Help! 3 yr old not seated w/us on plane!

[funcinderella]

This happened to us on Delta song when it was around. Thing was, we had booked early and had seats together, but they canceled our flight and moved us to another one. I have twins who were 3 at the time, and they basically did nothing for us. There were 5 adults and 2 kids and we were all scattered around the plane. The kids, once in their seat, kept trying to turn around and call to us (I was trying to keep them still but what can you do?) One person offered to move, and then someone else asked their seatmate, would you please switch with them? So the kids ended up together with my MOm, but only by the passengers' doing. I don't think they were happy about it, so it was a bit uncomfortable, but Delta's fault, and they did nothing to try to help. Hopefully, one of those rows you are in will have 2 people that are travelling together, one will take the middle seat and give you an aisle to trade for. I know we always book an aisle and window, in the hopes that noone will take that middle seat; if they do, we always switch with them.

To those who mentioned not booking when you saw the seats, I don't think you can see what seats are available until after you have booked (I believe). So can't really blame the OP there...

ETA: at 24 hours some people might try to snag the exit row seats and open up some seats for you...

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

We are in three middle seats.

That's going to complicate things. However, as someone already stated, if she's in a car seat (which personally, I wouldn't take on a plane for a 3 year old), they will have to change her seat, as she needs to be by the window.

I wouldn't worry too much. It's likely seats which show on the seat map as taken really are being held by the airlines and not yet released. Call Delta, and if that doesn't work, keep checking the seat map. Something is bound to open up.

Doing anything like that [previous poster wrote, ]Tell your DD. "Don't worry sweetie, Mommy is right behind you. I might be sleeping or have my headphones on, so if you need me, make sure you cry really loud this way I hear you. Also, here is your vomit bag. would ensure that my butt (which would have otherwise likely moved) would stay firmly in my assigned seat. And my noise canceling headphones and eye shades would be on, before the mom even left the area.

I agree. Someone always posts nonsense like this when the issue of families separated on planes comes up. I would not move if someone tried this stunt with me, unless I was being moved up a class!

And sadly, noise canceling headphones do not block out sound.

 

[Lewisc]

Delta lets you view available seats before you make your reservation. I don't know if it was Delta's fault your original flight was cancelled. You had the option of either accepting scattered seats or asking for a later flight. It wasn't really Delta's fault that there weren't any seats together available for assigning. Asked nicely and there is a good chance a passenger will move so a parent can sit next to a young child.

This happened to us on Delta song when it was around. Thing was, we had booked early and had seats together, but they canceled our flight and moved us to another one. I have twins who were 3 at the time, and they basically did nothing for us. There were 5 adults and 2 kids and we were all scattered around the plane. The kids, once in their seat, kept trying to turn around and call to us (I was trying to keep them still but what can you do?) One person offered to move, and then someone else asked their seatmate, would you please switch with them? So the kids ended up together with my MOm, but only by the passengers' doing. I don't think they were happy about it, so it was a bit uncomfortable, but Delta's fault, and they did nothing to try to help. Hopefully, one of those rows you are in will have 2 people that are travelling together, one will take the middle seat and give you an aisle to trade for. I know we always book an aisle and window, in the hopes that noone will take that middle seat; if they do, we always switch with them.

To those who mentioned not booking when you saw the seats, I don't think you can see what seats are available until after you have booked (I believe). So can't really blame the OP there...

ETA: at 24 hours some people might try to snag the exit row seats and open up some seats for you...

 

[kjs1976]

She has to be in a car seat because of her size. Plus, she sits better and is more comfortable in one.

To whoever said that they wouldn't book a flight were the family wasn't together, well we could've booked a super early flight or super late one and neither one would've worked for us. I didn't think about checking seat availability until after I booked. I've never had an issue with not getting at least two seats together, but it didn't occur to me, even with it being around Spring Break. So I will call today and see what happens and update later.

