OH no, they changed our seat assignments!

[PRINCESS VIJA]

I got the call on a change in our flight. Midwest used to have 2 and 2 seating, now they changed it to 2 and 3 seating. Originally we had A B C & D seats. Now we have A &B and then C which is across the aisle, and D is behind us a row and at F. The problem is, we have 2 kids. We won't all be sitting together. I am nervous enough about flying, and the fact that we won't be sitting together is just sending me over the edge. At this point one of the kids would be sitting across the aisle, which to me is not an option. It is not fair to my kid, nor the stranger that he will be sitting next too.

They told me that since the flight is full, there isn't anything they can do about it right now, but that at check in they might be able to do something. What can they do then, that can't be done now? How can I get my family to sit next to each other????? I am so stressed about this, what to do? Someone please HELP!!!

Thanks!

 

[communicore]

This is quite a dilemma.

The best thing I can think of is to get there as early as possible (2+ hours before scheduled flight) and plead your case with the check-in agent. I think if you let them know you're traveling with children and they have the seats available, they'll try to accomodate you. Usually, exit rows aren't assigned until check-in, so you might get lucky and have people opt for those rows, freeing up some space for you and your family (kids can't be assigned exit row seats).

In any event, I would phone the airlines when you flight date is near and explain the situation then. Worst case scenario, they have an attendent keeping a close watch on whomever is floating by themselves in row D, seat F. Hopefully, it won't come to this, as it's a parent's logistic nightmare, but when you're at the mercy of the airlines, what can you do?

Hope it works out for you.

 

[jel0511]

I've had this happen to me numerous times, first off, since you do have three seats together, albet separated by an aisle, unless both of your children are under the age of 5, they probably won't do much for you. I've had to FIGHT with airlines before to get my children together and one scenario stands out. I was traveling with a 3 YO and a 4 month old, we had seat assignments all together until we arrived at the airport. We then were assigned 4 seats ALL OVER the plane. I told the check-in agent that I was obviously traveling with small children, and she said that she couldn't help, it was now up to the gate agent. So, I high tail it to the gate, and the gate agent says they'll "try" to do something about it, but that no passenger is going want to sit next to your young children alone, so I'm sure they'll switch with you. Well, the flight ended up being delayed, changed gates, etc. I kept checking, and each time they told me they were "working on it." Well, eventually the flight is ready to leave, and I still have 4 seats all over the place, and my 4 month old sitting unattended!!! Well, I they then call for babies to board, and I ask the agent taking boarding passes, if my situation had been resolved. She then had the nerve to tell me why I hadn't asked yet!!! I said I had, and was told to wait until they called me. Anyway, boarding was held up until they got us 2 and 2 together, separated by 15 rows, but at least each child was with a parent. That's all the airlines will guarantee is that a child under the age of 5 will be with one parent, not both, since after 5, children are allowed to fly unaccompanied. Another time, we were in the same sitution, 2 and 2 15 rows apart, and I asked the gate agent if we could possibly try to get closer together. He said I was lucky that my family was at least somewhat together, since most families on that particular flight were all over the plane!!! I hope it works out for you, and good luck.

 

[punkin]

I can second Lori's experience and add that the flight attendants in my particular siituation were also useless. However, no matter how unhelpful the airlines' employees may be, I guarantee you that there is no adult in the world that won't trade seats with you in order not to be seated next to a hysterical 4 yr old crying for her mommy who is seated 5 rows away. This I know from experience.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by punkin
I can second Lori's experience and add that the flight attendants in my particular siituation were also useless. However, no matter how unhelpful the airlines' employees may be, I guarantee you that there is no adult in the world that won't trade seats with you in order not to be seated next to a hysterical 4 yr old crying for her mommy who is seated 5 rows away. This I know from experience.

I completely disagree with that statement. The FAs can only ask someone to move, they cannot force someone to change their seat. The same applies to counter agents and gate attendants, they can only ask other pax. Your statement was completely wrong and totally unkind.

