Just venting - SWA - Seat Savers

[Disneylover99]

This guy had a right to sit down and I had as much right to move and let my kids sit together!

I totally agree with this.

I just think it's really rude to refer to him as a jerk and laugh about how he was annoyed by your children the entire trip.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

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?

I wasn't "implying" anything . It was an honest question. As a parent, I am well aware that kids get restless, nervous or whatever in certain situations, but a healthy 7 and 11 year old will generally be able to hold their bladder longer than a half hour unless they have partaken in excessive amounts of liquid. And I'm assuming most parents wouldn't let their kids drink THAT much before boarding for that very reason.

My post was not meant to be insulting. I thought, perhaps, your kids may have actually had special needs which necessitated that many trips to the restroom (which is why I inquired.....rather that just assuming they were rambunctious or unable/unwilling to sit in their seats.....particularly where the 11 year old was concerned).

 

[camandjacksmom]

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.

When flying we all need to be considerate? Allowing a mom and her two kids sit together would have been considerate.....
In my world you are a jerk if you could care less about splitting children up so you can prove a point and since it happened in my world I called him a jerk and that observation stands. Had you seen his face heard his tone you probably would have said the same. The man was annoyed because I threw the monkey wrench at him by trading places with my kid. Also zero complaints were made and as I've stated earlier the flight attendants even complimented them on their behavior.

 

[SarahInMN]

I sat one row behind and laughed as my children annoyed the crap out of him by laughing at their movies....this momma doesn't mind subjecting you to my little terrors

You posted this upthread (post #6 to be precise) which to me sounds as if at least one person's peace and quiet was disturbed yet you say zero complaints were made. Also, the fact that you refer to you sons as "little terrors" implies they weren't exactly well behaved.

Bottom line, my issues are with you for calling him a jerk for sitting down in an open seat (a seat to which he was entitled) and for "laughing as my children annoyed the crap out of him."

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

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?

I think most people would find a few trips to the loo during a 5 hour journey perfectly acceptable. We have sat next to many young people on our flights (since we all usually book an aisle seat, meaning there's 1 or two people next to each of us depending on what kind of a plane we are flying on) and yes, they have all needed to get up and use the bathroom while we're in the air. But 2 kids x a restroom trip every 30 minutes x a 5 hour flight = 20 times this fellow was potentially inconvenienced (and yes, necessary or not....its still inconvenient for someone who has to move to let you out, whether its an adult or a child). Does that not seem a little excessive to you, even if you dearly love those "little terrors"?

 

[camandjacksmom]

I wasn't "implying" anything . It was an honest question. As a parent, I am well aware that kids get restless, nervous or whatever in certain situations, but a healthy 7 and 11 year old will generally be able to hold their bladder longer than a half hour unless they have partaken in excessive amounts of liquid. And I'm assuming most parents wouldn't let their kids drink THAT much before boarding for that very reason.

My post was not meant to be insulting. I thought, perhaps, your kids may have actually had special needs which necessitated that many trips to the restroom (which is why I inquired.....rather that just assuming they were rambunctious or unable/unwilling to sit in their seats.....particularly where the 11 year old was concerned).

Okay if you really want to know here it goes...
Well when you break down 2 kids needing to go number 1 when the unbuckle sign went off, then both of them needing to go number 2 during the flight then needing to go number 1 after a snack and drink number one and then having to pee again after the flight attendants brought them extra drinks and snacks it quickly escalates to getting out of their seat every half hour. I didn't stop to give the guy a history of how small my kids bladders were or the fact that they are regular! We do not hold it in our family as it leads to bladder infections. Probably more information than anyone wants on this thread!

 

[smidgy]

When flying we all need to be considerate? Allowing a mom and her two kids sit together would have been considerate.....
In my world you are a jerk if you could care less about splitting children up so you can prove a point .

you ARE allowed to sit together. book an airline that allows you to choose your seats. a single flyer doesn't need to concern himself with that, so he chooses the cheaper airline. families who NEED to sit together (or consider those who won't switch "jerks") need to fly on other airlines, or at least pay extra for EBCI.

If you choose to not pay the extra money to take care of your own family, you cannot get mad at others. mamma bear makes sure from the start the family has what they need. single flyer pays for what he needs. simple as that.

here's another example: rooms at disney resorts.

people don't want to spend the money on a preferred room.. so they book a standard. then expect to be upgraded to a pool view, or a more convenient location.

I admit we did this ourselves. didn't hurt to ask NICELY. well, too many peopel were getting ticked off if they DIDNt' get an upgrade. so NOW they have 18 million categories of rooms. you get what you pay for. plain and simple

you want to be ASSURED of not getting a parking lot view? pay for a garden view. but don't call the guest behind you who gets that garden view you wanted a jerk.

