OH no, they changed our seat assignments!

[Claudia1]

This has happened to us before and I'm sure that it will happen again. We are all at the mercy of the airline employees. You just hold your temper and pray for a sympathetic one.

Wish I could help but your best bet is to talk to the gate attendant. If there is more than one (and one is not helpful), walk away and check back later with the other one. Sometimes that works for us.

 

[mcnuss]

Originally posted by 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.

I guess I am in the minority in that I don't worry about us being separated on the plane at all. In fact, most of the time, we are not seated together, as I get upgraded and can only upgrade 1 person with me, so usually DD sits with me, and DH sits in the back. (He gets rather jealous, btw...) In any case, my DD9 would be fine sitting next to strangers for 2 hours or so, all she does on the plane is read. On several trips when the planes were less than full, she went and picked out a different seat in another row away from me just to have more room. I do recognize that she is more adventurous than many other kids, she has traveled a lot, but she was really just born this way!

Having said this, of course, I am not advocating separating very young or nervous children from one of their parents, but I do not believe it is the airline's or the FA's responsibility to try to help seat a family of 4 or 5 or more together. As long as the kids have one parent, I think the obligation is fulfilled.

I have offered to move or moved more times than I can count to help out with family seating situations. As a solo flyer, and a mom, how could I not? I actually did have a situation when DD was 2 where I had the window in one row, she had the middle in the row in front of me, and we asked the guy in the middle seat next to me to switch with her, and he would not!! He liked row whatever it was, and was not going to budge. Luckily, the person in the window seat next too DD offered to switch with me when she (NB: "she") heard what was going on.

 

[kilee]

Some of these stories are unbelievable. I am actually appaulled that the airlines don't make sure all children don't have at least one adult with them. What 2 year old can take care of themselves??? My stomach is actually in knots right now. I am so frustrated. (Can you tell we've never flown?)

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by kilee
Some of these stories are unbelievable. I am actually appaulled that the airlines don't make sure all children don't have at least one adult with them. What 2 year old can take care of themselves??? My stomach is actually in knots right now. I am so frustrated. (Can you tell we've never flown?)

Kilee,
You need to relax. Most airlines make sure that little ones have at least one parent with them. FA's cannot force anyone to move their seat, they can ask, they can cajole, but they cannot make them move. It does happen that seating assignments get messed up, but, generally, it can be fixed at the gate.
You are flying SWA, get there early so you can get an A or B boarding pass and you will be fine. The only time I have flown separately from Dee is when we overslept and got to the airport late. We got (what equates to) a C pass. I don't like flying apart from him, but, for 2 hours and 45 min. I did survive. I understand that you three are nervous, so, your situation will be different. Perhaps you could speak to the attendant at the gate and explain your first time status and your edginess about flying and they can assist you and alert the FA's to your situation.
You never know unless you try. SWA is a great airline and very very human.

 

[cboudre1]

We had this problem repeatedly with US Air. Our seats were always separated. We ended up together, but I found it very stressful. A lot of times you would be switching with another family that was also split up. We switched to Southwest and it has not been a problem. We get there 2 hours early to get an A or B seating. That is my favorite part of Southwest, no seating assignments.

 

[mcnuss]

That is my favorite part of Southwest, no seating assignments.

LOL - I was just thinking the exact opposite, it's what I hate about Southwest!!

I feel like we're cattle. Some people get so crazed about their boarding groups, and the lines, and where to stand, and who is cutting in line, yadda yadda that I cannot stand it. At MHT, there is simply not enough room for the line-up and it is chaos. I did notice in the new terminal at Midway that bc the boarding areas were designed with their system in mind, that they are much better. The thing I despise the most is that when changing planes, you have to line up to get another boarding card (this has been alleviated in places with the kiosks) and then line up again to get on board. Too many lines for me, although I guess it's good practice for WDW!!!

Gail - do you work for SW? I've never seen anyone advocate so strongly for an airline, or any travel company for that matter.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Gail - do you work for SW? I've never seen anyone advocate so strongly for an airline, or any travel company for that matter.

