Don't expect the airline to re-seat people to accomodate your children...

[uva185]

This is an FYI for those who do not pre-select / pay for seats and just expect the airline to find adjacent seats for them at the airport. It does not always work out!

Do yourself a favor and pay the $12 (or whatever) seat selection fee if you want to be seated next to your children and avoid problems like the once referenced in the article below.

http://blogs.ajc.com/momania/2010/0...d-from-your-2-year-old/?cxntfid=blogs_momania

 

[Susiesnowflake]

I didn't read the whole article, but parents with young children definitely need to take some responsibility. I fly Southwest most often. I have begun paying the $10 to do EBCI but previously was online at my 24 hr mark to print my boarding pass. It amazes me to see the number of young families scrambling on the plane last minute. I'm making the assumption that they didn't do EBCI or print their boarding passes prior to coming to the airport and there are those that look like they just that minute arrived at the airport and scrambled to board before the plane took off. On a recent trip, a parent rushed on with 3 little ones in tow, while complaining that they'd probably not get a seat together. Who's fault was that? I felt only a wee bit insensitive when I decided I was not going to give up my seat at the front of the plane, if asked. Who knows what I would have actually done, if asked, but I had planned and paid that little extra to guarantee myself a seat of my choice. Many airlines allow you to choose your seat assignment, as soon as you make your reservation. We need to be responsible for ourselves and ask questions if something isn't clear. I'd definitely being doing that if I was flying with my little one.

 

[winterman]

Well said by the previous two posters. Also, if for no other reason than safety, all children so have their own seat, preferably car seat, and not in the lap of a parent. Just my thoughts from having experienced turbulent flights.

 

[DebbieB]

It doesn't say what the circumstances were. US doesn't charge for seat assignments, you can pick them when you make the reservation. You can purchase "choice seats" at web check-in if they haven't already been taken by preferred members. It's possible she made a late reservation and there were no seats left together. Or possibly her flights were changed and her new flights didn't have seats together. I woult not assume she was irresponsible.

 

[eliza61]

This is an FYI for those who do not pre-select / pay for seats and just expect the airline to find adjacent seats for them at the airport. It does not always work out!

Do yourself a favor and pay the $12 (or whatever) seat selection fee if you want to be seated next to your children and avoid problems like the once referenced in the article below.

http://blogs.ajc.com/momania/2010/0...d-from-your-2-year-old/?cxntfid=blogs_momania

Sorry I'm going with the airline here. Girlfriend had no idea she should have gotten seat assignment before getting on the plane. This is the result of the "special snowflake" syndrome. I have a kid, now every one should accomodate me because I have said kid. Unless you have your seat already assigned to you, seating is first come, first serve. If you have children, it's your responsibility not the airline to make sure they are travelling safely

 

[Anjelica]

As the mother of two children (3 year old and 6 year old) who has travelled with them on airplanes numerous times from the day they were very young I whole heartedly agree with the previous posters. I am there to look out for the best interest of my children, which includes sitting next to me on an airplane. I am darn sure to book early, pick my seats early or pay the extra fee to check-in early (and yes that includes ALL members of my family paying the extra fee to check-in).

Now I don't know of all the circumstances surrounding this particular incident in the article BUT I would hope all parents have due diligence when ensuring their young children sit near them while on a flight.

 

[bumbershoot]

For anyone who did NOT read the blog entry, you really have to. And the followups.

And the statement from the spokesperson in response to the article's author is enlightening as well. He says that if you book online, you can choose seats then. If it's not working, call and they will assign seats. If you've booked through an agency that doesn't allow you to choose seats, call US Airways asap so they can get you seats. And if you wait until you're at the airport, it's first come first served.

I'm thinkin' that she never contacted them and waited until she got to the airport.

And when she got her boarding passes, she says she noticed the "mistake", but waited until she got to the *gate* to say something about it. Why not at the ticket agent area????


And then she completely ignores the *helpful* FA who isn't a FA on that flight, and decides that she's being glared at. She's over-the-top concerned with being arrested. And even when the FA helps her, by moving someone to the emergency exit row (who maybe shouldn't have been there due to language barriers), she still thinks the FA is being rude.

And in the third update, she manages to change things over to sexism.


