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

[PollyannaMom]

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

In the scenario this came from, I would have alerted the flight attendant to the accident and explained that there appeared to be a language barrier, to see if she could communicate with the mom about changing the kid. When the dad's presence was revealed, I would have been just as shocked as you!

In general, if I was next to a child seated by him or herself, I would probably go into "teacher mode," engage the kid in conversation and maybe even a pencil and paper game during the flight, and feel good about being useful.

If the kid actually told me their mom or dad didn't want to sit with them, I probably would judge them as a selfish parent (even though I know I shouldn't, and we could probably "what if" that scenario into a flurry of reasons why it would be acceptable, too!!) But in the moment, as my first reaction, I would likely feel sorry for the kid and do the same as above.

 

[kaytieeldr]

What if the person in the middle was sitting next to her own toddler in the window seat?

But seriously, we could "what if" all day. - I think we are all victims of an OP who decided to see how amusing this would get.

Interesting. Don't be a victim. Don't engage.

 

[PollyannaMom]

Interesting. Don't be a victim. Don't engage.

It's too late for me. - I was sucked in way back at the beginning! (Besides, I never said I wasn't entertained as well.)

 

[CPanther95]

An upgraded aisle seat on a full flight - further upgraded by having a small child in the middle seat next to you that won't be hogging knee-space and armrest-space????

Not only would I not move, but I'd insist that her child stay put.

 

[TLSnell1981]

Do you really think the OP would have come on the DIS to rant if the Mom has walked up to the OP and asked nicely to sit beside her 4 year old special needs child who gets airsick? And then politely walked away with an "I understand, have a nice flight" when the OP declined to trade seats?

I'm doubting, we will ever know the details...or that the OP will return to their thread.


So much for their "rant". IMO

 

[mummabear]

I don't think I'll explain why I find it annoying because I have this strange feeling you wouldn't understand....

I'm legitimately interested to know why the poster was being passive aggressive, is it pointing out the immediate karma the universe provided?

 

[Julie's Haircut]

If you ever want to amuse yourself, go to the FlyerTalk website and pick any airline you want. You'll find a whole host of complaining posts from mega frequent flyers who don't get free upgrades anymore because (gasp) airlines have figured out that people will pay for them instead and are offering these seats to other people on a paid basis. The derisively refer to these flyers as "kettles" (as in backwards people who don't know how to behave in the rarefied air of first class...LOL). I frequently will upgrade to first class (paid) because I enjoy the extra room, and more relaxed environment. I love that these seats are now available for somewhat reasonable prices. We are going on vacation in March and the price I paid for my first class seats is below the price currently being charged for coach seats (because I booked pretty far in advance). Yup, I will gladly be sitting in first for less than some people paid for their middle seat in the back.

I once paid for a first class upgrade at the airport check-in kiosk. I think it was under an hour before the departure time. After boarding and sitting down, some guy going toward coach gave me the stink-eye. I have a feeling he may have been on the top of the upgrade list and I "stole" his free upgrade at the last minute.

A warning about those reasonable first class fares, which I think you may already be aware. Those fares usually aren't true "F" fares, but rather in fare classes likes W or Z. The vast majority of the time, all goes well and you get to sit in First. But in case of irregular operations (weather, mechanical, etc.), the fine print says they're really coach fares with an upgrade feature. You may be rebooked in coach with no refund due. Or you may have to wait, sometimes a few days, before an open first class seat in that fare class becomes available.

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, all those things are out of a person's control and it's not their fault that snow cancelled thousands of flights. But it's not the fault of OP either. It's one of those "sucks to be you" moments, which can happen to anybody. Mom with a kid obviously old enough to sit alone doesn't trump the person who paid for the premium seat.

