RANT: I don't care if you want to sit next to your kids on the airplane

[Goofy_Disney_Dad]

No, it's just @Goofy_Disney_Dad having a bit of fun. Not serious at all.

I really thought it was rather obvious.

 

[Missy1961]

A lot of assumptions are being made on this thread.

11 pages of arguing over a rant that the OP dropped and then never responded again to.

I noticed that too. Interesting.

 

[BLAZEY]

We were flying on Air Canada and our ticket price included picking our seats. I did DD was in the window (A), me in the aisle seat next to her(C) then DH across the aisle in an aisle seat(D) as well. 10:30am flight YVR to LAX. Seat configured AC DF. Get an email 10:30 flight cancelled, we are rebooked on the 7:30am flight. We have the same seat assignments Yay! However the seat configuration is now ABC DEF, but didn't know until we boarded. Installed DD"s car seat in her assigned seat, I sit in my aisle seat, DH across in his. Seat B is empty until some poor lady looked at her seat, the one between DD & I. I need an aisle seat as I use the lavatory frequently. I ask DH if he would sit with us in the middle seat. The lady was extremely relieved that DH said he would sit in the middle seat as he was under no obligation to. I was fine with DD in the window seat, and me on the aisle. Some times it goes the other way. We had paid for seats to sit with our child, but sometimes things happen and it doesn't work out as planned.

 

[gottaluvPluto]

I would not have changed either. I also don't think it is selfish to keep something you paid for.

Off topic, has anyone been on a miracle flight? I have only been on one. We had 20 wheelchairs for boarding, but when we landed only 5 wheelchairs were used leaving the other 15 waiting. My own FIL will bring a cane and act like he needs assistance just to get special treatment when flying.

 

[TLSnell1981]

I would not have changed either. I also don't think it is selfish to keep something you paid for.

Off topic, has anyone been on a miracle flight? I have only been on one. We had 20 wheelchairs for boarding, but when we landed only 5 wheelchairs were used leaving the other 15 waiting. My own FIL will bring a cane and act like he needs assistance just to get special treatment when flying.

The abuse is sad and irritating.

MIL "thinks" she's receiving a "perk". It's the only way, she will use special assistance without an argument. She has Alzheimer's disease and mobility issues. EVERYONE benefits when she uses a wheelchair...promise. We get from point A to B...no "moments"or falls and she doesn't wander off.

 

[hollieplus2]

This happened to me once. I was flying with DS who was about 3-4 at the time and our flight left late due to mechanical issues and we missed our connecting flight. I had seats booked together the whole way however on the new flight we were separated by about 7 or so rows with him behind me. The gate agent told me to work it out with the flight attendant. We both had aisle seats and I was willing to trade my aisle for the middle seat next to my son but he declined. I was very polite about it, asked him if he wanted my aisle seat so he wouldn't have to put up with a toddler but he already had his paperwork set up and appeared to be working and was a little short and said no. Alright, above my comfort level but it's not like my kid can disappear on the plane and everyone now knew he belonged to me so I sat back and enjoyed the quiet while Mr. Businessman got an ear full of my chatty son ALL FLIGHT LONG. I looked back at one point and he was trying to sit in his lap and show him his batman toy. I just smiled and waved.

 

[JoeA]

I would not have changed either. I also don't think it is selfish to keep something you paid for.

Off topic, has anyone been on a miracle flight? I have only been on one. We had 20 wheelchairs for boarding, but when we landed only 5 wheelchairs were used leaving the other 15 waiting. My own FIL will bring a cane and act like he needs assistance just to get special treatment when flying.

Man, that really was a miracle flight! They were healed!!

