Just venting - SWA - Seat Savers

[camandjacksmom]

I didn't say I thought that but that you should be ready for some difference of opinion.

Got it sorry! Yeah that's how these boards go if you don't agree with the OP you are a wrong and a horrible human being because there could never be two sides to an argument!

 

[DebbieB]

If seat savers would just move to the back half of the plane, there would be way less upset from the other passengers - and the saved seats would be a LOT easier to defend!

I totally agree.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

The man was annoyed because he had to sit next to children period and the fact they had to go to the restroom every 30 minutes!

Again my children come first in my world if they want to sit together then that's what they get!

Are your children special needs? If not, I am wondering why they would require the use of the washroom every 30 minutes while on the plane. I am guessing they are grades 2 and 6?

Your children might come first in the world *to you*, but on that plane, the seating rules apply equally to everyone. Perhaps another airline (with assigned seating) would be a better choice for your family in the future, to avoid any expectation issues about other passengers ensuring your kids get the opportunity to sit together and share a device.

 

[camandjacksmom]

Are your children special needs? If not, I am wondering why they would require the use of the washroom every 30 minutes while on the plane. I am guessing they are grades 2 and 6?

Your children might come first in the world *to you*, but on that plane, the seating rules apply equally to everyone. Perhaps another airline (with assigned seating) would be a better choice for your family in the future, to avoid any expectation issues about other passengers ensuring your kids get the opportunity to sit together and share a device.

Wow! Implying my kids are special needs because they go to the bathroom every 30 minutes is over the line! Kids get restless, nervous about flying which can cause their bladder to act crazy and drink fluids before they get on the plane! My kids did get the opportunity to sit together as I noted and they were perfectly happy the man who chose to sit by them was not. As I stated my kids are number one to me and I solved the problem by giving one of them my seat! But thanks for trying to insult me do you feel better about yourself?

 

[Gracie09]

We did check in at our 24 hour window and that's what we got! If you have EBCI you would never run into my family because we always board after you! Isn't the point of EBCI that you board before everyone else? I don't really follow your logic?? I would not expect you to move anywhere I would make it work for my family like I did in this situation! My kids could come sit with you and I could sit close by!

People pay for ebci for one member of their party who then true to save seats for the rest of the party. So if another family purchased ebci and was behind that person who tried to save seats and wanted those seats it could be a problem.

 

[smidgy]

Agreed.
And I really hope you got a second device. Or maybe bring a book for one of them the next time or something. The Percy Jackson series is quite good, in case they haven't gotten to it yet.

If you want to ensure you sit together, or your kids sit together, purchase EBCI for all members of your party. seat saving is not allowed.

the reason it was implied that the OP was a jerk was because she delighted in the "uncomfortableness" of the person who simply took a seat he paid for.

Most people on a plane encourage their children (and these children were old enough to know better) to "keep it down", and keep getting out of your seat to a minimum.

I'm willing to bet OP would have normally done so, but since she was ticked off at the poor guy, chose to "let the kids go.. see what happens.. smirk smirk.."

 

[TheRustyScupper]

. . . And other passengers weren't annoyed . . .

1) How do you know?
2) Sounds like a big leap of faith.
3) Did you poll each of the other nearby passengers?
4) Just because they did not voice complaints to flight staff doesn't mean they were not annoyed.
5) They might have just been polite.

NOTE: I have flown A LOT, and I think all passengers have a right to fly in peace. Passengers
do not have to put up with boisterousness, loud, laughing, giggling, loud videos, or other noises.
Only passengers who feel "they are entitled" think otherwise. Airplanes are not sporting events
where loud crowd noise is anticipated - regardless of the length of the flight.

 

[smidgy]

I don't get it. If you all boarded together, why did you try and save a seat for your seven year old.

they didn't board together. they only paid for 2 EBCI, planning on saving at least one seat so the kids could sit together and watch a movie.

turns out, the second kid(boarding later) got a seat one row behind, so the mom switched with him. this made good sense. the 2 kids could sit together and watch a movie and mom was right behind them.

what irritated a lot of posters here was the seat saving to begin with (the man paid for EBCI, the person hoping to sit in the "saved seat" did not) and the vengeful attitude of the mom towards the man who did nothing wrong.