Two times I've booked the family completely separately from each other, for various reasons, on airlines with assigned seating. Both times, immediately, I called the airline and had them note that the one passenger (DS) must be connected to one of the other passengers (us). Both times it was incredibly simple. It hurts my brain that she waited until the *gate* to start asking questions about their seating assignments, and that she continues to call it an error...




Having read more of her blog, I'm so bummed that she is so weird on this issue, b/c she and I could REALLY get along in some other ways. Sigh.

 

[winterman]

I love the term "special snowflake", it is appropriate for this situation.

 

[lathamary]

I love the term "special snowflake", it is appropriate for this situation.

Me too

 

[casjen]

if the airline charges. I also make sure to book our seast online right away.

However, just this past weekend all of that didn't matter at all. We were flying USAir and at the last minute they changed the actual plane we were supposed to fly out on, and thus rearranged people's seats.

We were flying with my SIL's family so there were 9 of us in all, 4 adults and 5 children. When they shuffled everyone's seats they put the 9 of us into 6 exit row seats. 9 of us into 6 seats. WHAT!

So, just to recap, I had booked my seats ahead with my SIL so we were all together, and reconfirmed my assignment when I checked in. I am not a special snowflake.

When we gave our boarding passes it was then, and only then, they notified us of the seating issue. My SIL's family was already on the plane (traveling with a child under 3 in her own seat) and had no idea that we were all sharing 6 seats. I asked, very nicely, that all I wanted was for us to be 2 and 2 (one adult, one kid) anywhere on the plane. My SIL was already on and fending foe herself. Do you know what the gate agent told me? That it wasn't his issue and the FA would have to deal with it. Seriously? I know from past experience flipping out will do you no good so on we went to the plane.

The FA's were AMAZING. They immediately realized what the issue was and committed to keeping the 9 of us together. Which we told her was not necessary as long as each child had an adult with them. We reitterated, again, we would sit anywhere as long as each child had an adult with them.

She moved the adults who were in our seats to the exit rows (which they all agreed was fine, no one was upset) and the 3 people who were angry got a free upgrade to first class.

I agree this woman was not in my situation. But it is important to remember that when in that situation, not all of us with children are "special snowflakes". We follow protocol and sometimes things still go wrong. You can't fault me for wanting to sit with my 6 year old when I already reserved seats so we could.

You also can't fault my SIL for wanting to sit with her 8 year old with air sickness (who, poor guy, vomited all through take off and landing even with dramamine). Would you want to be responsible for him b/c the airline screwed up?

So, while I do not condone this woman or her behavior, sometimes we follow all the rules and things still go wrong. Take it out on the airline, they're in the wrong (although they were so wonderful once we were on the plane I have no issue with them)

 

[uva185]

We were flying with my SIL's family so there were 9 of us in all, 4 adults and 5 children. When they shuffled everyone's seats they put the 9 of us into 6 exit row seats. 9 of us into 6 seats. WHAT!

That's especially ridiculous since children under 15 are not allowed to sit in the Exit Row. I am glad you had a good flight attendant to help resolve your issue!

Was the gate agent in PHL by any chance?

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

if the airline charges. I also make sure to book our seast online right away.

However, just this past weekend all of that didn't matter at all. We were flying USAir and at the last minute they changed the actual plane we were supposed to fly out on, and thus rearranged people's seats.

We were flying with my SIL's family so there were 9 of us in all, 4 adults and 5 children. When they shuffled everyone's seats they put the 9 of us into 6 exit row seats. 9 of us into 6 seats. WHAT!

So, just to recap, I had booked my seats ahead with my SIL so we were all together, and reconfirmed my assignment when I checked in. I am not a special snowflake.

When we gave our boarding passes it was then, and only then, they notified us of the seating issue. My SIL's family was already on the plane (traveling with a child under 3 in her own seat) and had no idea that we were all sharing 6 seats. I asked, very nicely, that all I wanted was for us to be 2 and 2 (one adult, one kid) anywhere on the plane. My SIL was already on and fending foe herself. Do you know what the gate agent told me? That it wasn't his issue and the FA would have to deal with it. Seriously? I know from past experience flipping out will do you no good so on we went to the plane.

The FA's were AMAZING. They immediately realized what the issue was and committed to keeping the 9 of us together. Which we told her was not necessary as long as each child had an adult with them. We reitterated, again, we would sit anywhere as long as each child had an adult with them.

She moved the adults who were in our seats to the exit rows (which they all agreed was fine, no one was upset) and the 3 people who were angry got a free upgrade to first class.

