Flying with a toddler...seating on one airline is not together

[Tozzie]

Im glad you asked because I didn't consider having to change checked luggage, I never had to in the past. I should have the conf today so plan on calling and asking if I can upgrade or what we can do. I have 2 layovers one 1 hr 36 mins and the other is only 30 mins which is pushing it. Im not sure yet which one the seats are different.
I know it will work out and willing to pay for upgrade, Im positive someone will switch me under the circumstances and if I have rude people that refuse I wouldn't take that flight and walk off. Taking some pixie dust with so everything will work out

The bolded is why these threads get heated and go off kilter, you knowingly booked a flight where there weren't seats where you could sit with your child so because you knowingly did this other people are rude because they won't switch? Wow just wow. Entitled much?

 

[abbydancer]

I think it should be fine. There are always people willing to move, especially if you don't ask them to change the type of seat. The only way it might be harder if you both are in middle seats - I switch willingly for the same type of seat most of the time, but would not go into a middle. (And now I stay on the right side of the plane, but that's because I have hearing loss in my right ear and prefer to keep it against the window - I can actually hear the flight attendant if my left ear is to them).

If you both have middles, I'm sure someone will switch because of your son's age and the flight attendants will probably give that nice person a drink (I've seen that happen).

 

[Gracie09]

The bolded is why these threads get heated and go off kilter, you knowingly booked a flight where there weren't seats where you could sit with your child so because you knowingly did this other people are rude because they won't switch? Wow just wow. Entitled much?

Seriously. You are knowingly getting on a flight where you are seated away from your small child. You are expecting people who may have booked their seats months in advances, choosing those seats for a specific reason (near their traveling party, near the front/back whatever) and they are rude because they planned ahead and took care of their own personal business. Wow, just wow.

 

[gwynne]

Im glad you asked because I didn't consider having to change checked luggage, I never had to in the past. I should have the conf today so plan on calling and asking if I can upgrade or what we can do. I have 2 layovers one 1 hr 36 mins and the other is only 30 mins which is pushing it. Im not sure yet which one the seats are different.
I know it will work out and willing to pay for upgrade, Im positive someone will switch me under the circumstances and if I have rude people that refuse I wouldn't take that flight and walk off. Taking some pixie dust with so everything will work out

30 minute connections, these days, are very, very challenging. You will want to be organized to the hilt as you exit the jetway and hurry to your next gate.

I would hope that the airline could assist you with seats from a few that may have been blocked.
Other passengers may have planned ahead and selected their seats weeks/months ago. That doesn't make them rude.

 

[PlutoPony]

Question having never booked through Orbitz......

Orbitz owns the reservation and thus if you need assistance before the flight, need to make a change etc. you have to deal with Orbitz not the airline. But if you miss a connecting flight can you deal directly with the airline to get rebooked or do you still need to work through Orbitz to be accommodated? If both flights were the same airline I wouldn't be too concerned but the 2 different airlines and 2 different confirmation #'s makes me wonder how this would work.

You might want to make sure you know what to do and who to contact in case the 30 minutes connection goes south.....

Also, what airport is the tight connection in?

 

[EJM]

As far as the seating goes, I would just like to reiterate what others have said. Make sure all your seats aren't middles throughout the plane. It will make it much easier to find someone to switch with.

To add a (what I find) funny story about switching seats for people. I have always switched into a middle seat to get a family together. Each time I do, I tell my self this is the last time. The last time I was asked was on a trip from the east coast to California. As I give up my aisle seat and settle into my new middle seat for the 5 1/2 hour flight across the country the woman next to me starts coughing then looks over and comments how miserable it is to fly with the flu. I set my head back, smile and tell myself this really is the last time I switch into a middle seat.

As far as not getting on the plane without seats together, that's always a prerogative. I would just add that a gate agent would most likely switch you if they can. But, they can't force someone to give up their seat just to get yours together. This path might only get you on a standby list for a later flight. With a smaller chance of having seats together.

My real concern would be checked bags while switching airlines. I fly a lot and am not sure how that will work at all. From the mention of different conformation numbers for the different airlines it makes me think the OP will be responsible for picking those up at baggage claim and rechecking them with the new airline. Depending on the city and crowd levels 1:30 would not be enough time. I just hope your still friends after this trip.

 

[DopeyDame]

Seriously. You are knowingly getting on a flight where you are seated away from your small child. You are expecting people who may have booked their seats months in advances, choosing those seats for a specific reason (near their traveling party, near the front/back whatever) and they are rude because they planned ahead and took care of their own personal business. Wow, just wow.

I didn't read it that she thought a person was rude because they don't switch, but that if someone is rude while refusing to switch, she would just shake it off so wasn't worried about that ruining her trip.

Scenario #1: "Would you mind switching with me so I can sit next to my toddler?" "I'm so sorry, I would love to help, but I'm not able to switch. Good luck!"
That's not rude at all.

Scenario #2: "Would you mind switching with me so I can sit next to my toddler?" "No! you knowingly booked a flight where there weren't seats where you could sit with your child...? Wow just wow. Entitled much?"
That's rude.

