online seat assignments--Beverly Lynn, do you know this one?

[Rock'n Robin]

Well I booked our flight to Orlando last night on Delta.com. I was able to book seats for 3 out of 4 legs of the trip--however, on the Atlanta-Orlando leg, the plane showed no available seats. Zero. I need at least 2 and 3 together for the kids.
Does this mean it's oversold?
It said we could reserve seats at airport check-in--since we are checking in in Detroit, can we do it then? We won't have time between flights. BTW, we have to be at Detroit airport at 3:45 AM to check in 2 hours early! Hopefully it will be somewhat deserted at that time.
We specifically picked that flight because it will have us in Orlando at 10:15 AM. I'd hate to be bumped and stuck in Atlanta when it's only a Thurs.-Sun. trip as it is.
Beverly Lynn, if you are there, what do you know about this? I really appreciate you as the "expert" on this board.
Robin M.

 

[jel0511]

Robin -

I can't really help you if the flight is oversold or not, but why don't you call Delta directly and tell them of your problem. I'm sure they would be able to reserve your seats now. We had a problem with our online seats with US Air and I called from the airport for our flight home to make sure we had seats together. The flight might be somewhat filled, so if you are flying with DH, I'd let the airline you'd like all seats together, but if you have to take 2 and 2. You might not be next to your whole family, but at least one of you will be with one of the kids. That's we had to do, it was annoying, but better than worrying about having a 4 month old sit alone, which is what we had to do on our flight out. Don't worry that this will happen to you, just call Delta and explain your situation, I'm sure they can help you out.

 

[seashoreCM]

The seating chart says zero seats remaining before all the seats are taken. This is because the airline holds back a few seats for such purposes as putting kids together with parents.

You don't have to keep calling the airline. If worst comes to worst, ask quietly for consecutive seats at the gate check in, then take whatever they give you and walk on board. Chances are no other passenger wants to sit next to an unaccompanied 4 month old and would gladly trade upon quiet request. The flight attendants might even announce over the PA if someone would like to trade. Also inflight, the passenger on the aisle who has to keep letting you out to check on your four month old will probably trade halfway through the flight.

I have the gut feeling that being bumped is extremely rare; on all my flights down (BOS-MCO) I volunteered and haven't succeeded yet.

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[Rock'n Robin]

Thanks. My youngest is 3 years old, but trust me, you wouldn't want to sit next to him on a plane. We have been split 2 and 3 before so it's not an issue (although my self-esteem suffers when all 3 kids want to sit by daddy!) I will try to call Delta when I get my itinerary and E tickets.
Robin M.

 

[ducklite]

Originally posted by seashoreCM
Also inflight, the passenger on the aisle who has to keep letting you out to check on your four month old will probably trade.

I do'nt know about that. I always get an aisle seat (the perks of being a high level FF miler on the carriers I fly ) and I'd rather get up and down a few times than give up that seat.

On the other hand, I think most people will do their best to move around to help out a family. Also, the emergency aisle seats are usually saved for gate seating assignments. DH and I often get these, giving up our A/C or D/F seats for it. I know a lot of other fliers are the same way, so you should be able to get placed in those vacated seats.

Anne