the flight attendants want you to switch seats you may leave your carry on where it is (if not under a seat) is rather than bring it to your new seat where there may be no room overhead.

fur and hair are synonymous. Fur is used to refer to nonhuman animals.

Work-study job posting at my college (transitioning from all male to coed) for a customer service type position (ca 1970's) "... pretty faces as well as furry ones ...".

I don't like the idea of first come first serve if it comes to number of service animals allowed on a flight. A passenger should be able to know in advance of being able to board.

 

[jsilvers]

I don't like the idea of first come first serve if it comes to number of service animals allowed on a flight. A passenger should be able to know in advance of being able to board.

I'm not sure I follow. The DOT's rules for passengers with disabilities (14 C.F.R. Part 382) are quite clear that an airline cannot limit the number of passengers with disabilities that may be aboard a flight. Accordingly, there also is no limit on the number of service animals that may be aboard a flight.

 

[stitchlovestink]

I'm not sure I follow. The DOT's rules for passengers with disabilities (14 C.F.R. Part 382) are quite clear that an airline cannot limit the number of passengers with disabilities that may be aboard a flight. Accordingly, there also is no limit on the number of service animals that may be aboard a flight.

...

 

[Leigh123]

Completely agree. I can't understand why an adult who can fully take care of themselves would consider a seat location on a plane more important than the safety and security of a child.

I would agree what a horrible situation that would be, but why would this parent not just buy the EBC to avoid it all together, am I missing something?

 

[luv2sleep]

I would agree what a horrible situation that would be, but why would this parent not just buy the EBC to avoid it all together, am I missing something?

Always have since they've offered it even just for myself. However, as I stated earlier I've been delayed in the airport and on my way to getting to the gate while inside the airport because of a tantruming, screaming child in a severe meltdown.