Checking in at DTD

[Tinkerbell1986]

Has anyone done this with Virgin? It would be a great option for us but we don't know whether it would be feasible as my partner needs a bulkhead seat. Would they assign this at DTD?

 

[Cheshire Figment]

If there is a definite need, contact Virgin ahead of time with the explanation of the need. You may even want to do this before leaving the UK; they may actually block and reserve the seat.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I agree with Cheshire. At least one US airline will do this (for me, at least - and I can't see that I'm more special than any other passenger), despite the rule that those seats can be assigned only at the airport.

 

[Tinkerbell1986]

If there is a definite need, contact Virgin ahead of time with the explanation of the need. You may even want to do this before leaving the UK; they may actually block and reserve the seat.

What do you mean? I told you he needs a bulkhead seat. What difference is there between that and a definite need?

We have never had any problems getting a bulkhead seat with Virgin so I'm not worried about that I just wondered whether they are actually able to assign them at DTD check-in in the same way they are able to at the airport check in.

 

[inaminute]

I would imagine a "definite need" would be to accommodate a disability of some sort. If there is a disability, the airline may be willing to assign that seat prior to arriving at the airport.

Just because someone "wants" something doesn't mean they're going to get it. If someone actually "needs" something in order to participate, chances are much better that they will get it. That's where a defininte need comes in.

I certainly don't think the poster was trying to be insulting.

 

[pugdog]

We already have the bulkhead seats for our flight down next friday and for our return trip in 3 weeks. We have always been able to book the bulkheads at 90 days with NWA.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

What do you mean? I told you he needs a bulkhead seat. What difference is there between that and a definite need?

We have never had any problems getting a bulkhead seat with Virgin so I'm not worried about that I just wondered whether they are actually able to assign them at DTD check-in in the same way they are able to at the airport check in.

I'm sorry for the phrasing, but I meant explaining the definite need to the airline. I did not intend to doubt your need.

 

[Tinkerbell1986]

Cheshire Figment, sorry for the misunderstanding

Inaminute, yes there is a definite need; to accomodate a disability.

Thank you for your help. We last flew in April 2006 to New York (with Virgin) and the bulkhead seat couldn't be allocated until we checked in at the airport. Things might have changed since then. I never understood why they could only "acknowledge" your need for bulkhead seats prior to your trip, instead of actually assigning the seat numbers. Gives great peace of mind if you know you've got the bulkhead seat you need prior to your trip.

 

[SueM in MN]

I never understood why they could only "acknowledge" your need for bulkhead seats prior to your trip, instead of actually assigning the seat numbers. Gives great peace of mind if you know you've got the bulkhead seat you need prior to your trip.

I think one of the reasons that many airlines won't confirm bulkhead seats ahead of time is that there are people who will say that they need those seats when they really just want them.
If the seats were confirmed for someone like that before you got a chance to request them, they would get the seats and you would be out of luck. Not having a firm assignment ahead of time is a definite inconvenience for someone who needs it, but it also helps protects the seats for people like you who need it.

 

[Tinkerbell1986]

Good point Sue. Never thought that people would request them without actually needing them. Such naivety eh?

 

[SueM in MN]

Nothing surprises me too much any more, but people have even gone to the lengths of buying "MAKE A WISH" buttons for healthy children just to get ahead in line. Those buttons are normally given to children with terminal or potentially life threatening illnesses, but people are willing to pretend that just to get what they consider an advantage.

If you read the "Open Letter From SueM", that sort of thing was one of the reasons I wrote that "Letter".

 

[fakereadhed]

Nothing surprises me too much any more, but people have even gone to the lengths of buying "MAKE A WISH" buttons for healthy children just to get ahead in line.

That makes me sad in so many ways.

 

[livndisney]

Nothing surprises me too much any more, but people have even gone to the lengths of buying "MAKE A WISH" buttons for healthy children just to get ahead in line. Those buttons are normally given to children with terminal or potentially life threatening illnesses, but people are willing to pretend that just to get what they consider an advantage.

If you read the "Open Letter From SueM", that sort of thing was one of the reasons I wrote that "Letter".

WOW, I had no idea people did that. That is just WRONG!!!

 

[mazz1]

if you have internet access Laura and have informed virgin special needs of your request in advance then using the online check in it will show if the bulkhead has been allocated or not

if not and they are available they will allocate at DTD

we've only once had a problem getting a bulkhead and that was due to a mix up at DTD, she put us in the row behind

 

[sue and co]

Virgin will not guarantee a bulkhead seat they will only mark it as a request even for special needs. Apparently the reason for this is that the same seats are used for skycots and if there are too many babies that need these cots on the same flight they will get priority not the person with special needs. Whether you think this is right or not this is the rule.

DTD can allocate bulkhead seats but they need to go and make a phone call to do it (it adds about 5 minutes to check in time) BUT if too many people with babies have already checked in you may not get it.

The rules may be different for american airlines but this is what virgin special needs department have told me - I have registered my request for a bulkhead seat and agreed that I am willing to sit apart from the rest of my family to get it but I will not know until I check in if I am going to be able to get it.