 

[ccgirl]

We just snagged a great deal on Delta to Orlando Easter Sunday through the following Wed. Quick little sunny getaway! On the way home, the plane is pretty much full. The only seats I could get for the three of us, me DH and DD 3, were in three rows, in a row. How is the best way for me to approach this before the flight or at the gate to get at least one of us together with my 3 year old daughter? THANKS!

Question...if you knew the seats were not together why did you book? I'm always surprised by this. Personally, I would find a flight that could sit us together. I would never think about displacing others that picked certain seats so myself and my child could sit together when the seats weren't together to start with.

I would ask nicely for someone to switch with you to sit next to your DD but I would not assume you would be able to.

 

[ccgirl]

She has to be in a car seat because of her size. Plus, she sits better and is more comfortable in one.

To whoever said that they wouldn't book a flight were the family wasn't together, well we could've booked a super early flight or super late one and neither one would've worked for us. I didn't think about checking seat availability until after I booked. I've never had an issue with not getting at least two seats together, but it didn't occur to me, even with it being around Spring Break. So I will call today and see what happens and update later.

Doesn't look like this flight works either since you are not sitting next to your child. Why wouldnt' the early or late flight work? I'm thinking it probably would have worked just fine, it would not have been as convenient though.

They will not let car seats in the middle aisle as they would impede the window seat from getting out in case of an emergency. If I were you, I would call Delta and ask them to switch you to one of their other flights that had seating availability that you need.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I didn't think about checking seat availability until after I booked.

I always check seat availability before booking. I have changed my mind about flights when I have seen only middle seats are left!

 

[BellePrincessBelle]

Doesn't look like this flight works either since you are not sitting next to your child. Why wouldnt' the early or late flight work? I'm thinking it probably would have worked just fine, it would not have been as convenient though.

They will not let car seats in the middle aisle as they would impede the window seat from getting out in case of an emergency. If I were you, I would call Delta and ask them to switch you to one of their other flights that had seating availability that you need.

She does not need to reschedule her flight. Delta will reassign the seats so that the child is in the window & either mother or father in the middle. Even if they won't over the phone the gate agent will. They do not have a choice.

 

[maxiesmom]

The airlines are very good at working with this. My DD8 and I have had this happen several times over the years. Delta is one of the best at handling it. We have never had to sit apart. The gate agent will help you with this if you can't get it changed beforehand.

We've had gate agents ask single travelers if they'd mind changing. We've also had flight attendants make the change. This same situation occurs if you book seats at an exit row and are traveling with a small child. You will be moved.

I have to say that is so NOT the experience I had with Delta last year over Spring Break.

I flew round trip to WDW as a solo, because my nephew was performing with his school orchestra, and I just had to be a good aunt and go see him. Anyway, the flight home was a mess. When I arrived at the gate another flyer told me they were rearranging everyone, and that I needed to talk to the gate agent. I had no problem there, and got my seat assignment.

Once on board the plane though, it was clear there were issues! They had multiple people assigned to the same seats. They had families scattered all over the plane, and they were way overbooked. I thought one guy was going to get kicked off of the plane for the way he was yelling at the FAs about the seating screw ups. The FAs told everyone to take their seats, and once we were at altitude people could see about switching seats, but we were taking off now!

I was just happy I still had the aisle seat I requested, as I get clausterphobic if I have to sit in the middle or window seat by people I don't know. I did have one lady ask me to switch with her, as it was her 2 daughters I was sitting next to. She was kind enough to offer me her middle seat towards the back of the plane.Sorry, nope. Funny thing was, she was so admant that she needed to be by her girls that the person in the middle seat in front of us switched with her. You know how much time she spent checking on her girls? None. Her arm came across the back of the seat with snacks twice. That was all the checking she needed to do.

 

[connorlevismom]

The one thing you have going for you is that your on a plane with a lot of people from MN or around it. I cannot imagine not switching seats for a mom who wanted to sit by her little one. As yes, ask nicely. Which I know you will do because you are from MN and most of us are not rude people.
You will be fine.