 

[amg35]

This happened to me once. I was flying with DS who was about 3-4 at the time and our flight left late due to mechanical issues and we missed our connecting flight. I had seats booked together the whole way however on the new flight we were separated by about 7 or so rows with him behind me. The gate agent told me to work it out with the flight attendant. We both had aisle seats and I was willing to trade my aisle for the middle seat next to my son but he declined. I was very polite about it, asked him if he wanted my aisle seat so he wouldn't have to put up with a toddler but he already had his paperwork set up and appeared to be working and was a little short and said no. Alright, above my comfort level but it's not like my kid can disappear on the plane and everyone now knew he belonged to me so I sat back and enjoyed the quiet while Mr. Businessman got an ear full of my chatty son ALL FLIGHT LONG. I looked back at one point and he was trying to sit in his lap and show him his batman toy. I just smiled and waved.

Did you ask the person sitting next to you to take your son's aisle seat so he could sit by you?
I would switch for a mom and a toddler, but for whatever reason the man didn't want to (his right) and your passive-aggressive wave is kind of annoying.

 

[gottaluvPluto]

The abuse is sad and irritating.

MIL "thinks" she's receiving a "perk". It's the only way, she will use special assistance without an argument. She has Alzheimer's disease and mobility issues. EVERYONE benefits when she uses a wheelchair...promise. We get from point A to B...no "moments"or falls and she doesn't wander off.

Great thinking on your part for telling MIL about the perk. My mom has started going down the road of Alzheimer's, but I am hoping the medicine will help her.

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

I would not have changed either. I also don't think it is selfish to keep something you paid for.

Off topic, has anyone been on a miracle flight? I have only been on one. We had 20 wheelchairs for boarding, but when we landed only 5 wheelchairs were used leaving the other 15 waiting. My own FIL will bring a cane and act like he needs assistance just to get special treatment when flying.

Every time I fly from Tampa to Albany during the summer months.

 

[mnrose]

Man, that really was a miracle flight! They were healed!!

We've all seen these flights right? All the people who need "extra time" to get down the jetway to board are the first ones in aisle when the plane lands, and will elbow people to get off that plane first. Miracle! Planes are very healing, apparently. I'd love it if all those people who need "extra time" are FORCED to wait and deplane last. Sure, there are people who absolutely need the time and assistance, but there are always about an equal number who just want first crack at those bins. LOL

 

[DisneyCowgirl]

I don't understand all the hatred towards the OP. I book early and carefully select my seats. Sometimes I pay extra for a premium seat. I might book a different flight if no aisle seats are available. If I fly SW, I usually pay extra for early bird. Why then should I be expected to move to accommodate someone who did not do this? Move to a similar seat--no problem. But to be expected to move to a lesser seat just because someone asks is not reasonable. The description the OP gave does not give an indication that there was any urgency that these 2 sit together. If there is some special reason--small child, a disability, etc--then, yes, I'd probably move.

BUT the right thing for the woman to have done would be to ask the person in the middle seat of her row to change seats with her child.

 

[Flamingeaux]

My last flight experience is the opposite of the OP. On a Saturday my mother had a heart attack and was it was only a short matter of time before should would pass. We had a family wedding across the country the next weekend. Mom passed late that Thursday night. I had to rush home after getting my dad settled in at home and pack for our Friday morning flight. Flew into Seattle and drove to our hotel and got dressed for the rehearsal dinner. I had no idea where I was going but somehow made it there. After eating and doing all the social things I had to leave from sheer emotional and physical exhaustion. Got up the next morning and drive to Tacoma for the wedding. The whole day was exhausting and that night I again basically passed out once hitting the bed. Got up the next morning and just barely made our flight and plopped down in my seat. I had a seat by myself while my wife and kids were in the back. I have an aisle seat. Two elderly ladies have their seats where I am in the middle. One next to me while the other had the opposite aisle seat. Graciously I offer to move to either of their seats so they can either sit together or both have the aisle seats. They get into a big argument over this and finally decide to just seat in their assigned seats. After a while one of the ladies tells me she purposely arranged their seats so they wouldn't be together. At this time I don't care and I zone out by watching and not listening to some Zac Efron movie they are showing. It gets to a point where the lady in the movie has a breakdown over her dead husband or so I gathered this was what was going on. At this point I have my emotional release over my mom's passing. The tears are flowing like you wouldn't believe. You should have seen the look on the two ladies faces. This shut them up for most of the trip. Thank goodness because at this point there is no telling how I would have reacted to anything.