 

[PRINCESS VIJA]

Ok, well thanks for the info, but I have to say it is pretty pathetic that airlines do this. Especially jel0511's tale of being all over the plane, and after having seats all together!!!!! I think that the people who had seats together should remain that way, and when the new people were scheduled, they should have been the ones to be separated. Oh well, I'll arrive early and hope for the best. But early means REALLY early at the airport, since they changed the time of the flight as well. 1 1/2 hours earlier. But un the plus side, it gets us into Orlando earlier too!

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by PRINCESS VIJA
Ok, well thanks for the info, but I have to say it is pretty pathetic that airlines do this. Especially jel0511's tale of being all over the plane, and after having seats all together!!!!! I think that the people who had seats together should remain that way, and when the new people were scheduled, they should have been the ones to be separated. Oh well, I'll arrive early and hope for the best. But early means REALLY early at the airport, since they changed the time of the flight as well. 1 1/2 hours earlier. But un the plus side, it gets us into Orlando earlier too!

Yes, it is pretty pathetic that they do this. It is all business, nothing more. I agree that if you were seated together to begin with, then it should remain, but, if they are merging a flight, then that becomes very difficult to do. You don't know when other people reserved, you could have been one of the last ones.
I sure hope it works out and you are not all over the plane.

This sure makes the arguement against SWA's seating policy someone moot, since the airlines don't appear to be able to guarantee your seat to remain the same.

 

[PRINCESS VIJA]

They didn't merge flights, they changed the type of plane so more people could be on that flight. For whatever reason, we are still together on the return flight home. The first agent said that the flight computer assigned the 4th person of the trip to randomly sit somewhere else. That is just wrong IMO if you bought seats all together initially that you should stay together. And yes, it is a business, and as my DH stated if we are treated poorly, we will take our business elsewhere next time. We are loyal to our local hub. They HAD great seating and hopefully still have great service. Even though they were more expensive than other airlines, we opted for the "best care in the air" and all the amenities. Now they have changed the comfy chairs to smaller chairs, cloth seats, and changed our seats. 2 more airlines opened up direct flights to Orlando, next time we will check out all of our options. So goes the way of "business", it goes both ways, they think it is better for their business, we go elsewhere so it is better for our family.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

I cannot help but believe that if they changed the aircraft and moved the flight that they are accomodating other pax from other flights.
I completely agree that if you don't like the service you should definitely change airlines.

Have you asked for a refund because this is not acceptable? Perhaps they could be convinced to refund and you could find better flights? How about another flight time. Guess I am wondering if the agent gave you all the available options.

 

[NotUrsula]

You know, I really don't see why the FAA can't adopt a regulation that says that all children under age 5 MUST be seated adjacent to an accompanying adult. A regulation like this has been adopted by the UK's air safety agency; why not here? (I'm saying age 5 because that is the age that has already been established as the minimum age to fly unaccompanied.)

Anyone want to start a letter-writing campaign? A flood of letters (copied to your congressional representative for good measure, of course) just might do the trick.

Software CAN be set to manage this; if they can flag elite passengers, they can flag children under age 5.

 

[miche61]

We had a similar situation.
We were flying back from Russia with our two youngest, then 3 and 4. Our connecting flight, which they held at the NY airport for us (Russian planes kind of run on their own schedule sometimes) and we had no time to change our seats. We had two together, and the other two were not even near each other. We were lucky in that when we got on the plane, my DH asked some very kind people to switch so that our family could sit together. So, it worked out for us. I agree that no one really wants to sit next to a child that does not belong with them, and needs their parents near them. In our case, no one would have been able to understand them because our children only spoke Russian at the time.

 

[ls1222]

I totally agree with the fact that if you booked together, you should stay together!! I understand that the airline is only obligated to get you from point A to point B but this is just ridiculous. We just had an equipment change for our upcoming flight and so far they have kept us together (2 A 3 C). I can't even imagine my 9 yr old sitting with strangers. I personally think if they can't keep you with your family then they should give you an option to refund the tickets. It is not even an option for me to split up the family. I want to sit with my DH and the kids (for us it is a family experience).

