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

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

But what can another passenger do in a situation like this? I see two options: 1) give up their seat or 2) convince someone else to give up their seat.

Agreed. And for me personally I'm not in the business of guilting another passenger to give up their seat because I've declined to give up mine.

 

[LongLiveRafiki]

I understand that everyone has their reasons, but I actually do think some reasons trump others.

For instance, DS is older now, but when he was a baby, I needed to sit next to him, while I only wanted to sit next to DH. If we had planned 3 seats together, but circumstances had interfered, scattering us far apart would have been a major problem, but splitting us 2 and 1 would only have been a minor annoyance.

If importance falls along a scale even within one person's reason's, of course it would among a bunch of people's. (And I get that some of those more important reasons are medical issues for adults, not just children!)

I do agree with you and perhaps didn't word my post clearly. I meant that other passengers are rarely privy to the reasons why each passenger chooses the seat they do, and so it becomes nearly impossible (for other passengers) to fairly determine want vs need and level of importance. Absolutely, seating a toddler next to a parent should have higher priority than a healthy adult couple just wanting to sit together, but most times other passengers won't know if there are medical reasons that necessitate those two adults sitting together. I also really don't think it should be up to passengers to determine level of importance for the needs of others as most people are really only going to look out for what's best for themself and their own family.

That's why I think the best course of action is to discuss the issue with the gate agents prior to boarding, and ensure the flight attendants are aware as well if certain seating is required rather than relying on other passengers or judging them for not moving when you might not know what their reasons are for sitting where they are. If a toddler needs to sit with a parent and a handicapped adult needs to sit next to a caregiver, the needs of one should not necessarily trump the needs of another. It should be left up to the airline to determine the best way to accommodate everyone's needs.

 

[DisneyHardin]

I do agree with you and perhaps didn't word my post clearly. I meant that other passengers are rarely privy to the reasons why each passenger chooses the seat they do, and so it becomes nearly impossible (for other passengers) to fairly determine want vs need and level of importance. Absolutely, seating a toddler next to a parent should have higher priority than a healthy adult couple just wanting to sit together, but most times other passengers won't know if there are medical reasons that necessitate those two adults sitting together. I also really don't think it should be up to passengers to determine level of importance for the needs of others as most people are really only going to look out for what's best for themself and their own family.

That's why I think the best course of action is to discuss the issue with the gate agents prior to boarding, and ensure the flight attendants are aware as well if certain seating is required rather than relying on other passengers or judging them for not moving when you might not know what their reasons are for sitting where they are. If a toddler needs to sit with a parent and a handicapped adult needs to sit next to a caregiver, the needs of one should not necessarily trump the needs of another. It should be left up to the airline to determine the best way to accommodate everyone's needs.

I totally agree. My DH has a bad left knee, so I make sure to choose an aisle seat that allows him to extend his left leg out into the aisle if needed. He would be extremely uncomfortable if he had to sit in a different place on the plane and would most likely decline to trade with someone if they asked.

 

[chelynnah]

I cannot believe how many people here just say tough luck. Do any of you saying that actually have kids?

Her kids are 3. THREE years old. They cannot sit alone. You would not want them to sit alone, they would probably be terrified and cry half the time. Especially on an international flight. It is the airline’s responsibility. They got a different plane that could not accommodate the original bookings. The airline chose to change the plane. How on EARTH can you say, well too bad your 3 year olds should have to sit alone with no adult and the airline has no responsibility to fix that mistake? Because that’s what it is, their mistake. They can see the ages of those passengers when they bump them, they should have fixed it immediately.

And I’m sorry but a whole flight full of people for 20 minutes refused to help this poor mom? That is sad. Really sad.

I agree, but I feel the airline should have taken more initiative and responsibility to fix it. It was their issue, they should have sorted it, even if it meant offering incentives.

 

[maxiesmom]

I agree, but I feel the airline should have taken more initiative and responsibility to fix it. It was their issue, they should have sorted it, even if it meant offering incentives.

Exactly. I can't blame anyone for not wanting to move, especially on an international flight. I'm sure there are some solo people, but if I was flying overseas with my significant other, I'm sorry but I wouldn't move either. The airline messed up horribly.

 

[NFLDERS]

I totally agree. My DH has a bad left knee, so I make sure to choose an aisle seat that allows him to extend his left leg out into the aisle if needed. He would be extremely uncomfortable if he had to sit in a different place on the plane and would most likely decline to trade with someone if they asked.