 

[rwdavis2]

I mainly browse Delta, but the complaints are exactly the same. The savvy ones realize that if they want their upgrades, they are going to have to pay (and they often get offered them for less $$$ than the kettles pay), but the days of the free upgrades are just about gone. From the airlines perspective, they are completely unnecessary. They fly full whether or not they give free upgrades so why not monetize your first class perks. Makes tons of sense. And, since there is less and less competition in the flying world (with more and more consolidation) it's only going to get worse. As a practical matter, if I want to fly from MSP, it's going to be Delta. Anywhere else involves connections (and sometimes more than one). The ONLY other choice I have for non-stops to more than a handful of destinations is Sun Country, and the problem with them is that they typically have only one one flight per day, or even one flight per week, to where they fly. If there are equipment or weather delays, forget about it. This is true at almost any airport....usually ONE choice, and maybe a "discount" carriers (like Southwest). But, the legacy carriers have near monopolies on the airports they serve.

Exactly. IMHO, That's why some first class seats have come down significantly in price. Why give it away for free when someone will pay for it. Although expensive we bought first class from BWI to SEA for $1300 round trip on United. A few years ago they would have been several times that price.

 

[DisneyCowgirl]

No one would expect you to leave a 2 year old alone. It must have been very frustrating trying to work through the changes. This is the kind of thing gate agents work hard to fix. They understand this is not acceptable. Glad the agent was able to get 2 seats together. Please know gate agents will always continue to work an issue like this until it's fixed. (Either seats with at least one parent on this flight or booked on another one.)
It's entirely possible my tip below wouldn't have helped, but it's good to know going forward.

I've learned to do a quick check on our booked flights about once a week. It allows me to catch changes usually before an email goes out. (And sometimes they never email...) Changes in equipment or schedule, I like to have first pick of getting things fixed. If it's equipment change, I may need to re-select seats together. The computer system doesn't always put us together or in the part of the plane we prefer.
If it's schedule, sometimes the change they have made is fine, sometimes it's not. If the timing is a problem-and I'm eligible for a change- I call and choose a better flight time. (I look up the options online ahead of time. Usually they will go with my choice as long as it fits within the rules.)

This doesn't solve every problem in the book, but it's helped me many, many times, and maybe it will help someone else.

This is such good advice. We booked a romantic anniversary trip to Europe several months out, and the airline kept making changes and each time they separate DH and me. And one of the changes they made left us with about 15 minutes to make a connection. I just kept checking, moving our seats back together and called the airline about the 15 minute plane change problem.

 

[mummabear]

Did you ask the person sitting next to you to take your son's aisle seat so he could sit by you?
I would switch for a mom and a toddler, but for whatever reason the man didn't want to (his right) and your passive-aggressive wave is kind of annoying.

Why is it annoying? The person made their own choice to end up in the situation

 

[alliecat523]

But, when you have booked an upgraded (Delta Comfort) seat, are they not supposed to give you a new seat that is also upgraded? Did they refund you the money that you had paid for the Delta Comfort? (or whatever they call that section)

Nope. It's clearly noted that if there is a change to your flight (change of aircraft, itinerary change, etc) you may lose the premium seat with no compensation. You agree to that when you click to purchase.