CarolMN in correct. if you want to save money by not purchasing EBCI, but still want to try to get your party to sit together, simply choose seats towards the rear of the plane. voila!

 

[smidgy]

No not rude my kids come first and I'm not choosing which of my children is more deserving to watch a movie on a five hour flight! !

most movies are 90 mintues. 2 hours tops. let them take turns. have the child with the movie sit alone. then switch when the movie is over. you can entertain the child without the electronic device. play cards. the dots game crosswords. 20 questions. talk. or he can read.

 

[camandjacksmom]

they didn't board together. they only paid for 2 EBCI, planning on saving at least one seat so the kids could sit together and watch a movie.

turns out, the second kid(boarding later) got a seat one row behind, so the mom switched with him. this made good sense. the 2 kids could sit together and watch a movie and mom was right behind them.

what irritated a lot of posters here was the seat saving to begin with (the man paid for EBCI, the person hoping to sit in the "saved seat" did not) and the vengeful attitude of the mom towards the man who did nothing wrong.

CarolMN in correct. if you want to save money by not purchasing EBCI, but still want to try to get your party to sit together, simply choose seats towards the rear of the plane. voila!

I don't know where you got I paid for EBC and so did the man that sat down never said that.
We didn't by EBC nor did the man who sat next to us. I was in boarding A with one child and my husband with child 2 was in boarding B. My husband was 15 people behind this man with child 2. Vengeful no resourceful yes! My kids getting what they want and need to have a happy flight is what I did! This guy had a right to sit down and I had as much right to move and let my kids sit together!

 

[Nancy F]

And this is why I won't fly SW. My Dec. flight is the last with AirTran. My April trip is with US Air.
Nancy

 

[camandjacksmom]

1) How do you know?
2) Sounds like a big leap of faith.
3) Did you poll each of the other nearby passengers?
4) Just because they did not voice complaints to flight staff doesn't mean they were not annoyed.
5) They might have just been polite.

NOTE: I have flown A LOT, and I think all passengers have a right to fly in peace. Passengers
do not have to put up with boisterousness, loud, laughing, giggling, loud videos, or other noises.
Only passengers who feel "they are entitled" think otherwise. Airplanes are not sporting events
where loud crowd noise is anticipated - regardless of the length of the flight.

You assume alot and you know how the old saying goes..... my children were not loud or obnoxious and I could tell you from the surrounding rows no one was annoyed it was more along the lines of what a jerk! The flight attendants went out if their way gave them extra snacks and complimented them on how well behaved they were! Next you'll be saying people with babies that cry shouldn't be allowed on the plane! I'm entitled to talk laugh and giggle until someone complains and my kids or myself is asked to stop which so your clear never happened!

 

[elaine amj]

I don't know where you got I paid for EBC and so did the man that sat down never said that.
We didn't by EBC nor did the man who sat next to us. I was in boarding A with one child and my husband with child 2 was in boarding B. My husband was 15 people behind this man with child 2. Vengeful no resourceful yes! My kids getting what they want and need to have a happy flight is what I did! This guy had a right to sit down and I had as much right to move and let my kids sit together!

This happens to us sometimes because we can't always check in at the exact same second. The 30 sec delay sometimes means we are separated by several ppl. What I do in your situation is to sit in the window seat and the aisle seat. It is usually easy to "save" a middle seat.
I did have it happen on a Delta flight because there were not enough seats next to each other when I booked the flight. I sat behind my 2 kids. Worked hard to keep them quiet but I know the person next to them who refused to switch had to deal with my kids turning round to talk to me, squirming, and typical kid movements. It wasn't out of hand, but certainly more movement and giggling (and a couple of fusses when they argued) than he would have to deal with sitting with an adult.

He was completely within his rights to stay seated...but I doubt it was worth it. In my world, I had little choice as neither kid was old enough (IMO) to sit by themselves so my only option was to seat the two together.

 

[camandjacksmom]

If you want to ensure you sit together, or your kids sit together, purchase EBCI for all members of your party. seat saving is not allowed.

the reason it was implied that the OP was a jerk was because she delighted in the "uncomfortableness" of the person who simply took a seat he paid for.

Most people on a plane encourage their children (and these children were old enough to know better) to "keep it down", and keep getting out of your seat to a minimum.