 

[maxiesmom]

If none of those approaches work, and people won't switch, then try this.

Tell your DD. "Don't worry sweetie, Mommy is right behind you. I might be sleeping or have my headphones on, so if you need me, make sure you cry really loud this way I hear you. Also, here is your vomit bag. If you feel sick, make sure you try to use it. I'm sure this nice man next to you will be happy to help you open it. If you can't get to the bag in time, don't worry. Mommy will come and help clean it up, just try not to get it on the man"

I think you are kidding.I really hope you are kidding. But some people would actually do that. My response to that kind of tactic would probably be "And I hope you are not riddled by parental guilt because you knew ahead of time you were not sitting by your child, and yet put your own comfort ahead of their own. Have fun listening to your child screaming for you when you are not allowed out of your seat." I would actually do what I could to comfort the child, but I wouldn't want the parent to know that ahead of time. I would want them to think I was the biggest B on the face of the earth, and hope they would learn a lesson.

 

[keishashadow]

If none of those approaches work, and people won't switch, then try this.

Tell your DD. "Don't worry sweetie, Mommy is right behind you. I might be sleeping or have my headphones on, so if you need me, make sure you cry really loud this way I hear you. Also, here is your vomit bag. If you feel sick, make sure you try to use it. I'm sure this nice man next to you will be happy to help you open it. If you can't get to the bag in time, don't worry. Mommy will come and help clean it up, just try not to get it on the man"

Did it ever occur to you that the 'nice man' next to the child made sure to pay to to have his seat next to his traveling companion who (not visible to the naked eye) may have need for him sitting beside them? There are many white knuckle flyers (no matter how many times we have flown) who would be quite anxious without a family member or friend beside us.

Reasonable to state that if it's important enough that you must be seated with somebody, pay for it!

Doesn't look like this flight works either since you are not sitting next to your child. Why wouldnt' the early or late flight work? I'm thinking it probably would have worked just fine, it would not have been as convenient though.

They will not let car seats in the middle aisle as they would impede the window seat from getting out in case of an emergency. If I were you, I would call Delta and ask them to switch you to one of their other flights that had seating availability that you need.

agree, need to decide if it's a 'want' or a 'need'...if an absolute need, then prioritize plans & take the earlier or later flight to insure the need is met.

 

[goofy4tink]

If none of those approaches work, and people won't switch, then try this.

Tell your DD. "Don't worry sweetie, Mommy is right behind you. I might be sleeping or have my headphones on, so if you need me, make sure you cry really loud this way I hear you. Also, here is your vomit bag. If you feel sick, make sure you try to use it. I'm sure this nice man next to you will be happy to help you open it. If you can't get to the bag in time, don't worry. Mommy will come and help clean it up, just try not to get it on the man"

Not helpful at all. Future posts like this will be deleted.

This happened to us on Delta song when it was around. Thing was, we had booked early and had seats together, but they canceled our flight and moved us to another one. I have twins who were 3 at the time, and they basically did nothing for us. There were 5 adults and 2 kids and we were all scattered around the plane. The kids, once in their seat, kept trying to turn around and call to us (I was trying to keep them still but what can you do?) One person offered to move, and then someone else asked their seatmate, would you please switch with them? So the kids ended up together with my MOm, but only by the passengers' doing. I don't think they were happy about it, so it was a bit uncomfortable, but Delta's fault, and they did nothing to try to help. Hopefully, one of those rows you are in will have 2 people that are travelling together, one will take the middle seat and give you an aisle to trade for. I know we always book an aisle and window, in the hopes that noone will take that middle seat; if they do, we always switch with them.

To those who mentioned not booking when you saw the seats, I don't think you can see what seats are available until after you have booked (I believe). So can't really blame the OP there...