 

[Praying Colonel]

We've all seen these flights right? All the people who need "extra time" to get down the jetway to board are the first ones in aisle when the plane lands, and will elbow people to get off that plane first. Miracle! Planes are very healing, apparently. I'd love it if all those people who need "extra time" are FORCED to wait and deplane last. Sure, there are people who absolutely need the time and assistance, but there are always about an equal number who just want first crack at those bins. LOL

That happened on our flight to MCO a couple of weeks ago. A couple of passengers were wheeled on first and sat up front, but when we landed they insisted they were wanting off first and didn't need assistance. The FA insisted that since they needed assistance to get on the plane, the FA would insure they got the help they needed to leave the plane, but others with no issues would deplane first so she could focus on giving them the assistance they needed. I wanted to give her a high-five.

 

[Halloweenqueen]

My recent experience offers a different spin on this topic.

I traveled from Seattle to Orlando by myself last December. Our plane was full and I was in one of the last zones to board. I could hear a kid having a fit on the plane as I made my way to my seat. I thought to myself that I probably would have the bad luck of sitting next to him. Of course I was the lucky one. Mom was sitting at the window with Junior, a boy about 2-3, sitting in the middle seat. Junior was speaking Italian, but it was easy to understand he was unhappy.

Junior would alternate between jumping in his seat or kicking the seat in front of him. I totally sympathized with Mom. I've been there myself, so I hoped he would calm down once the plane got in the air. Our flight was delayed for some reason and we sat for another 15 minutes or so. I took advantage of the airport wifi and tried to occupy my time. Suddenly I was hit with the distinct smell of poo. Junior had an accident. I turned to Mom and told I would stand up so she could use the bathroom. She just gave me a blank stare. Maybe she was afraid of getting up so close to take off or maybe there was a language barrier, I thought.

I was getting sick from the smell and people around us were starting to make comments. Finally the plane takes off and the seatbelt sign is turned off. Junior is screaming now and I get up just to take in some fresh air. Still no movement from Mom. I get back in my seat and just sit and close my eyes...trying to not get mad at this overwhelmed, but clueless mom. It took her almost an hour into the flight before she finally pointed for me to let her into the aisle.

They return with clean clothes, but Junior is still having a tantrum. Luckily Mom takes the middle seat and Junior starts playing with the window shade. Beverages are served and it takes 30 seconds for Junior to kick Mom's tray and send her water (thank goodness it was water) all over me. Mom doesn't even offer any look of remorse, as I offer her some of my kleenex to wipe Junior's juice off her lap.

Now pay attention to this part of the story.....A man walks up to our row and says to Mom, "I'm going to the bathroom, should I take him along?" Mom answers in perfect English, "yes, and put this shirt on him". She then passes Junior over me. I turn to her and ask, "Is that your husband?" She says yes. I tell her that he can have my seat when he returns. I look behind me and see an aisle seat three rows behind ours. I gather my things and stand up...overjoyed that I can enjoy the last two hours of my flight. Dad returns and I tell him he can have my seat. He stops me and tells me that he was taking a nap and will NOT change seats with me.

The people around us, just stare at Dad in disbelief! I sit back down, shocked that Dad would subject a stranger to his son's bad behavior. Junior screams for another hour before it is revealed to all of us that he wants to nurse. Mom reluctantly nurses him to sleep while Junior's head is practically in my lap! (I have no problem with nursing, just the invasion of space)

So my question is this....how would you feel if a parent intentionally wanted to sit away from their child?

 

[gwynne]

But, when you have booked an upgraded (Delta Comfort) seat, are they not supposed to give you a new seat that is also upgraded? Did they refund you the money that you had paid for the Delta Comfort? (or whatever they call that section)

Nope. It's clearly noted that if there is a change to your flight (change of aircraft, itinerary change, etc) you may lose the premium seat with no compensation. You agree to that when you click to purchase.

My personal experience on this issue:
When there is an equipment change or itinerary change my Comfort Plus seating follows me. If it doesn't, I call and get it corrected. If it's not available, I've gotten a refund. These things were not my fault, they were due to the airline making changes.

Soon (After May 16, 2016) Comfort Plus will be a bookable class all it's own, so it won't be an "extra".