Delta "Family Seating"

[melancholywings]

Exactly! and again we aren't talking toddlers but any child who can go to school for 6-8 hours and can care for them selves there can care for them selves on a plane for the same or less hours. It is the Moms who can't deal with it not the kids.

I disagree, not every child is built the same and it's wrong to assume that just because one 6 year old can handle sitting with strangers and away from their family all 6 year olds can. It's not one size fits all.

In the case of the OP where she picked her seats together and the airline is at fault for them no longer being together - the airline should move seats around to allow the children to sit with at least one adult. Airlines have to move seats around all the time - too many babies in the same row, children in the exit row, people in the exit row who don't want the responsibility. Regardless of what seat you pick the airline will do what they feel is best for the safety of all passengers.

 

[my2minnies]

Great post!!!!!I so hate the "Ha ha, you won't want to sit next to my crying/puking kid" comment. Grow up already! If you ask nicely, people may be willing to accomodate you. Plunk your kid down and start making comments about how bad a flyer they are, and you will most likely end up with your child being ignored.

OP--A few years back we became aware that Delts sometimes holds back the last row on the airplane. I had purchased an airline ticket, and then my sister and her family decided to fly, instead of drive, a few weeks later. We called, and Delta told us to check at the gate, that they left that back row unassigned so that they could shuffle people around. We all ended up seated together, towards the front of the plane.

I don't think anyone on here is saying they will plop their crying kid down if their seats are not honored. The op simply stated that she chose seats for her family through Expedia, but Delta did not honor them. Luckily she was able to fix the situation so her children who have never flown before could sit with her. Where is the entitlement in that? I have not read anywhere on here where people feel that people are required to move to accommodate a family. Don't move your seat when you see a family with young children struggling to figure out seating arrangements. There will always be some kind person who will.

If any airline messes up and separates family members they should move people to accommodate a family. Why are these other people without kids entitled to keep their seats? Remember, as many of you have stated, seating arrangements can change at any time.

What I cannot understand is why someone would want to sit away from their child? When I am on a family vacation, I want to be with my kids. I do believe a child of the age of 8 may be too nervous to sit without a parent especially when they have never flown before.

 

[WantToGoNow]

My dd7 has flown twice before and would probably be fine if she was placed next to strangers. She's going to talk their ear off, but she will be fine. She also has a lot of nosebleeds from a platelet disorder and she almost always has a bleed on the plane (altitude change or something). She can take care of it herself pretty much unless it's one of the ones she terms a "gusher" and then it can get ugly.

My ds10 has never flown. And he's afraid of heights. And he has a lot of anxiety. This is a surprise trip so he won't even know about it until the morning of so he doesn't have time to prepare (or flip out). He would probably be in hysterics if he's not sitting with me or dd27.

We purchased seats on AirTran that are 2x2 (except one leg where we are 3x1 with me by myself and dd27, ds10 and dd7 together). Dh is sitting this one out.

 

[Aunt Bee]

It's perfectly normal for moms to take 8 year old boys into the women's restroom with them because the child is too young to go to the men's room alone, but I'm being overprotective because I would prefer that my children sit with me (as opposed to strangers) on a 3 hour flight - and I'm sure those boys have gone to pee a lot more times than my daughters have flown!

I'm really sorry I bothered to post this. Silly me. I thought I might help some other family. I didn't realize how many people have nothing better to do than sit around judging others parenting decisions. You don’t know me, and you don’t know my children. You have no idea what they’ve been through. So how about y’all stick to raising your own kids (real or hypothetical) and I’ll raise mine.

BTW, if we get to the airport and learn that we aren’t sitting together, we’ll work it out, but I sure as heck wasn’t going to start out knowing we were going to be separated.

You know your children, and if you think they will be freaked out if they have to sit with strangers, the best hope is to get to airport early, early, recheck seat assignments, and hope for the best.

BUT, if it doesn't work out and you and your children cannot sit together, hopefully you will take comfort in knowing that thousands of unaccompanied minors fly on airplanes all the time and do quite well.

I used to fly frequently for work and can't tell you how many times I've seen 5 year olds do beautifully sitting in the middle row between 2 grownup strangers. I've been in a row with unaccompanied kids many times myself.

Flight attendants are very vigilant; if there's a problem with your child they can't handle, they will alert you quickly.

