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

[Mkrop]

I fundamentally disagree with this mentality. I think airlines should ensure that all children are sat with an accompanying adult and they should move loan adults if this is necessary.

If there is any kind of airborne emergency then the correct place for a child is beside the adult responsible for them. Also I have been on many many planes where kids are actually sick and it needs a parent.

An adults desire to sit in an aisle seat is not more important than a minor child being properly supervised and supported. I hate this attitude.

However, I think it should be up to the airline to ensure that all children have appropriate supervision not on random parents to go around asking people to move. It should be policy that accompanied children seat beside those who accompany them.

SMH on this one...I truly do not get WHY this would not be the PARENT'S responsibility. Did the parent do everything in their control to be assured that they were seated together?

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

DH experienced something like this on USAir. He was on a flight home and was seated in the aisle. Mom gets on with her 2 6 to 8 year old boys. They were seated next to DH, mom was 2 seats up and on the other side. She puts them in their seats. DH offers to switch with her. She declines. DH is floored. These two hellions misbehaved the WHOLE flight and mom never so much as glanced back.

I am in the camp that I dont think people should have to move, especially demand it. Tell me your unfortunate circumstances (missed connection, bad weather etc) and I will consider it but to demand...no way no how. I have read too many stories here and on Facebook of people telling folks not to bother to buy the early bird check in, just make someone move to save money. They use their children as threats.

DH is a magnet for being asked even though he always pays for EBCI or a seat assignment. He is now getting sick and tired of it because it never works in his favor and yet some here would see him as the bad guy. Here are some examples besides the one above:

USAir: we are seated 3 across, me, DS, DS and then DH is across the aisle. Mom comes with toddler twins and asks DH to move to a middle seat so her husband can help with the kids. DH feels bad and moves. Well the twins were a nightmare, but they also had grandma and auntie with them...WHY couldnt one of them go to that seat so the father could help. So I mention to DH as we get off the plane that it was a good move to move as the twins were not well behaved and it was musical chairs but he says no, he was stuck btw a family who screamed at each other and passed everything to each other over him and used his ear as a megaphone. He was so frustrated when he got off. He got hit and his seat kicked the entire flight.

SW: same seating, DH is across from us, and he sees a mom with a toddler and a 12 yr old boarding, they are boarding in C and there is no where for all 3 to sit together. So once again DH is nice and gives up his seat, because there is actually an aisle left a few rows behind. This mom is very grateful. BUT DH gets seated near family from HECK! Mom tells all the kids to get their barf bags ready and not to throw on this guy(DH), they kicked his seat, passed things over him, Mom was screaming homework help to the kid behind her. And then one of the kids needs something from the overhead bin and DH gets nailed on the head with the kid's bag. The FAs were falling all over themselves offering DH free drinks and mouthing they were sorry. DH couldnt even drink because he had to drive home and it was snowing when we got home.

So the next time someone says NO think of these stories and maybe just maybe the person is done being a nice guy and just wants to sit with his family in the seat he PAID for for once!

 

[Disney Doll]

My thoughts:
If you "demand" anything from me, you're not getting it, particularly if you are an obnoxious stranger who I am never going to see again.

If I paid extra for some kind of special seat (extra leg room or whatever) then I would switch IF the seat I was moving to was the same level or better. If it was a lesser seat, then sorry, I'm not moving.

 

[CPanther95]

My thoughts:
If you "demand" anything from me, you're not getting it, particularly if you are an obnoxious stranger who I am never going to see again.

I agree, but for some reason I doubt the subject in the OP actually "demanded" anything. Most people making demands aren't characterized as making "passive aggressive" comments trying to guilt someone into giving them what they want.

I suspect it was worded that way because there was some regret, or guilt, about the way it had been handled by the OP and this entire thread was just so that guilt could be assuaged.

 

[maxiesmom]

I agree, but for some reason I doubt the subject in the OP actually "demanded" anything. Most people making demands aren't characterized as making "passive aggressive" comments trying to guilt someone into giving them what they want.

I suspect it was worded that way because there was some regret, or guilt, about the way it had been handled by the OP and this entire thread was just so that guilt could be assuaged.

I don't agree. The OP has nothing to feel guilty over, for one. For two, it is common enough for people to decide to not pay for EBCI on Southwest and expect people to move so that they can sit next to their child(ren). Goodness knows they aren't shy about posting that intent. It is fairly common on the transportation board for people to post things like "Well, they can just watch my kid then. They like to talk all the time. Have fun!" or "Good luck when my child pukes. Maybe that will teach them to trade!"

 

[Dread Pirate]

Really? We've been taking SW flights more recently and on many of the flights that I've been on, if there is a split in the family with kids that appear to be younger than 8 that would have to sit by themselves, they've always came on the intercom and asked for two seats together for them.

That happened to me once, and I looked at the guy sitting next to me, and asked if he'd be interested in moving if I did, so that the mom could sit with her young daughter. He agreed, so we volunteered. Both of us were flying alone.