ETA: at 24 hours some people might try to snag the exit row seats and open up some seats for you...

Yes, you can see available seats with Delta before booking. I just checked flights for Dec and was able to view the available seats with no problem.

Here's the problem people. Yes, most airlines allow you to choose your seats when booking. But, they do not promise that you will be in those seats, or even on that particular flight when departure time comes. They promise only to get you to your destination on that particular day. Sure, you 'bought' a certain flight and you chose your seats, but how many of you have actually read the 'fine print' in the contract of carriage??? The airlines can pretty much do whatever they want to do. Almost every single time I have flown on Delta, my flight times have changed, I have had flights cancelled and been put on a plane that was way overbooked. I have had my seats changed when the flight changed by 15 mins.

This is the big reason I tend to chose SW if I can. I get on the plane, and choose my seat then. So much easier. But, people still think that's an awful way to fly. Not me...works quite nicely as far as I"m concerned. And they don't cancel or change flights all the time either.


To the OP...get to the gate really early if your seat status is the same on departure day. The gate agent should be able to help you. Your dd won't be allowed to be in a middle seat with a car seat...they will have to move someone in a window seat so as to accomodate the car seat. But...be prepared to upset that passenger. They booked early enough to choose the seat they wanted...now, they are going to have to take one of those undesirable middle seats. Not going to make them happy. There is a reason you got such a good deal on the flight....only middle seats available. I would love it if Delta gave the person they were moving something tangible for their displeasure...maybe credits for another flight, or free drinks..whatever.

 

[ccgirl]

She does not need to reschedule her flight. Delta will reassign the seats so that the child is in the window & either mother or father in the middle. Even if they won't over the phone the gate agent will. They do not have a choice.

So, Delta will move a person who purposely chose a window seat and move them to the middle seat so a mom could sit next to her child when she booked a flight that did not have two seats together to begin with? I would be pissed if that was me. I am claustrophobic and either I need a window to look out or an aisle seat. I purposely book those seats. If none are available, I search for a flight that does. It may not be my preferred time but seats are important to me. What if the person the airline moved was petrified to fly and was sitting next to her husband in order to make her safe?

Personally, I would feel very guilty having an airline displace other passengers because I booked a flight that did not have two seats together to begin with. I wouldn't do it but I guess I'm crazy like that. Mistakes by the airlines is one thing but in this case, the mom didn't bother to ensure there were two seats together to begin with. No error on the airlines at all.

 

[seashoreCM]

Tell your DD. "Don't worry sweetie, Mommy is ...

Don't say it; don't say anything. Just seat your kid for now, FAA approved car seat, coloring book, and all if applicable. (Don't talk about any of the items.) Then come back after the seat back sign goes off to check on him, actually take him to the rest room, etc.

Flight attendants can get a lot more cooperation regarding seat changing by offering bribes, some of them very inexpensive, some of them costing nothing although being ridiculous or sublime. In ex-Disneyspeak that would be called pampering the passenger. In Flyertalkspeak that would be called kissing his --- in addition to being ready to save his ---.

If you do agree to change seats, you may leave your carryon in an overhead bin where it was rather than find no space above your new seat location.

 

[NotUrsula]

As long as you will be using a carseat on board, Delta MUST allot you two contiguous seats so that you can take responsibility for removing your child from the carseat in the event of an emergency evacuation. This is federal law and the airline will have no choice. You won't get three contiguous seats, but you will get two. (Be prepared for the possibility that airline personnel will try to tell you that you cannot use a carseat since you don't have contiguous seats; it's common to try to eliminate the issue by getting you to just check the carseat. Don't back down -- if your child has a purchased seat and you have a certified carseat to put in it, the airline is legally required to accomodate it if you wish to use it.)