No, I sure don't work for SWA. Wish I did. I just truly love their business model and the way they treat people. Considering all the changes other airlines do with their flights and seats, I don't see that not having a seat assigned is a bad thing. I look at it as an adventure. I used to be a BIG fan of Delta, until I flew SWA. I like the larger seats, the larger pitch (hopefully phrased correctly) and leg room. I like the fact that they don't use that stupid drink cart which blocks most of the plane a large part of the time and I love the humor. I have never had a bad flight or a rude FA with SWA, in fact, we even had a FA sit down with us and chat and buy us drinks. Delta does not do that.

 

[disneymom3]

WE flew out to Orlando a year and a half ago and honestly the whole experience was so awful we have driven the three times since. We have three kids and two parents. When we made our reservations we reserved the seats in the two and then three positions all the way across the plane. When we got to the airport we were all seated separately. It even listed our seating assignments on our tickets and they were completely different. I said to the ticket agent, "Who in their right mind is going to want to sit next to my 5 month old and praytell how do they intend to feed my nursing baby?" Her response was, "Well, you could always hold him. Babies are not required to have a seat." I was shocked! Now granted I was being a bit sarcastic, but I hadn't been rude. We got no assitance getting our family of 5 anywhere near each other from the airline employees until our trip home (we were separated for both legs their and both legs home.) We finally ran into an employee who was willing to look over the seating configuration and call all kinds of single passengers up to see if they would be willing to switch around for us. Everyone did.

Oh and to clarify, we were scheduled to fly separated but on every flight very kind strangers traded around with us so that the 1 year old, the baby and mom or dad were at least together. The 5 year old did have to fly in a separte row one time, but she was only one ahead of her dad. It all worked out okay, but it is very stressful to have to contemplate as you board the plane. I am sure everything will be fine with you too. It just takes some juggling as other famillies don't want to get separated either so it depends on who you ask to trade.

 

[Lyndarella]

I was never aware that any of this could happen! I can't believe that small children and parents are deliberately separated on a long flight! I can't even imagine what I would do if a stranger's 1-yr old (alone) was seated next to me!

 

[Took]

I was told on another website that some airlines use a computer system to keep track of seat assignements. When the plane size changes or flights merge, the computer fairly randomly moves people whereever they fit. The computer apparently doesn't recognize or differentiate whether the seat holder is a small child or an adult Thus, no "person" deliberately separates families. The computer programs simply have no real mechanism for keeping pairs or families together.

I agree that sometimes FA's are more helpful than other times in getting a parent and child back together, but, I also agree that entire families (that is, both parents and children) should not expect to be kept together (though, of course, it's nice). You do have a legitimate gripe when both parents are separated from a child under 5, but, even then, FA's cannot MAKE others give up their seats. However, if I flew an airline whose FA's made no attempt (via asking for volunteers) to seat me next to my under-5 child, I'd certainly never do business with that airline again!

Our experiences have been mixed. We've often flown together and often been separated. It seems fairly random, though full planes to Orlando often mean separation.

My DD has flown since she was 3 weeks old and is quite unafraid of being separated for short distances/times. However, 99% of the times that we've been separated someone has volunteered to help her sit w/ at least one of us. I think I had to ask once or twice but others have always, ALWAYS, been accomodating to us.

I guess my advice is to try not to worry or stress out. You'll be together, I am willing to bet on it. Just ask politely and see what happens. The one person's comment that "no one wants to sit next to my toddler" is actually completely true!

Good luck w/ your situation.

Took

PS I will try to remember to be a "volunteer" in the future, especially when I'm alone.

 

[ceecee]

This has happened to us two time on USAir and both times it worked out fine. The first time, DD and I sat acrossed the isle from DH, the aisle guy agreed to do window at the FA request. The second time, a guy flying alone gladly moved when the FA asked him. We didn't even notice until after we boarded, since I usually book online and choose my seats then.

 

[MaddieinWonderland]

Something I don't quite understand . . .

How is it that the airline can change someone's seat assignments without their consent and, in essence, *make* them move, but they can't make others move around the plane to seat families together?

That doesn't make any sense to me. It seems arbitrary and meaningless.