Hopefully, on the off off chance that you are assigned separate seats and if there isn't a kind stranger on board willling to switch seats with you, then just go with the flow. And the next time, avoid Expedia and book directly with the airline.

Good luck and Pixe Dust for a good trip.

Aunt Bee

 

[Leajess99]

Fine. But the fact remains, I still shelled out my hard-earned cash for a particular seat for particular reasons. In the case of equipment change, I should get the seat - or something as close to it as possible - I paid for over someone who didn't. Money talks, bullsh!t walks.

Your facts are wrong. If you paid a premium it was for a seat in a certain section (1st class, economy, economy plus, etc), not a specific seat or seat location. I've never heard of someone moved from a premium section to the economy section, but you can expect to be moved around the section. As a matter of fact, the FA can move you around at their discretion once you're on the plane. But they wouldn't move you, because you'd be ignoring them.

I actually find this interesting as not too long ago we were told you had to sit in the seat you were assigned and could not changes seats due to the flight manifest. What happens should said plane crash and victims can't quickly be identified so they go off of the manifest and notify the families of those listed on the manifest of the deaths?? I guarantee there would be one heck of a lawsuit if the survivor's family was misinformed of his death because a flight attendant made him/her change seats.

 

[Leajess99]

I disagree, not every child is built the same and it's wrong to assume that just because one 6 year old can handle sitting with strangers and away from their family all 6 year olds can. It's not one size fits all.

In the case of the OP where she picked her seats together and the airline is at fault for them no longer being together - the airline should move seats around to allow the children to sit with at least one adult. Airlines have to move seats around all the time - too many babies in the same row, children in the exit row, people in the exit row who don't want the responsibility. Regardless of what seat you pick the airline will do what they feel is best for the safety of all passengers.

Please go reread because she did NOT book through the airline but booked through Expedia. Delta is NOT at fault here and the OP is the one who made the choice to NOT use the airline so it is on her.

Again, her children are old enough to sit away from her as far as the airlines are concerned. At their ages the airlines allow them to fly as unaccompanied minors and know that kids can sit away from their parents.

ETA - Expedia doesn't know what seats are already booked on the Delta flights therefore it is kind of hard for them to allow seat assignments. Booking through expedia is a "hope it all works out" thing. Delta is going to give seat preference to those who book with them as they know what is and is not available on any flight.

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

Read your contract of carriage with the airline (you agreed to it by purchasing a ticket). You don't buy a specific seat on an airplane. The airlines can and will move your seats (and flights for that matter) at will if it suits them. All they have to do is get you from point A to point B in a reasonable time frame.

And the previous poster hit the nail on the head - it is the sense of ENTITLEMENT that is pushing buttons on here. Good call on that one.

 

[sparklynails23]

DH flies all the time and gives up his seat for families without hesitation. I don't get the attitude of, "I'll show them. How dare those parents ask for my seat." It's not a big deal. If you feel like being a jerk, someone else will be nice. No biggie. Flying sucks, no matter where you sit.

 

[maxiesmom]

DH flies all the time and gives up his seat for families without hesitation. I don't get the attitude of, "I'll show them. How dare those parents ask for my seat." It's not a big deal. If you feel like being a jerk, someone else will be nice. No biggie. Flying sucks, no matter where you sit.

Look at it the other way: Why should someone who has paid up to $20 per person for seats be expected to seperate from their family in order to accomodate another family? Not moving doesn't make anyone a jerk. What is jerky is to not pay for seats and then expect someone else to move to accomodate you. I know that is NOT what happened to the OP, but if you travel enough before long you end up asked to move. And it is frustrating.

 

[DISNEYFOS]

Its funny after being away from the boards for a year or so to come back and see this thread again. People are so worried about someone getting one up on them. Yes you are right..no one is entitled to have their seat assignments honored..nor are they entitled to have someone move so they can sit with their young child.

But we as a community should feel a slight obligation to help others if we are able just to make everyones life experience a little more pleasant. If someone is in distress and we are able to offer a something to help relieve that distress then isn't it just the "nice thing to do".

Just for the record, I would change my seat if it meant a scared child could sit with their mother..I also offer my seat on buses to just boarding mothers holding babies or elderly..or anyone that seems to be having more difficulty than I with the situation. It makes me feel nice. You should try it.

Can't we all just get along.

I'll probably log in in a year or so and have to post the same thing again.