We both got vouchers to use toward a future flight, and excellent service (and drinks!) from the crew. I was told it was nice for them to have someone volunteer, since usually they have to bribe people beforehand to get them to switch seats.

 

[Mkrop]

I agree, but for some reason I doubt the subject in the OP actually "demanded" anything. Most people making demands aren't characterized as making "passive aggressive" comments trying to guilt someone into giving them what they want.

I suspect it was worded that way because there was some regret, or guilt, about the way it had been handled by the OP and this entire thread was just so that guilt could be assuaged.

The lady with the toddler twins in the post I made above was pretty obnoxious in her asking my DH to move. Used her kids as threats, then when DH kind of looked at her like are you crazy, she then got all worried and nice asking for the dad to be able to help her, and there she was with two other able bodied adults to help too.

And like Maxiemom said above go check out a SW EBCI thread on the Transportation board and you will see examples of people trying to get around the fee

 

[awalker1015]

I guess I've been lucky not to encounter any of the scenarios I've read here. As far as the OP, I interpreted it that the flight was on the tail of the weather cancellations. And thus there wasn't a lot of opportunity for the family in question to make any request or upgrades as far as seating goes. That said, yes, I would move if nicely asked. Because if unusual circumstances warranted I would hope someone would do the same for me.

 

[Allons-y!]

I agree, but for some reason I doubt the subject in the OP actually "demanded" anything. Most people making demands aren't characterized as making "passive aggressive" comments trying to guilt someone into giving them what they want.

I suspect it was worded that way because there was some regret, or guilt, about the way it had been handled by the OP and this entire thread was just so that guilt could be assuaged.

Wow, were you there? Or are you just accusing the OP of lying?

 

[tinkerbellandeeyor]

Honestly do me a favor don't use your kid as a pawn just ask I don't care where I sit as long as I have a seat

 

[justgrace]

SMH on this one...I truly do not get WHY this would not be the PARENT'S responsibility. Did the parent do everything in their control to be assured that they were seated together?



DH experienced something like this on USAir. He was on a flight home and was seated in the aisle. Mom gets on with her 2 6 to 8 year old boys. They were seated next to DH, mom was 2 seats up and on the other side. She puts them in their seats. DH offers to switch with her. She declines. DH is floored. These two hellions misbehaved the WHOLE flight and mom never so much as glanced back.

I am in the camp that I dont think people should have to move, especially demand it. Tell me your unfortunate circumstances (missed connection, bad weather etc) and I will consider it but to demand...no way no how. I have read too many stories here and on Facebook of people telling folks not to bother to buy the early bird check in, just make someone move to save money. They use their children as threats.

DH is a magnet for being asked even though he always pays for EBCI or a seat assignment. He is now getting sick and tired of it because it never works in his favor and yet some here would see him as the bad guy. Here are some examples besides the one above:

USAir: we are seated 3 across, me, DS, DS and then DH is across the aisle. Mom comes with toddler twins and asks DH to move to a middle seat so her husband can help with the kids. DH feels bad and moves. Well the twins were a nightmare, but they also had grandma and auntie with them...WHY couldnt one of them go to that seat so the father could help. So I mention to DH as we get off the plane that it was a good move to move as the twins were not well behaved and it was musical chairs but he says no, he was stuck btw a family who screamed at each other and passed everything to each other over him and used his ear as a megaphone. He was so frustrated when he got off. He got hit and his seat kicked the entire flight.

SW: same seating, DH is across from us, and he sees a mom with a toddler and a 12 yr old boarding, they are boarding in C and there is no where for all 3 to sit together. So once again DH is nice and gives up his seat, because there is actually an aisle left a few rows behind. This mom is very grateful. BUT DH gets seated near family from HECK! Mom tells all the kids to get their barf bags ready and not to throw on this guy(DH), they kicked his seat, passed things over him, Mom was screaming homework help to the kid behind her. And then one of the kids needs something from the overhead bin and DH gets nailed on the head with the kid's bag. The FAs were falling all over themselves offering DH free drinks and mouthing they were sorry. DH couldnt even drink because he had to drive home and it was snowing when we got home.

So the next time someone says NO think of these stories and maybe just maybe the person is done being a nice guy and just wants to sit with his family in the seat he PAID for for once!

Your poor husband!! That's just awful! No wonder why he is getting tired of it.

 

[CPanther95]

Wow, were you there? Or are you just accusing the OP of lying?

Not at all. But what some people call "demanding", 95% of the public would call "asking".

... and based on the very limited info given, it seems that's the case here.

 

[tarheel618]

If I paid extra for early check in or a specific seat I am not giving it up. Other people had the same opportunity to do so. This is the same as a full bus at Disney. If I skip a full bus so that I can have a seat on the next one- I'm not giving it up because you decided to get on the full bus.

 

[Allons-y!]

Not at all. But what some people call "demanding", 95% of the public would call "asking".

... and based on the very limited info given, it seems that's the case here.

I see nothing in the OP, which is all the information we have to go on, to make assumptions as you are doing.