This is ME in two weeks, 2 days time. I'm wishing I'd kept a silver coloured, foil like, large Christmas stocking I tossed downsizing years ago. It could be seen as something self explanatory!

 

[Alberta bound]

Demand I move, Forget it!!!

Ask nicely, then depending on where the seat is, there is a good chance I will.

 

[gwynne]

I agree, but I feel the airline should have taken more initiative and responsibility to fix it. It was their issue, they should have sorted it, even if it meant offering incentives.

On rare occasions, if the passenger (through no fault of their own) isn't accommodated, it's not a bad idea to ask if a later flight/alternate itinerary might be an option.

 

[lady9]

Our flight was late getting in so we were the last to board our connecting flight. We had 3 seats together and one across the aisle. There was a gentleman (and I use that word loosely) sitting in my son's window seat. The flight was full and he saw us coming so pretended to be asleep when I was telling him politely he was in the wrong seat. The FA said one of us could have his middle seat several rows back. I said we booked these seats 6 months ago, and he needed to move. She tapped him on the shoulder many times before he finally acknowledged her enough to say, "No thank you, I don't care to move." Finally after a male FA insisted he move, he did. My carry on had to be gate checked due to space so I had no book, nothing on the 3 hour flight. When we landed I saw he had 2 carry ons and 2 boxes! This was before airlines charged for carry ons. But Karma got him! As we were deplaning he pushed his was through the packed aisle, knocked over my 9 year old daughter and an older lady who fell into a row of seats. When we got off he was sitting with all his carry ons on a cart to go to baggage claim screaming at the driver to go. I guess he was to into himself to hear we had a baggage claim change so we saw him head to the original carousel. We were missing one bag so went into the airline office to make a claim. He comes storming in demanding to file a claim for his luggage and NOW as he had people waiting to pick him up. The attendant said he'd have to wait. At that point he said he's never flying Continental again. (This was when Continental and United were merging.) She said, "Oh the Continental office is at the other end" so he left. I laughed and said, he'll be back and when he does, tell him those are his bags over there going around carousel B. We waltzed out of the airport as he was stomping back to the original office.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Our flight was late getting in so we were the last to board our connecting flight. We had 3 seats together and one across the aisle. There was a gentleman (and I use that word loosely) sitting in my son's window seat. The flight was full and he saw us coming so pretended to be asleep when I was telling him politely he was in the wrong seat. The FA said one of us could have his middle seat several rows back. I said we booked these seats 6 months ago, and he needed to move. She tapped him on the shoulder many times before he finally acknowledged her enough to say, "No thank you, I don't care to move." Finally after a male FA insisted he move, he did. My carry on had to be gate checked due to space so I had no book, nothing on the 3 hour flight. When we landed I saw he had 2 carry ons and 2 boxes! This was before airlines charged for carry ons. But Karma got him! As we were deplaning he pushed his was through the packed aisle, knocked over my 9 year old daughter and an older lady who fell into a row of seats. When we got off he was sitting with all his carry ons on a cart to go to baggage claim screaming at the driver to go. I guess he was to into himself to hear we had a baggage claim change so we saw him head to the original carousel. We were missing one bag so went into the airline office to make a claim. He comes storming in demanding to file a claim for his luggage and NOW as he had people waiting to pick him up. The attendant said he'd have to wait. At that point he said he's never flying Continental again. (This was when Continental and United were merging.) She said, "Oh the Continental office is at the other end" so he left. I laughed and said, he'll be back and when he does, tell him those are his bags over there going around carousel B. We waltzed out of the airport as he was stomping back to the original office.

To be fair that's not quite what most people are talking about. Clearly people shouldn't be sitting in someone else's assigned seat. That's not the same thing as the guy in your story sitting in his assigned seat but being asked to move to accommodate you if you wanted seats together to sit next to your child.

FWIW sounds like he was a jerk though and it wouldn't matter how long ago you booked the seats as you booked specific ones (that's all that should matter). Sorry you had to deal with that.

Also for me I need my headphones and a book (or nowadays more likely a kindle so I don't have to have the light on) so even if I had to gate check my carry on those items would be in my hand/person. *I know hindsight 20/20.