 

[Took]

You know, that's a good question! I read on the other website that it's moving people AFTER they have checked in (and have boarding passes) that's problematic, but the logic does seem lacking...

Took

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Well this is a very scary thread. I knew that seating wasn't always set in STONE but I never dreamed that it would be possible that all 5 of us would be totally sitting away from each other??
I really feel sorry for ANY person that would end up sitting next to ANY of my children if this happens with us! We're flying Delta and right now have seating where 1 child is with one adult and 2 children are with the other adult- honestly if they seperate ANY of our children.... the passengers next to them better be kind and offer to move or they will regret it. LOL

I have flown alone before many times- and once with DH- but the kids have NEVER flown. My youngest will be in a carseat so she wouldn't be able to get up and around- but she has a set of lungs and everyone would hear the entire time... trust me on that one. LOL My son will be barely turned 6 at the time of our flight- he WANTS to fly... he's excited about it- but I know he'd freak right out if he didn't have his mom or dad next to him. Oh and he has a set of lungs too... and when he's freaked out/frightened- even his age doesn't help him control that. Even if he wasn't loud about it- who wants their child to cry for hours when they are going to WDW on vacation???????
My oldest is 9... but she's ADHD/ODD. She MIGHT be okay sitting alone if she didn't get scared of flying (it is her first time also) and just played her Gameboy the whole time or read books/etc. But even her it could go really bad... she's hyper anyway and would need one of us atleast near her in some way to make sure she stays in her seat, doesn't get loud or constantly make noises (tapping, humming, singing aloud, etc.) or even touching others! I mean she is a real busybody and with her ADHD has trouble controlling that without some reminders at times.

Boy I sure hope this doesn't happen to us.

 

[Dan Murphy]

As a frequent flyer on Midwest (and I do really love this airline), I can only offer the reason the change took place. Just recently (probably after you had made your ressies, Vija), Midwest changed the 5 routes more traveled by vacationers (Orlando, LA, Phoenix, Denver and Las Vegas) to the more common 2 and 3 seating, leaving all their other routes, more traveled by business travelers with their 2 and 2 seating. And they lowered the fares quite dramatically. When I was checking earlier in the year for Dec (still priced at 2 by 2 then), the fares were in the mid $200's. When I made my Dec ressie, the fare was $192. And, with checking every so often for even better, I did catch it at $176 (now back at $192) and received a $16 voucher. The seat pitch (distance between seats, back to back, is the same, though about 1 1/2 inches narrower.

I think when the flight was reprogrammed from 4 across seating to 5 across, Vija, your family was 'computed' in a non acceptable manner for young kids. I have almost as much joy in dealing with Midwest employees as I do Disney CM's, I really think they are great. Call again, Vija, and explain your situation, I am sure they will listen. Others were randomly reseated too, and can be again.

I live 5 minutes from O'Hare, yet always go to Milwaukee, staying overnight the night before at Four Points, leaving my car there and using their shuttle service to and from the airport. I love it.

Also, Vija, check the current rates and see if your fare is lower. If so, ask for vouchers.

If you have ANY questions or concerns, PM or eamil me.

Dan

PS: I do not work for Midwest, LOL.

 

[CarolynK]

Originally posted by MaddieinWonderland
Something I don't quite understand . . .

How is it that the airline can change someone's seat assignments without their consent and, in essence, *make* them move, but they can't make others move around the plane to seat families together?

That doesn't make any sense to me. It seems arbitrary and meaningless.

The reason this happened is Midwest Airlines has changed its service to tourist destinations. All their planes used to be 2 x 2 leather seats, mostly catering to business travelers and people willing to pay more for a comfortable first class-type flight. The airline supposedly did a survey and found out that people would rather save money to certain destinations like WDW, so they refitted some planes to fit 2 x 3 cloth seats.

We frequently check Midwest's website so we knew this change was coming. We called THEM about our three upcoming flights without waiting for them to call us. This enabled us to get our four seats together.

We aren't happy about the drastic change in this airline, but on the bright side, it's now a lot cheaper to fly to MCO.

As others have said, get there early. I think that the first row is saved for airport check-in, so if you arrive early and explain your situation, maybe you can get it. Good luck.