 

[sam_gordon]

I actually find this interesting as not too long ago we were told you had to sit in the seat you were assigned and could not changes seats due to the flight manifest. What happens should said plane crash and victims can't quickly be identified so they go off of the manifest and notify the families of those listed on the manifest of the deaths?? I guarantee there would be one heck of a lawsuit if the survivor's family was misinformed of his death because a flight attendant made him/her change seats.

This doesn't make sense. The victims of a plane crash will be listed as being on the plane, regardless of what seat they are in. I don't think (assuming there are survivors) airlines simply look at "the passenger in seat 23A didn't survive, so that must be John Doe".

 

[robinb]

Nevermind. I have not had my coffee yet!

 

[ccgirl]

I don't think anyone on here is saying they will plop their crying kid down if their seats are not honored. The op simply stated that she chose seats for her family through Expedia, but Delta did not honor them. Luckily she was able to fix the situation so her children who have never flown before could sit with her. Where is the entitlement in that? I have not read anywhere on here where people feel that people are required to move to accommodate a family. Don't move your seat when you see a family with young children struggling to figure out seating arrangements. There will always be some kind person who will.

If any airline messes up and separates family members they should move people to accommodate a family. Why are these other people without kids entitled to keep their seats? Remember, as many of you have stated, seating arrangements can change at any time.

What I cannot understand is why someone would want to sit away from their child? When I am on a family vacation, I want to be with my kids. I do believe a child of the age of 8 may be too nervous to sit without a parent especially when they have never flown before.

Just wanted to respond to the bolded. Sometimes, due to logistics families do get split up. I try to prepare my children for all possibilities while flying so they are not so surprised. I find preparation is key. As for sisting away from them, as I said, my 8 year old actually prefers it. She says it makes her feel like a "big girl". Again, this is just my own experience. I realize not all 8 year olds are as independent.

I cannot sit in the middle of a row due to issues. Therefore, if the seat you are giving up is a middle seat I cannot switch no matter what age the child is. Now, if you need to trade another aisle seat, I will gladly switch with you.

As another poster indicated, the OP did NOT book from the airline, she booked from Expedia. As she said, in small writing it stated the airline may not honor seat assignments. That is why I always book through the airline.

While, certainly, I think people can be more accommodating when airlines make mistakes it is the parents that book the flight knowing their seats are not together and don't care because they expect others to be displaced for their convenience that frustrate most. Or, they don't pay the fee for seat assignments because they want to save money. In that case, the priority was the $$ not sitting next to your child.

 

[mdsoccermom]

I don't think anyone on here is saying they will plop their crying kid down if their seats are not honored. The op simply stated that she chose seats for her family through Expedia, but Delta did not honor them. Luckily she was able to fix the situation so her children who have never flown before could sit with her. Where is the entitlement in that? I have not read anywhere on here where people feel that people are required to move to accommodate a family. Don't move your seat when you see a family with young children struggling to figure out seating arrangements. There will always be some kind person who will.

If any airline messes up and separates family members they should move people to accommodate a family. Why are these other people without kids entitled to keep their seats? Remember, as many of you have stated, seating arrangements can change at any time.

What I cannot understand is why someone would want to sit away from their child? When I am on a family vacation, I want to be with my kids. I do believe a child of the age of 8 may be too nervous to sit without a parent especially when they have never flown before.

Being on a family vacation doesn't mean I need to spend every waking second with my kids. And sitting on a plane with them doesn't mean we are interacting with each other, either. My kids are capable of entertaining themselves and they've known from a very young age how to behave on a plane. My son at 8 (only last year) would have been fine seated away from us. Then again, they know when we're on a plane NOT to bother me unless there is a very good reason. I pull out my kindle, ipod and blanket, and go into my zone.

 

[lan3]

I actually find this interesting as not too long ago we were told you had to sit in the seat you were assigned and could not changes seats due to the flight manifest. What happens should said plane crash and victims can't quickly be identified so they go off of the manifest and notify the families of those listed on the manifest of the deaths?? I guarantee there would be one heck of a lawsuit if the survivor's family was misinformed of his death because a flight attendant made him/her change seats.

I never sit in my assigned seats. I get assigned seats for my family and we sit wherever amongst the seats we booked. Nobody made sure the right person was in each seat. I am sure they would use other methods of confirming survivors.