 

[kda]

In the meantime, I'd like to suggest some things that MIGHT help you secure seats together------ and might also help if you feel the need to try to fix this.

People change their reservations all the time. (Midwest handles a lot of business clients who might have their plans change more frequently than us vacationers.). So seats could open up at any time (cross fingers and look for pixie dust). I always monitor seating charts on United and Delta, which I fly primarily, and have watched seats change, even when the flights look pretty full. In addition, there could be frequent flyer seats that are blocked off for now, but will be released when it gets closer to the departure date.

I've flown Midwest and know that I could select my own seats when I booked, but can't recall if I could 'access' my reservation on line and see a seating chart. If you can do this, keep checking the seating chart at least daily and if you see 2 seats together, call the airline and ask that one adult and one child be moved there. If you can't access the seating chart for your flight, just keep calling the airline to inquire.

I hope you're able to resolve this before the flight so you can enjoy the excitement of your trip.

 

[crisi]

That isn't too bad. The aisles on a plane are so tight that sitting your youngest in A, you in B, the oldest in C will be sitting together. The only time you won't be able to reach out and touch your child across the aisle is when the beverage cart goes through.

(I think its pretty likely that the E&F passengers will be willing to take the A&B seats - unless their party is in E&F ahead of or behind them).

 

[PRINCESS VIJA]

thanks for the helpful responses. I guess I will call and just keep checking, and otherwise show up early and hope for the best.

 

[beccasmom]

I saw this situation last September traveling to WDW. My mom offered to give up her aisle seat so that a family of four (mom, dad, two toddlers) could be together. My mom took the middle seat (good thing she is tiny! ) and the dad took her aisle seat. Of course, there had to be an empty seat to be able to do this....a rarity on planes these days. I have often seen people offering to change seats for this reason....it's a shame that it's necessary, though.

 

[perdidobay]

On a flight to Orlando last year, DH and I were seated next to each other. Boarding the plane was a young family, Mom with baby, Dad, and young son. They were seated apart, Dad on aisle next to Me, his son across the aisle, and Mom one row back and baby next to son. I overheard them asking the FA if they could move. No seats were free. I told FA I would be happy to move and the son took my seat next to Dad, Mom moved up next to baby and I took her seat. They were so greatful it made my day
The bonus was, when the FA had finished with the drink service, she stopped by to thank me and gave me two vouchers ( each good for a free drink or 1500 ff miles) for moving. It pays to be nice

 

[PRINCESS VIJA]

beccasmom, that is great that your mom did that, and perdidobay, that was so nice that you helped that family out as well. A nice reward that you got as well! Hopefully it won't come to that, but if so, maybe we will have some kindness directed our way as well!

 

[sixcats]

Be sure to check in early! This happened to us a few years ago. I was told that 4 rows of seats remain unassigned until checkin. I checked in as early as possible, and we got all of our seats together. Check with your airline to see if they also hold a few rows back for assignment.

 

[kilee]

I think that being seated apart is ridiculous. I am sorry but what child 3, 4 even 7, or 10 is not going to be terrified sitting next to strangers 1/2 a plane a way from mom or dad. Especially if it's there first time flying. We will be flying for our first time this next trip (Oct.). We are booked on Southwest and I have found out that they don't obviously assign seats. My son (10) will throw a holy terror fit and make everyone around him downright miserable every minute of the trip if he is not with his parents. He is very nervous and upset about this trip on the plane to begin with. He doesn't want to fly. (DH and I are not crazy about flying either, we figured we'd give it a shot). Way I see it, if I were flying without a child I'd move anywhere in a heartbeat to accomodate a family. I am assuming that someone will do the same for us. Needless to say, we will be showing up very early anyway.