Call Delta now and explain that your daughter will be using a carseat on board the flight. They should have a pair of seats somewhere that they can release for you, and if they don't, plan to get to the airport early, because you'll need to apprise the gate agent of the situation as soon as possible. They may tell you over the phone that you'll be able to switch seats by calling at the 24 hour mark; they do this because they want to hold any available premium seats for status fliers, who will be able to see them at 24 hours out. If you don't have status you will not be able to see those seats online yourself at that time. If the flight really is fully-booked, what will happen is that the status passengers will be offered day-of-departure upgrades in order to clear a pair of seats for you and your child. If THAT fails (it doesn't often), then some low-status window passenger is going to get forced to an open middle in another row in order to accomodate your carseat in a legal position. (This is the ONE situation where an FA is legally empowered to force a passenger to move fromi an assigned seat for another passenger. They really HATE doing it, and will usually offer all kinds of bribes to get someone to volunteer instead.)

The reason that the deal was so good was that there were no open seats left except for single middles. The major carriers will all cut prices once the seating situation gets to that point -- it is the best way to get those middle seats sold. Almost everyone who buys one will try to get out of them. It's just a fact of life that not everyone will be able to.

 

[crashbb]

So, Delta will move a person who purposely chose a window seat and move them to the middle seat so a mom could sit next to her child when she booked a flight that did not have two seats together to begin with? I would be pissed if that was me. I am claustrophobic and either I need a window to look out or an aisle seat. I purposely book those seats. If none are available, I search for a flight that does. It may not be my preferred time but seats are important to me. What if the person the airline moved was petrified to fly and was sitting next to her husband in order to make her safe?

Personally, I would feel very guilty having an airline displace other passengers because I booked a flight that did not have two seats together to begin with. I wouldn't do it but I guess I'm crazy like that. Mistakes by the airlines is one thing but in this case, the mom didn't bother to ensure there were two seats together to begin with. No error on the airlines at all.

I've seen airlines tell a parent and child that they'd need to take the next flights, because there were no available seats that suited their needs (i.e. a window and middle). It was an airline that charges for seat selection and the mother and choosen not to pay (I was dealing with a separate issue at the gate, so I overheard the whole thing).



I

 

[goofy4tink]

So, Delta will move a person who purposely chose a window seat and move them to the middle seat so a mom could sit next to her child when she booked a flight that did not have two seats together to begin with? I would be pissed if that was me. I am claustrophobic and either I need a window to look out or an aisle seat. I purposely book those seats. If none are available, I search for a flight that does. It may not be my preferred time but seats are important to me. What if the person the airline moved was petrified to fly and was sitting next to her husband in order to make her safe?

Personally, I would feel very guilty having an airline displace other passengers because I booked a flight that did not have two seats together to begin with. I wouldn't do it but I guess I'm crazy like that. Mistakes by the airlines is one thing but in this case, the mom didn't bother to ensure there were two seats together to begin with. No error on the airlines at all.

Generally speaking, they will try to find available seats together when the OP gets to the gate. Then, if nothing is available, they will ask for someone in one of those adjoining seats to move. Then, they will ask if there are any couples flying together, with one window seat, that would agree to change seats and not fly together.
Now, does this make it right? Nope. I would also be somewhat upset if I had booked the window seat and I was told I would have to move. I would be sure that my displeasure was noted by the FA, and then I would document it all when I wrote my letter to Delta. This would also be when I told them that I would be flying another airline from that point on.

Was the OP right in booking those seats? Not if she expected that Delta would do something about it for her automatically. My issue is that there us a child flying...in a car seat. I have to wonder if Delta would be within it's rights to have the parents check the car seat and then have the child be able to sit in any seat configuration....a parent in the middle, child on the aisle or reverse. That would negate the whole car seat in the window seat issue.

 

[crashbb]

Don't say it; don't say anything. Just seat your kid for now, FAA approved car seat, coloring book, and all if applicable. (Don't talk about any of the items.) Then come back after the seat back sign goes off to check on him.