 

[Mickeypooh99]

Its funny after being away from the boards for a year or so to come back and see this thread again. People are so worried about someone getting one up on them. Yes you are right..no one is entitled to have their seat assignments honored..nor are they entitled to have someone move so they can sit with their young child.

But we as a community should feel a slight obligation to help others if we are able just to make everyones life experience a little more pleasant. If someone is in distress and we are able to offer a something to help relieve that distress then isn't it just the "nice thing to do".

Just for the record, I would change my seat if it meant a scared child could sit with their mother..I also offer my seat on buses to just boarding mothers holding babies or elderly..or anyone that seems to be having more difficulty than I with the situation. It makes me feel nice. You should try it.

Can't we all just get along.

I'll probably log in in a year or so and have to post the same thing again.

It is nice to see this post! I also would give up my seat so a child could sit with his family. Why wouldn't I do what I can to make someone else comfortable with very little effort on my part. Every child is different. My 10 year old would be scared to sit alone on a plane, while my 9 year old would probably not mind at all.

We were on a flight to Orlando one time when the plane was switched, and everyones seats were changed around. There was a man probably around 50 years old who was throwing a fit because he couldn't sit next to his wife! He kept saying how it was his birthday, and being very rude about it. The flight attendents were asking everyone if anyone would switch so he could sit next to his wife. They did end up next to eachother and he was sitting next to me. He then ignored his wife for the entire flight. He talked my ear off while I was trying to read, and then spilled his drink on me. Now that bothered me!

Every flight I have ever been on the flight attendents are asking people to move around for some reason or another. I don't think it is that big of a deal.

 

[ccgirl]

It is nice to see this post! I also would give up my seat so a child could sit with his family. Why wouldn't I do what I can to make someone else comfortable with very little effort on my part. Every child is different. My 10 year old would be scared to sit alone on a plane, while my 9 year old would probably not mind at all.

We were on a flight to Orlando one time when the plane was switched, and everyones seats were changed around. There was a man probably around 50 years old who was throwing a fit because he couldn't sit next to his wife! He kept saying how it was his birthday, and being very rude about it. The flight attendents were asking everyone if anyone would switch so he could sit next to his wife. They did end up next to eachother and he was sitting next to me. He then ignored his wife for the entire flight. He talked my ear off while I was trying to read, and then spilled his drink on me. Now that bothered me!

Every flight I have ever been on the flight attendents are asking people to move around for some reason or another. I don't think it is that big of a deal.

Why should it matter what age someone is? Usually most people want to sit next to those in their travelling party. Age should not trump anything. Everyone should be treated equally, IMHO.

 

[Mickeypooh99]

Why should it matter what age someone is? Usually most people want to sit next to those in their travelling party. Age should not trump anything. Everyone should be treated equally, IMHO.

It didn't matter what age he was. It mattered that he was rude about it. He was demanding, not askind politely. Then when he got to sit next to his wife he ignored her. He kept talking to me when I was trying to read, and he spilled his drink on me. My pants were soaked, and I had to sit there wet until the end of the flight.

 

[ccgirl]

It didn't matter what age he was. It mattered that he was rude about it. He was demanding, not askind politely. Then when he got to sit next to his wife he ignored her. He kept talking to me when I was trying to read, and he spilled his drink on me. My pants were soaked, and I had to sit there wet until the end of the flight.

Right...that is my point. Ask nicely, don't expect prefferential treatment. This is a general statement, not directed to you. In my experience, the parents that did need seats moved were very demanding and rude to gate attendants and passengers alike. Demanding to be seated next to their children that they cannot possibly separate a child from a parent (even if said child was 8 years old). Most times, the child plays by themselves or watches their portable DVD player and doesn' really interact with the parent either. It goes both ways.

 

[dzorn]

I actually find this interesting as not too long ago we were told you had to sit in the seat you were assigned and could not changes seats due to the flight manifest. What happens should said plane crash and victims can't quickly be identified so they go off of the manifest and notify the families of those listed on the manifest of the deaths?? I guarantee there would be one heck of a lawsuit if the survivor's family was misinformed of his death because a flight attendant made him/her change seats.

The fact that they notified someone had died with out identifying the body is just silly. They don't go on seat assignments.

Our family moves around all the time as long as we are in the seats assigned to our group no one cares.

Denise in MI