Flying to Florida to meet my family I once boarded a plane to find a "gentleman" in my seat. He informed me that he'd checked in too late for his family to sit together and he "needed" to sit with his "children" (two teens about 14 and 16) and told me I could just sit in his seat (another aisle seat further up on the opposite side) I had chosen my seat very deliberately because I was suffering from tendinitis in my left elbow and I wanted it protected from the aisle and possible bumps. I was only about 23 at the time and unwilling to argue so I took his seat. I sat with two lovely gentleman traveling on business who decided I must be a native Floridian because of my tan. I was happy to be away from the obnoxious teens who were loud through the entire flight but was rendered near tears when an FA bumped my elbow with the drink cart which was the scenario I was trying to avoid with my original seat selection (and the reason I had logged on exactly 24 hrs prior to my flight which the dad flat out admitted he didn't feel like doing) If that scenario or the OP's happened now - no way would I switch just because some mother needed to sit beside her snowflake. Sorry, not sorry.

Professional seat stealers count on people being too timid to put up a fight. Glad to hear you won't be intimidated the next time.

OK, the gist I'm getting here is everyone hates the middle seat. I would be totally willing to intentionally book a middle seat for say $75 off the airfare....less if the airfare is cheaper.

Are you listening Delta? I would be willing to purposefully book a middle seat for each member of my family, that's 4 people, for $75 less than the published fare per person.

Do we have a deal?

Unfortunately, not a snowball's chance. Why should they offer middle seats for $75 less when they can charge higher prices and still fill them?

 

[Turn the Page]

Unfortunately, not a snowball's chance. Why should they offer middle seats for $75 less when they can charge higher prices and still fill them?

No kidding. It was a joke. Did that really need the sarcasm font?

 

[tigercat]

I do need a wheelchair to get to and from the front of the airport and back. Usually I wait until everyone is off the plane before deplaning but sometimes I get off after most of the people are off and there are stragglers left. I need to get up and move my legs at that point.
On a flight from Heathrow to Toronto there were 50 wheelchair people going on this flight. When we landed in Toronto there were 2 of us. That was a rea miracle flight for sure.

 

[bsblady01]

What exactly does having kids have to do with it?

people that have kids do not act this way at all. This is one reason we do not fly with our kids

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

I learned something new. I have never seen a "miracle flight," but I bet after this thread my next trip will have a bunch of them. I just have never paid attention.

 

[mnrose]

I learned something new. I have never seen a "miracle flight," but I bet after this thread my next trip will have a bunch of them. I just have never paid attention.

Never been on a flight WITHOUT miracles. People are learning how to game the system and (mostly) getting away with it. I find it appalling.

 

[roseaster]

people that have kids do not act this way at all. This is one reason we do not fly with our kids

LMAO. I have FIVE children and a sixth on the way. There is no way I am giving up a seat for which I paid an extra fee.

Having children does not make anyone's needs a priority.

 

[Snap Crackle Pop]

people that have kids do not act this way at all. This is one reason we do not fly with our kids

Are you one of those people that think people with kids should come before those who don't have kids/aren't with their kids at the moment?

 

[AndieKay]

I learned something new. I have never seen a "miracle flight," but I bet after this thread my next trip will have a bunch of them. I just have never paid attention.

I'm reading all this thinking the same thing! I will have to pay more attention next time!!

 

[bsblady01]

Are you one of those people that think people with kids should come before those who don't have kids/aren't with their kids at the moment?

no but I would want my kids close to me.

 

[bsblady01]

LMAO. I have FIVE children and a sixth on the way. There is no way I am giving up a seat for which I paid an extra fee.

Having children does not make anyone's needs a priority.

we do not fly with our kids so this is a moot point for me. So you would allow a child to sit next too you and have their parents ten rows back. I would switch so I would not have to deal with an issue if something were to happen to the child during the flight

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I learned something new. I have never seen a "miracle flight," but I bet after this thread my next trip will have a bunch of them. I just have never paid attention.

I was a miracle on a miracle flight. Then later that night, I was ready to negotiate trading my crutches for someone's scooter. And by negotiate, I may have been tempted to commandeer. My ankle was MAD.

Return flight there was no miracle. Just extreme gratitude to the person who was my wheelchair helper.

 

[Snap Crackle Pop]

no but I would want my kids close to me.

Then I hope you would certainly ensure that your kids will be sitting next to you and you won't have that problem.

 

[Goofy_Disney_Dad]

people that have kids do not act this way at all. This is one reason we do not fly with our kids

I have kids and I would most certainly act this way under certain circumstances. I doubt I'm alone in that opinion based on other posts in this thread.