 

[Disneylover99]

When flying we all need to be considerate? Allowing a mom and her two kids sit together would have been considerate......

It was only you and your eleven year old son sitting down when the man arrived. Is that correct? Your husband got on the plane with your other son after the man. I fail to see how the man was inconsiderate.

 

[camandjacksmom]

You posted this upthread (post #6 to be precise) which to me sounds as if at least one person's peace and quiet was disturbed yet you say zero complaints were made.

Bottom line, my issues are with you for calling him a jerk for sitting down in an open seat (a seat to which he was entitled) and for "laughing as my children annoyed the crap out of him."

Correct zero complaints were made, uttered or said. I watched his face, his eye rolling and his huffing. Had he flagged a FA down to complain I'm sure something would have been said to me or my children but in fact nothing was said. Wonder why that was? Maybe he regretted his choice of seat he was entitled to.

 

[SarahInMN]

you are allowed to sit together. book an airline that allows you to choose your seats. a single flyer doesn't need to concern himself with that, so he chooses the cheaper airline. families who need to sit together (or consider those who won't switch "jerks") need or fly on other airlines, or at least pay extra for EBCI.

If you choose to not pay the extra money to take care of your own family, you cannot get mad at others. mamma bear makes sure from the start the family has what they need. single flyer pays for what he needs. simple as that.

This is why I fly Delta = so I can pick my seats in advance. granted there can also be a metal change or a misconnect but pre-selecting/pre-paying for seats greatly improves my chances of sitting where I want vs on SW.

 

[camandjacksmom]

This is why I fly Delta = so I can pick my seats in advance. granted there can also be a metal change or a misconnect but pre-selecting/pre-paying for seats greatly improves my chances of sitting where I want vs on SW.

Delta was the one airline I have been asked twice if I would change my seat so a family could sit together! Which I gladly did. Delta does not have direct flights to Orlando for us or we might use them.

 

[suemom2kay]

So Mom of Cam and Jack. Why didn't you just pay for EBCI??? I know it is very important to me that we sit as a family, which is why we choose JetBlue. However, if I got a better deal with SW I would jump on it, of course factoring in the price of EBCI. The sense of entitlement is astonishing.

 

[Nancy F]

Yeah I had a guy do that to me because my family was spilt I had one child with me in one group and my husband had the other one in another. The jerk insisted on not letting me save the seat for my 7 year old claiming snooze you loose. I said no problem you can sit with an 11 year old and 7 year old by yourself because I got one video player and they want to sit together! I sat one row behind and laughed as my children annoyed the crap out of him by laughing at their movies. When he tried to switch seats with those around us who saw his actions they were like snooze you loose! THAT was the best entertainment I have ever seen for a 5 hour flight to California! Be careful who you choose to make a point to because this momma doesn't mind subjecting you to my little terrors if you want a seat that bad!

I am so glad I don't have to fly with you. Nice that you call your kids "little terrors". Funny that you said they are 11 +7 when you tag line said something different.
Nancy

 

[smidgy]

I am so glad I don't have to fly with you. Nice that you call your kids "little terrors". Funny that you said they are 11 +7 when you tag line said something different.
Nancy

IN all fairness this poster didn't say it happened last week. we all relate storiesfrom the past, sometimes from years ago. I know I do. we've been going to disney since 1993. and people have been flying on airplanes for many years.

 

[Viva Las Disney]

Yeah I had a guy do that to me because my family was spilt I had one child with me in one group and my husband had the other one in another. The jerk insisted on not letting me save the seat for my 7 year old claiming snooze you loose. I said no problem you can sit with an 11 year old and 7 year old by yourself because I got one video player and they want to sit together! I sat one row behind and laughed as my children annoyed the crap out of him by laughing at their movies. When he tried to switch seats with those around us who saw his actions they were like snooze you loose! THAT was the best entertainment I have ever seen for a 5 hour flight to California! Be careful who you choose to make a point to because this momma doesn't mind subjecting you to my little terrors if you want a seat that bad!

I agree he should have been polite and allowed your family to sit together but just because he didn't doesn't mean he should be annoyed for 5 hours by your "little terrors".

This is a classic example of 2 wrongs don't make a right.

 

[smidgy]

! I sat one row behind and laughed as my children annoyed the crap out of him by laughing at their movies. this momma doesn't mind subjecting you to my little terrors if you want a seat that bad!

an example of consideration

 

[delilah]

I sometimes fly alone, and I would actually prefer to sit next to two children giggling at a movie, as opposed to having to sit next to, and slightly under a morbidly obese row mate, as I have had to do. On the particular airline in question, I had purchased a reserved seat, and was actually the first who chose a seat in the row, at the time I purchased my ticket.