 

[RedSox68]

Our flight was late getting in so we were the last to board our connecting flight. We had 3 seats together and one across the aisle. There was a gentleman (and I use that word loosely) sitting in my son's window seat. The flight was full and he saw us coming so pretended to be asleep when I was telling him politely he was in the wrong seat. The FA said one of us could have his middle seat several rows back. I said we booked these seats 6 months ago, and he needed to move. She tapped him on the shoulder many times before he finally acknowledged her enough to say, "No thank you, I don't care to move." Finally after a male FA insisted he move, he did. My carry on had to be gate checked due to space so I had no book, nothing on the 3 hour flight. When we landed I saw he had 2 carry ons and 2 boxes! This was before airlines charged for carry ons. But Karma got him! As we were deplaning he pushed his was through the packed aisle, knocked over my 9 year old daughter and an older lady who fell into a row of seats. When we got off he was sitting with all his carry ons on a cart to go to baggage claim screaming at the driver to go. I guess he was to into himself to hear we had a baggage claim change so we saw him head to the original carousel. We were missing one bag so went into the airline office to make a claim. He comes storming in demanding to file a claim for his luggage and NOW as he had people waiting to pick him up. The attendant said he'd have to wait. At that point he said he's never flying Continental again. (This was when Continental and United were merging.) She said, "Oh the Continental office is at the other end" so he left. I laughed and said, he'll be back and when he does, tell him those are his bags over there going around carousel B. We waltzed out of the airport as he was stomping back to the original office.

I don't think the term "self-involved jerk" is strong enough for this guy!

 

[Albort]

i was on an international flight on a B777, the rows were situated as 2-4-2. My grandma passed away a day before our flight, my mom was originally sitting next to me so she cancelled her ticket. We tried to move my dad into her seat but the seat was already given away to someone. I had the window seat, mom had aisle, dad had aisle on the middle seats. We found a guy sitting in my mom's seat, asked if he would be willing to sit in my dad's seat. he looked at it... then said no.

Lets just say, i had to pee quite a bit... :]

 

[Allison]

i was on an international flight on a B777, the rows were situated as 2-4-2. My grandma passed away a day before our flight, my mom was originally sitting next to me so she cancelled her ticket. We tried to move my dad into her seat but the seat was already given away to someone. I had the window seat, mom had aisle, dad had aisle on the middle seats. We found a guy sitting in my mom's seat, asked if he would be willing to sit in my dad's seat. he looked at it... then said no.

Lets just say, i had to pee quite a bit... :]

Well, the person that says something about really isn't the other guy. He had been put in that seat, correct? So, because he didn't switch his seat, you messed with him?

 

[anneboleyn]

i was on an international flight on a B777, the rows were situated as 2-4-2. My grandma passed away a day before our flight, my mom was originally sitting next to me so she cancelled her ticket. We tried to move my dad into her seat but the seat was already given away to someone. I had the window seat, mom had aisle, dad had aisle on the middle seats. We found a guy sitting in my mom's seat, asked if he would be willing to sit in my dad's seat. he looked at it... then said no.

Lets just say, i had to pee quite a bit... :]

That’s not really something you should be proud of. That guy had every right to not want to move seats.

 

[Albort]

That’s not really something you should be proud of. That guy had every right to not want to move seats.

your right, but inconsiderate imo. it was an aisle to aisle seat trade.

 

[anneboleyn]

your right, but inconsiderate imo. it was an aisle to aisle seat trade.

I don’t even think it was inconsiderate. That guy was assigned the seat and was under no obligation to move.

 

[LongLiveRafiki]

your right, but inconsiderate imo. it was an aisle to aisle seat trade.

At the same time, it sounds like it was a seat with the aisle on the left that one person was in and a seat with the aisle on the right that the other person was in. Many people need an aisle seat on a particular side due to pain or mobility issues that affect one side of the body.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

your right, but inconsiderate imo. it was an aisle to aisle seat trade.

But you're only annoyed because he wouldn't move to suit your needs. You still considered that your mom's seat rather than a seat previously booked for your mom. I think it's totally ok to ask to move seats but don't get miffed and certaintly don't play games with someone because they wouldn't move-that reflects more poorly on you rather than another passenger.

 

[Domo]

The question remains: what if a turkey wants to sit next to you?

 

[anneboleyn]

The question remains: what if a turkey wants to sit next to you?

I would rather sit next to a turkey than some of the nuts that are on the plane.