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

[mjkacmom]

Mine isn't so much claustrophobia in the clincial sense but I hate being crammed in and feeling like I can't get out. Now I have sat in middle seats before... but only once between strangers and I don't want to repeat that (1 hour flight from BWI to Albany when my connection was late so I didn't board early where I was supposed to).

Other times when I have been in the middle were fine, I did it between my mom and my DH once. No big deal at all. Because if I need to get up or move I know my family will move for me so I'm fine.

Most of the time I fly with DH I get the middle one way and he does the other. The other person has the aisle seat. So yes I'm by one stranger but again no one I don't know is blocking me from the aisle so its all good.

I just realized that I don't think I'm actually claustrophobic, but this
http://m.neogaf.com/showthread.php?t=425034

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

Lack of planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on mine.

And yes there was a blizzard. That they knew was coming days in advance. it wasn't a storm that suddenly popped up and everyone had to evacuate.

 

[monorailsilver]

Yup, me too. Dh is on the aisle. Middle-seaters unite!

Me too! We are a family of 5 so dh sits with 2 of the kids in one row and myself and the 3rd kid sit in another row and I get the middle. We sit one in front of the other.

Lately my mom has been flying with us to FL so we just do 3 & 3 knee in front of ther other. Last year when I booked on Delta, well when I booked for April 2015 on the first day I could, we were up in front of the wing on both flights but Delta kindly changed planes and we were behind the wing, all still together but I don't like the wing or,behind it one because you can't see land if on the wing and then I think back to all the years on the 80s of being behind the wing and I swear I could smell the jet fuel so I prefer in front.

I keep checking my jet blue flight for this April and we are still in the same seats that I bought the day they came out.

Here's a thought, if they change planes and need to change seats, maybe the airlines should change seats in order of who bought seats first in your class.

Oh and no, I have never been asked to move and most likely I would not move because I purposely bought seats to sit next to my dh/family. When I flew alone, I picked a window.

 

[Marionnette]

What about when things happen that are out of your control? How can you be personally responsible for an equipment change? For a flight delay that makes you miss your connecting flight? A blizzard that shuts down the whole east coast?

All of that is a possibility in the OP's case. It's certainly understandable that she may have been stranded at the airport and was placed on the next available flight. She also could have been scheduled for that flight originally and just didn't want to pay to choose her seats ahead of time. There's really no way of knowing.

But those circumstances still do not obligate anyone to forfeit their seat. As has been pointed out repeatedly in this thread, "seat changers" almost never offer a better seat in exchange for you giving up your seat to them. In the case of the OP, the mother could have offered her child's front-of-the-plane middle seat to someone further back in the plane in one of the middle seats near hers. But she didn't. She was focused on acquiring the seat next to her child, not in moving the child closer to her own seat.

 

[gwynne]

What about when things happen that are out of your control? How can you be personally responsible for an equipment change? For a flight delay that makes you miss your connecting flight? A blizzard that shuts down the whole east coast?

I've been there. Personal responsibility plays a role in unexpected delays, too.

I don't argue with gate agents, check-in agents, or phone representatives. Sometimes the best option is one I haven't heard or thought of.
I always say: Is there anything you would recommend to help get me on my way, I am very open to any and all suggestions.

Being open to suggestions meant one time I overflew my destination all the way to the west coast, had another connection and then flew back to my destination. It was a long day, but it got me out of an airport that was backed up with tons of delayed folks and on my way.

If there is any way to grab a seat, (when I've been rebooked) I do. I don't care where it it is, last row middle...I am happy to get it. In weather delays, making quick decisions is often beneficial.

If I have a genuine need, I briefly explain it. I did this when we had an equipment delay that meant we would overnight and get out the next morning. The ticket agent went out of her way to assist us, and her help was much appreciated.

Basically I try to be a reasonable, friendly person, even when things are out of our control. I am always astonished when passengers decide to take it out on the gate or ticket agent. They can be a much needed resource when things go south. I always remember that.

Finally, Yes, I've given up my seat to someone who had an obvious need in the past. If I am flying alone I am open to doing so again, depends on the circumstance and how someone asks. I get that they may have had unexpected travel delays.

 

[robinb]

Lack of planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on mine.

And yes there was a blizzard. That they knew was coming days in advance. it wasn't a storm that suddenly popped up and everyone had to evacuate.

Please illuminate me. How would you PLAN for taking a flight from FLL to NYC right after a blizzard when your original flight gets cancelled?

 

[robinb]

As has been pointed out repeatedly in this thread, "seat changers" almost never offer a better seat in exchange for you giving up your seat to them. In the case of the OP, the mother could have offered her child's front-of-the-plane middle seat to someone further back in the plane in one of the middle seats near hers. But she didn't. She was focused on acquiring the seat next to her child, not in moving the child closer to her own seat.