Flight attendants can get a lot more cooperation regarding seat changing by offering bribes, some of them very inexpensive, some of them costing nothing although being ridiculous or sublime. In ex-Disneyspeak that would be called pampering the passenger. In Flyertalkspeak that would be called kissing his --- in addition to being ready to save his ---.

If you do agree to change seats, you may leave your carryon in an overhead bin where it was rather than find no space above your new seat location.

If you tried for years, I don't think you could possible have given WORSE advice.

First, you cannot install a car seat in a middle seat (which is what the child currently has). So, if you are suggesting installing the car seat in the window seat, you are suggesting that she install the car seat in someone else's seat - a really, really bad idea.

Secondly, by installing the car seat, you are making things difficult for everyone, since you now have only one possible solution (the person in that seat is going to have to move). By resolving things BEFORE installing the car seat, you leave many more options (perhaps the person in the row the mom is in, would be willing to move to the row the child was supposed to be in, for example).

 

[NotUrsula]

I've seen airlines tell a parent and child that they'd need to take the next flights, because there were no available seats that suited their needs (i.e. a window and middle). It was an airline that charges for seat selection and the mother and choosen not to pay (I was dealing with a separate issue at the gate, so I overheard the whole thing).

And that airline was breaking the law. It does not matter whether or not they charge for seat selection. The law states that if the passenger has paid for a berth and wishes to use a certified carseat in that berth for a child who fits in the carseat per mfr. recommendations, then the parent gets a pair of seats to accomodate the regulations re: emergency egress.

If the passenger who gets bumped out of his seat has paid to choose that seat, then the airline can choose to compensate that passenger in any manner that they wish, but but they CANNOT legally forcibly bump a paying child passenger just because that child's parent chooses to use a legal carseat on board.

From FAA Advisory circular 120-87A, referencing the US Code of Federal Regulations, sections as noted below (red emphasis is mine):

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10. REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS CONTAINED IN SECTIONS 91.107, 121.311, 125.211, AND 135.128, REGARDING THE USE OF CRS ON AIRCRAFT.
a.​

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[FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]During takeoff, landing, and movement on the surface, each person on board shall occupy an approved seat or berth with a separate safety belt properly secured about him/her. However, a person who has not reached his/her second birthday may be held by an adult occupying a seat or berth. ​

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b.​

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[FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]During takeoff, landing and movement on the surface, a child under the age of two may be held in an adult’s lap or be placed in a regular passenger seat and use a standard seatbelt. ​

[/FONT][/FONT]

c.​

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[FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]If a child occupies a CRS, a parent/guardian or attendant must accompany the child and the aircraft operator must comply with the requirements that the child is properly secured in the [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]CRS, the CRS is properly secured in a forward-facing seat, the child does not exceed the weight limits of the CRS, and the CRS is approved and has the proper labels or markings. ​

[/FONT][/FONT]

d.​

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[FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]No aircraft operator may permit a child to occupy a booster-type, vest-type, harness-type, or lap-held CRS during takeoff, landing, and movement on the surface, except when the CRS has been approved by the FAA through a TC, STC, TSO, or under § 21.305(d). Booster-type, vest-type, and harness-type CRS approved by the FAA through a TC, STC, TSO, or under § 21.305(d), may be used during all phases of flight. ​

[/FONT][/FONT]

e.​

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[FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]Under the provisions in parts 121, 125, and 135, no certificate holder may prohibit a child from using an approved CRS when the parent/guardian purchases a ticket for the child. (Certificate holders are encouraged to allow the use of empty seats to accommodate CRS. However, they are not required to allow unticketed children to occupy empty passenger seats, even if the child uses a CRS.) ​

[/FONT][/FONT]

f.​

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[FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]The regulations allow aircraft operators to provide approved CRSs for use. ​

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g.​

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[FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]The regulations allow aircraft operators to determine the most appropriate forward-facing passenger seat location for a CRS based on safe operating practices. ​

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