It sounds like you are one of those who asks/demands people to move.

(BTW, Did you like that assumption about you? I'm guessing not. And I don't actually believe it. But it's as realistic as your accusation against the OP because it's based on just about as much info as you are using to say that he/she wasn't representing the situation accurately.)

 

[Nancyg56]

I am not sure what I would do. I think it depends on the ages of the kids, the seat I have, and how I was asked. In December we were on a SWA flight that was filled with Cheers. There was a group that was separated and the adults in charge was hard pressed to keep them in together in any area of the plane. Most of us either pushed together, or moved to make it easier for the adults to keep an eye on the kids. No one was shy or rude, and even thought he kids were not "young" they were Tweens. I was impressed that for the most part, the older kids simply got up and made space for the younger ones.

Now on a flight a few years ago the last guy to enter the plane (SWA) bent batcrap nuts because his seat was the last one open....near the bathroom in teh back of the plane. He was threatening to get off if the FA did not get someone to give him a seat. Good luck with that one Buddy! LOL!!! He insisted he checked in 24 hours to the second before the flight....yep, we all believed that too! ....and the FA refused to back down. She told the bully that he could not have possibly checked in before everyone on the flight, so he needed to rip that argument. She also told him he could not simply walk off the flight, but implied he might get his wish to leave granted if he did not knock the show off. Finally someone whose seat was middle aisle got up and changed with him, but I can tell you no one else bought his argument and offered.

 

[ronandannette]

...Now on a flight a few years ago the last guy to enter the plane (SWA) bent batcrap nuts because his seat was the last one open....near the bathroom in teh back of the plane. He was threatening to get off if the FA did not get someone to give him a seat. Good luck with that one Buddy! LOL!!! He insisted he checked in 24 hours to the second before the flight....yep, we all believed that too! ....and the FA refused to back down. She told the bully that he could not have possibly checked in before everyone on the flight, so he needed to rip that argument. She also told him he could not simply walk off the flight, but implied he might get his wish to leave granted if he did not knock the show off. Finally someone whose seat was middle aisle got up and changed with him, but I can tell you no one else bought his argument and offered.

The real burning question is what did "last guy on the plane" do when there was no place to stow his carry-on?

 

[Nancyg56]

The real burning question is what did "last guy on the plane" do when there was no place to stow his carry-on?

He was just terrible! SWA lets you check two bags, so there rarely is a problem with carry on (at least for me, I check in early so I am not a frazzled mess looking overhead for space!)

Honestly, it would have been worth it to have our flight delayed to see what happened if that nice guy did not move to shut him up! I was glad to see the FA refuse to take ownership of his own mistakes. Someone needs to be last on a plane and it is never going to be me!

 

[robinb]

Not at all. But what some people call "demanding", 95% of the public would call "asking".

... and based on the very limited info given, it seems that's the case here.

I see nothing in the OP, which is all the information we have to go on, to make assumptions as you are doing.

We have more than just words on a screen from the. We also have the tone and the title of the post. I find that angry, belittling, ranty tirades are often also full of exaggerations. So, I am with CPanther95 on this and I doubt the mom really came up and demanded the seat.

 

[DisneyOma]

We were flying back home from overseas, and some inept young man at the check in counter deleted our daughters' flight info by mistake. It took him forever to get it all put back on, and he then sent us on our way to the gate. We get to the gate and people are waiting standby to get on - and we get told we are in standby.

No we are not - we bought our tickets months ago, had all the papers with us, and they let us on. We get on the plane and our seats are filled. "Excuse me, you're in my seat" and I show the woman sitting there my ticket, with my seat number on it. She says the flight attendant told everyone to sit where they want, etc.

I turn to the flight attendant (gasping at her eyebrow to lower lid bright blue eyeshadow that went out of style over a decade earlier ) who is busy fluffing some guy's pillow and she brushes me off, but meanwhile, we don't know where to sit, the pilot is saying everyone needs to be seated, and there are 4 of us standing there without seats.

She finally stops fluffing the darn pillow, and points to two separate seats open (hubby and older daughter had been taken by then to two seats in the back) a few rows away from each other. My daughter and I are both horrible flyers (she's better now, I'm not) and we had booked in advance, etc, to be all together so I could take my meds on the plane and relax, and now I'm ready to cry.

Some kind soul moved for us so the two of us could sit side by side, and I will always be grateful for that. I still wasn't able to take my meds since my husband was too many rows back to help out with younger daughter if an issue arose, but at least I was there if something happened.

Women wearing too much blue eyeshadow still make me anxious, LOL!

 

[disneyfav4ever]

I usually won't switch seats either. I pay extra for "early bird" with Southwest so I'm able to be one of the first ones on the plane. I would get slightly claustrophobic in a window or middle seat, so I always try and do everything I can to have an aisle seat.

 

[Goofy_Disney_Dad]

In my best Thurston Howell III voice:

"This is why lovey and I purchased our private jet. Now if we could just get off this island we'd be all set".

Yes, showing my age again...