How do you know that? Maybe she started with the people around her and struck out there too.

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

Please illuminate me. How would you PLAN for taking a flight from FLL to NYC right after a blizzard when your original flight gets cancelled?

You wait for another flight. One that has two seats together.

Or, gasp, you fly before you planned to. Before the storm arrives.

(Edited to add) Or, just maybe, you suck it up and be glad you got on the flight.

This was not a freak storm that came up suddenly. We knew days in advance that it was coming and that it would be bad.

Oh, and before you ask, no, I am not childless. Yes, I have flown before. Yes, I have been bumped. Yes, I have been stuck in the middle seat between two strangers. And yes, I have waited for another flight, so I could get the seat I wanted.

 

[okeydokey]

What about when things happen that are out of your control? How can you be personally responsible for an equipment change? For a flight delay that makes you miss your connecting flight? A blizzard that shuts down the whole east coast?

Yes that is unfortunate, but still not a reason to demand someone change seats with you and expect to the free upgrade to a better seat. And no reason to get angry when that person declines.

 

[robinb]

You wait for another flight. One that has two seats together.

Oh, that's a good one! Seriously? People are just plain happy to get a seat these days even when there are no delays. Airlines run their flights so freaking full there are often no seats together on a later flight. Add the cancellations to the mix and I bet people are still just getting home.

Or, gasp, you fly before you planned to. Before the storm arrives.

Given the fright was from FLL to NYC, I would bet a significant number of the passengers were in the middle of the Caribbean when the storm hit.

 

[kamik86]

Please illuminate me. How would you PLAN for taking a flight from FLL to NYC right after a blizzard when your original flight gets cancelled?

Some optiosn depending on how much you want to get there.
1) If you have to be there by a certain time you check other airports. I flew FLL to ALB NY on Saturday Albany isn't all that far from NYC. That if just one airport I know of there may have been flights on others.
2) You plan for the possibility that you MAY get separated.
3) You be polite to those you ask for help and don't get upset if they decline
4) You offer those people some benefit. I have on SW had those that knew the FA would be unlikely to ask those to move on their behalf do it themselves with the same perk (Offer to give them a drink coupon or buy them a drink for moving) for example.

 

[Marionnette]

How do you know that? Maybe she started with the people around her and struck out there too.

You're correct. I made the assumption based on the OP saying that the woman's child "would be sitting" in the seat next to the OP. I read it to mean that the kid had boarded with Mom and neither had been seated yet when the mother began negotiating with the OP for their seat.

 

[TLSnell1981]

I can't wait to round up the grandkids for my next flight. Free first class here we come! I had no idea it was supposed to work this way...

Now, this has morphed into "mom was attempting to weasel her way into first class"?

cripe. I didn't know claustrophobia was such an epidemic in this country. seems like half the people on this forum are claustrophobic. dang.

Mor like, giving up control, over a situation with no escape. Probably not true claustrophobia and not an epidemic. A Xanax or stiff cocktail can ease the situation.

 

[jrmasm]

What about when things happen that are out of your control? How can you be personally responsible for an equipment change? For a flight delay that makes you miss your connecting flight? A blizzard that shuts down the whole east coast?

In that case, I would nicely ask airline personnel to assist me. I would not ask other passengers directly.

 

[soccerdad72]

You're correct. I made the assumption based on the OP saying that the woman's child "would be sitting" in the seat next to the OP. I read it to mean that the kid had boarded with Mom and neither had been seated yet when the mother began negotiating with the OP for their seat.

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.

 

[gwynne]

Now, this has morphed into "mom was attempting to weasel her way into first class"?

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

 

[asta]

I have thought of another reason to not switch seats. If you do this on your own without the FA handling it, you have no record that the seat you are sitting in is yours in the case of overbooking. We were on a flight where our seats were assigned to us and another couple. The wife in the other couple became very upset and demanded we get out of their seats. The FA had to calm her down but our ticket with the seat assignment kept us in the seat.

 

[ELSA711]

Personally I think the mom is crazy, if any one is lucky enough to sit next to one of my minions and I get a seat in the back of the plane away from them - I'm taking it!!

 

[Wishing on a star]

I know, soccerdad!!!

The thing is, TNsnell, using a child to get into First Class has, indeed, been tried!!!
Some people have no limits!!!!

I just don't begin to think that this was the type of situation faced by the OP.
Of course, after everyone started piling on, she won't come back.
But, I have never heard of paying more for an aisle seat. A seat in a forward 'premium' or 'comfort' type section.. yes... Aisle seat, NO.

Anybody who assumes that paying just a few extra bucks for basic seat-assignment/selection is a guarantee, these days, probably needs a HUGE wake-up call!

 

[TLSnell1981]

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

I'm quite aware. A DIS "tongue in cheek" emoticon would be helpful..for a few of us.