I agree this woman was not in my situation. But it is important to remember that when in that situation, not all of us with children are "special snowflakes". We follow protocol and sometimes things still go wrong. You can't fault me for wanting to sit with my 6 year old when I already reserved seats so we could.

You also can't fault my SIL for wanting to sit with her 8 year old with air sickness (who, poor guy, vomited all through take off and landing even with dramamine). Would you want to be responsible for him b/c the airline screwed up?

So, while I do not condone this woman or her behavior, sometimes we follow all the rules and things still go wrong. Take it out on the airline, they're in the wrong (although they were so wonderful once we were on the plane I have no issue with them)

This is true too. We have flown SWA probably 15 times. I always check in online or by cell phone w/ SWA right at T-24. Last Jan we were flying home around 5pm and in the afternoon, Philly starting getting snow, only expecting a dusting, but enough to screw up flight schedules. All flights became delayed in a very short time and while at the gate we opted to give up our A-20-something BPs to switch to an earlier flight that was now leaving close to the time our flight was originally supposed to. Worth it since the kids had school the next day.
We got C passes and immediately agreed to split up. We each took a child and grabbed the 1st set of 2 empty seats we could find. We were several rows apart and I couldn't even see where dh was but we were still glad our kids weren't separated from us.

Maybe people looked at us "C boarders" like we were unprepared slackers but we know it's far from the truth.

This reminds me to recheck our seat assignments w/USAirways for our Nov flight home.
Each

 

[kaytieeldr]

And in the third update, she manages to change things over to sexism.

Meanwhile not seeing the irony (okay, offensiveness ) of continuing to call and refer to the Flight Attendant as a stewardess

Both times it was incredibly simple. It hurts my brain that she waited until the *gate* to start asking questions about their seating assignments, and that she continues to call it an error...

Ask? I didn't see that she asked anything. I see that she demanded - something to the effect of, "You people made a mistake. Fix it".

Brings to mind that scene from Overboard, where the butler is telling Goldie Hawn not to forget her earrings again. Imitating her character: "AnDREW! I seem to have lost my earrings somewhere between [pauses to blow on nails] 34th and... 38th Streets. Find them." (no, I don't think I've watched it too many times - I can't recite all the lines with all the characters - yet

 

[snowpixiemn]

I read that woman's whole blog (all 3) and she is ridiculous. Its called PLANNING. Anyone can do it and its not that hard to do well. Her blog about the sexism made me ashamed. It was so backwards, with her continuously calling the Flight Attendant a stewardess, it made me feel like she was living in the 1950s. Oh, but I guess it was okay because MS. CRAZY TRAIN put the line through stewardess, so then it doesn't count. Look if that crazy idiot put as much time into planning and double checking her and her family's seating arrangements before she gets to the airport as she does with her blog and rants, then she would have had seats next too her two traumatized children. IMO, she is the one that traumatized her own kids...with her stupidity and selfishness...not the flight attendant. I plan and I pay extra money for the seats I want and I don't care if ya'll flame me but there is no WAY in H-E-double hockey sticks that I would switch with that blasted self serving woman.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I've actually heard of situations where the Gate Agent intentionally seats minors - really young kids - in exit-row seats, as enticement to other passengers to change seats with the families!

 

[seashoreCM]

"Everyone" says it is not a good idea to try to get others to switch seats with your children by saying that your children tend to get airsick. But I would resist shelling out my own money to make good a bad situation that could have been prevented by my keeping more close control over my children, leaving it instead up to the airline to intervene.

As far as intentionally assigning children to exit row seats, for better or worse it tilts the probability of getting an exit row seat towards those who are lucky enough to be able to orchestrate a grand seat switch that juxtaposes the child with a parent.

 

[seashoreCM]

if We were flying USAir ... and ... were flying with my SIL's family so there were 9 of us in all, 4 adults and 5 children. When they shuffled everyone's seats they put the 9 of us into 6 exit row seats. 9 of us into 6 seats. WHAT!) ... and ... 3 people ... got a free upgrade to first class. )

Funny you mentioned US Air because it was on one of their flights (more than 10 years ago) that I was assigned to the same seat as someone else.

Not sure if an airline would ask for volunteers before picking someone out of coach to move to first class gratis but you described not only a mis-seating issue but also an overbooking issue.