OP, like others have said, call the airline and see what they can do. Depending on the current load, they may be able to take care of it now. If not, get to the airport early and speak to them then. And if all else fails, odds are that at least one person of the 100+ people on the plane will take pity on you and help you out.

 

[gwynne]

I didn't read it that she thought a person was rude because they don't switch, but that if someone is rude while refusing to switch, she would just shake it off so wasn't worried about that ruining her trip.

Scenario #1: "Would you mind switching with me so I can sit next to my toddler?" "I'm so sorry, I would love to help, but I'm not able to switch. Good luck!"
That's not rude at all.

Scenario #2: "Would you mind switching with me so I can sit next to my toddler?" "No! you knowingly booked a flight where there weren't seats where you could sit with your child...? Wow just wow. Entitled much?"
That's rude.

OP, like others have said, call the airline and see what they can do. Depending on the current load, they may be able to take care of it now. If not, get to the airport early and speak to them then. And if all else fails, odds are that at least one person of the 100+ people on the plane will take pity on you and help you out.

JMO, I'm not a big fan of folks asking other passengers to move. If someone has a seating issue, I'd assume they will get to the airport plenty early. If the gate agent can't help them, maybe it's best if they talk to the flight attendant when they board. Let the flight attendant help them solve the problem.
These days a number of passengers pay to board early or be seated in a preferred area.

Infrequent flyers who select flights that are nearly booked (don't have two seats together left) might be totally unaware of this. Of course, the airline will have likely blocked some seats. Hopefully OP will be able to get the seating issue worked out either ahead of time, at check in or at the gate.

 

[nkereina]

JMO, I'm not a big fan of folks asking other passengers to move. If someone has a seating issue, I'd assume they will get to the airport plenty early. If the gate agent can't help them, maybe it's best if they talk to the flight attendant when they board. Let the flight attendant help them solve the problem.
These days a number of passengers pay to board early or be seated in a preferred area.

Infrequent flyers who select flights that are nearly booked (don't have two seats together left) might be totally unaware of this. Of course, the airline will have likely blocked some seats. Hopefully OP will be able to get the seating issue worked out either ahead of time, at check in or at the gate.

Agree!! But at the same time, I think I'd rather sit in the last row of the plane in the middle seat than sit next to an unattended 2 year old. I'd probably switch. You may also have an easier time with this if your flights are short.

But I agree with PPs in that you should exhaust all other options before relying on a fellow passengers to move. Try paying to upgrade, if not available call the airline, if that doesn't work then visit the gate agent when you get there.

 

[crazydaisy00]

The 30 min connection is Denver! Im not sure how Orbitz works but after looking at the confirmation I switch from US Airways to United in Boston and have 2 hr 15 min to change so if I do have to get luggage I should have plenty of time!

I had a chance to look over itinerary and modify seats on the flight we were apart. There were open seats available next to each other so this is taken care of .

I understand that people book flights in advance as I normally would but spur of the moment trips happen in my world! I also would not have selected this flight unless I was able to book 2 seats together. My friend booked for us and I just went by the message she left which was 1 flight had seats apart.....etc.... so my post was to ask for experience in this situation. I knew the select few would pick it apart and post but thank you to all your helpful posts. This is why I posted because I do appreciate your input!

I do not feel entitled that anyone should switch seats, they have every right to their preferred seats and to be with their family as well. I understand some people might be in the same situation or have a good reason to not move. I personally would give up my seats if I was able to and was just flying with DH or solo, I would be happy to help another mom out even if I booked months in advance. The "rude" comment was meant for someone who just simply wouldn't move and no matter what seat they had they were just the type of person who wouldn't go out of their way for anyone at any time. Im sure a lot of you understood that's what I meant. I guess I was just thinking if this is the case I wouldn't want to sit next to someone like that anyway and again would get off the flight before I was not with my 2 year old. WOW...I just spent way too much time on a topic lol

I'm happy to say I'm ready take my 2 year old on a trip to see some awesome friends! We are packed and excited to see the Redwoods, Pacific Coast and the Hot Springs

 

[DebbieB]

You don't have to get the luggage when connecting from USAirways to United. They have interline agreements, which means they move the luggage.

I flew from Pittsburgh to Washington Dulles to Frankfurt Germany on United and then connected to Lufthansa to go to India. The luggage was transferred without a problem.

Glad you got the seating problem fixed.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

You don't have to get the luggage when connecting from USAirways to United. They have interline agreements, which means they move the luggage.

I flew from Pittsburgh to Washington Dulles to Frankfurt Germany on United and then connected to Lufthansa to go to India. The luggage was transferred without a problem.

Glad you got the seating problem fixed.

United and Lufthansa are both part of the Star Alliance. US Airways is not.

 

[crazydaisy00]

You don't have to get the luggage when connecting from USAirways to United. They have interline agreements, which means they move the luggage.

I flew from Pittsburgh to Washington Dulles to Frankfurt Germany on United and then connected to Lufthansa to go to India. The luggage was transferred without a problem.

Glad you got the seating problem fixed.

Thank You!!

 

[DebbieB]

United and Lufthansa are both part of the Star Alliance. US Airways is not.

They still have interline agreements, as long as it is booked under 1 ticket. I would call USAirways to verify they will transfer the luggage.

If you have separate tickets, then they will not transfer.