I'm willing to bet OP would have normally done so, but since she was ticked off at the poor guy, chose to "let the kids go.. see what happens.. smirk smirk.."

The guy was a jerk because 3 rows back was an aisle seat but he just had to sit down next to a child. So since he didn't mind sitting by one what difference does 2 make. If a child needs to go to the restroom who are you or anyone to say its to much?

 

[camandjacksmom]

This happens to us sometimes because we can't always check in at the exact same second. The 30 sec delay sometimes means we are separated by several ppl. What I do in your situation is to sit in the window seat and the aisle seat. It is usually easy to "save" a middle seat.

That was my mistake I put child one by the window and I sat in the middle to make it easier to get child 2 settled and of course he has to sit down! Ever since then we have gone to this and the boys can sit together!

 

[camandjacksmom]

most movies are 90 mintues. 2 hours tops. let them take turns. have the child with the movie sit alone. then switch when the movie is over. you can entertain the child without the electronic device. play cards. the dots game crosswords. 20 questions. talk. or he can read.

Call it crazy but kids actually prefer sitting together than with their parents if they have the choice and if I can make that happen I will! Again I do what's best for my kids not what is better for some stranger! One could say why couldn't he have moved 3 rows back to the next open aisle seat!

 

[smidgy]

I don't know where you got I paid for EBC and so did the man that sat down never said that.
We didn't by EBC nor did the man who sat next to us. I was in boarding A with one child and my husband with child 2 was in boarding B. My husband was 15 people behind this man with child 2. Vengeful no resourceful yes! My kids getting what they want and need to have a happy flight is what I did! This guy had a right to sit down and I had as much right to move and let my kids sit together!

ah! my bad, I assumed you at least paid for at least 2 EBCI. so you didn't pay for ANY EBCI, but still expected to have your choice of seats. and got mad at someone who chose a seat you wanted.
again, we don't fly SW for this reason. we want to choose our seats. and if I did fly SW, I would pay for EBCI. otherwise, you have no guarantee to sit together.

now you could have warned others of what might happen if you don't pay for EBCI. but you still can't call this guy a jerk (not rightfully, anyway). how do you know he didn't have a connecting flight he needed to make. 3 rows can make a lot of difference in exit time.

as I posted, it made sense for you to switch so the kids could sit together.

It was the obvious glee you took that struck most of the posters wrong.

Of course I am going to look after my family first. but I am also going to be concerned that I and the rest of my family take as much care as possible so others around us also have a peaceful flight, good vacation, etc. etc.

 

[SarahInMN]

The guy was a jerk because 3 rows back was an aisle seat but he just had to sit down next to a child.

I fail to see how someone taking an open seat on SW makes him a jerk - it is open seating. How does that make him a jerk?

When flying we all need to be considerate of each other - this includes not letting children annoy/disturb other flyers. I frankly have more of an issue with that than some guy picking an aisle seat which he had every right to pick.

 

[smidgy]

The guy was a jerk because 3 rows back was an aisle seat but he just had to sit down next to a child. So since he didn't mind sitting by one what difference does 2 make. If a child needs to go to the restroom who are you or anyone to say its to much?

That was my mistake I put child one by the window and I sat in the middle to make it easier to get child 2 settled and of course he has to sit down! Ever since then we have gone to this and the boys can sit together!

um, so which is it??

 

[camandjacksmom]

ah! my bad, I assumed you at least paid for at least 2 EBCI.
again, we don't fly SW for this reason. we want to choose our seats. and if I did fly SW, I would pay for EBCI. otherwise, you have no guarantee to sit together.

now you could have warned others of what might happen if you don't pay for EBCI. but you still can't call this guy a jerk (not rightfully, anyway). how do you know he didn't have a connecting flight he needed to make. ?

as I posted, it made sense for you to switch so the kids could sit together.

It was the obvious glee you took that struck most of the posters wrong.

Of course I am going to look after my family first. but I am also going to be concerned that I and the rest of my family take as much care as possible so others around us also have a peaceful flight, good vacation, etc. etc.

Fair enough! I don't think I would have been so amused if he hadn't really just been so ugly about the entire thing. He took glee at splitting my kids up and for me the momma bear came out and the rest is history!