Now, I have a question for those who think that the OP was "rude". Given that she didn't purchase EBCT, or whatever it is called on SWA, and she had 2 adults and 2 children, are you proposing that perhaps, she should have sent the 2 children in together first? Or, maybe the 2 adults, and let the children fend for themselves later? We are presuming that perhaps the man in question had a connection to make, and not the family? Or maybe, others think that one child had to sit with one adult, and vs versa. My son has been split from us at various times. One time in particular, we were on an airline that had 2-3 sitting. By coincidence, before the flight, we happened to find the people who were sitting across the aisle. How I reserved the seat is my son and I were on the 2 side, and my husband in the aisle seat across. My son decided that he wanted to sit next to his new friend (I think he was about 8 at the time). So, he did, in the middle seat, with the other mom in the aisle seat. He did great.

 

[goofy4tink]

My now 20 y/o dd has been flying since she was three. Her first flight was cross country! Here's the thing...I understand about young kids and their bladders. But, because I realize that the more you drink, the more you pee, I try to limit liquids before flying. We drink enough to stay hydrated but not so much as to be running to the bathroom every hour or so. I don't think my dd has used a plane restroom more than 3 times!!! And she's a fairly frequent flier! She also was used to flying without electronics! But that's a whole different issue.

Here's the thing, in a nutshell. There is blame to go around here. The man took a seat based on who was seated there. You have no idea as to why he felt that was a good seat. It was open, he sat in it. That is SW policy....period. But, when mom saw that her second child wouldn't be able to sit with her now, she moved...leaving that man with two kids instead of a mom and a child. Could he have moved? Sure, but he possibly had his reasons for being as close to the front as possible. I have been stuck, when trying to get off the plane, behind some pretty inconsiderate people..so three rows could have made a huge difference!
If you want to save a seat, it's always a good idea to leave that middle seat empty. No one will take that unless there are no other choices!!! So, mom made a mistake there.

Truly? There is no need for the kind of attitudes I'm seeing on this thread. On both sides of the argument. So, either take a less argumentative tone or don't post. Thanks.

 

[sam_gordon]

I sometimes fly alone, and I would actually prefer to sit next to two children giggling at a movie, as opposed to having to sit next to, and slightly under a morbidly obese row mate, as I have had to do. On the particular airline in question, I had purchased a reserved seat, and was actually the first who chose a seat in the row, at the time I purchased my ticket.

Now, I have a question for those who think that the OP was "rude". Given that she didn't purchase EBCT, or whatever it is called on SWA, and she had 2 adults and 2 children, are you proposing that perhaps, she should have sent the 2 children in together first? Or, maybe the 2 adults, and let the children fend for themselves later? We are presuming that perhaps the man in question had a connection to make, and not the family? Or maybe, others think that one child had to sit with one adult, and vs versa. My son has been split from us at various times. One time in particular, we were on an airline that had 2-3 sitting. By coincidence, before the flight, we happened to find the people who were sitting across the aisle. How I reserved the seat is my son and I were on the 2 side, and my husband in the aisle seat across. My son decided that he wanted to sit next to his new friend (I think he was about 8 at the time). So, he did, in the middle seat, with the other mom in the aisle seat. He did great.

I haven't posted yet, but I agree the OP was "rude". IMO, what she should have done... put her child in the window seat and she sits in the aisle, leaving the middle open for the other child. If her plan was for the kids to share the DVD player from the beginning, how would they share if she was sitting between them (if her plan had worked).

Since SW doesn't allow seat saving, she was in the wrong from the start (but understandable). What I HIGHLY disagree with was her admitted glee/enjoyment at the suffering of the "intruder". I agree with PP who says THAT'S what most criticizers find "wrong".

I do think bathroom breaks every 30 minutes is a bit much, even for kids (special needs excepted). I get that kids get fidgety, bored, etc, but that's no excuse for going to the bathroom, especially when it inconveniences someone else.

 

[Disneylover99]

Now, I have a question for those who think that the OP was "rude". Given that she didn't purchase EBCT, or whatever it is called on SWA, and she had 2 adults and 2 children, are you proposing that perhaps, she should have sent the 2 children in together first? Or, maybe the 2 adults, and let the children fend for themselves later? We are presuming that perhaps the man in question had a connection to make, and not the family? Or maybe, others think that one child had to sit with one adult, and vs versa. My son has been split from us at various times. .

A lot of people are referring to camandjacksmom as the OP. She is not.

I'm not proposing that she do anything differently. I have no problem with her switching seats with her kids after the man sat down. I just think the way she presented her experience was spiteful, mean and self-righteous.