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

[Wishing on a star]

Wow, this thread is giving the energizer bunny a real run for its money... just keeps going and going.. and going...

Having said that, I would not automatically assume or judge (jump to the conclusion) that the person in the seat is evil and/or unhelpful.
I would also not assume that the parent here was evil, demanding, trying to use their child to pull something.

WAY TOO MANY ASSUMPTIONS HERE, on all sides.

I will say, however, that I am judging the OP, in this thread, based on the words and tone of her post.
Not based on assumptions, but based on this particular interaction as I am reading it thru language and the info offered, and the info NOT offered.

 

[morgan98]

Wow, this thread is giving the energizer bunny a real run for its money... just keeps going and going.. and going...

Having said that, I would not automatically assume or judge (jump to the conclusion) that the person in the seat is evil and/or unhelpful.
I would also not assume that the parent here was evil, demanding, trying to use their child to pull something.

WAY TOO MANY ASSUMPTIONS HERE, on all sides.

I will say, however, that I am judging the OP, in this thread, based on the words and tone of her post.
Not based on assumptions, but based on this particular interaction as I am reading it thru language and the info offered, and the info NOT offered.

The way I read this that there is no reason to judge the person who is sitting in their assigned seat. They are sitting in the seat they were assigned/purchased, etc. and have done nothing wrong. (Well, I guess if they are very rude in declining one could argue they have). There is no reason to judge them.

When you come asking for something that is not yours, I think that changes things....

Note that I am not trying to be argumentative, I just do not understand how the person sitting in their assigned seat deserves any kind of judgment or should have to defend their right to the seat to anyone.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I will say, however, that I am judging the OP, in this thread, based on the words and tone of her post.
Not based on assumptions, but based on this particular interaction as I am reading it thru language and the info offered, and the info NOT offered.

Yeah, I'm judging the OP as well. I'm judging that person as having remarkable self-control . I'm impressed with their ability not to get embroiled this conversation.

 

[mnrose]

The way I read this that there is no reason to judge the person who is sitting in their assigned seat. They are sitting in the seat they were assigned/purchased, etc. and have done nothing wrong. (Well, I guess if they are very rude in declining one could argue they have). Their is no reason to judge them.

When you come asking for something that is not yours, I think that changes things....

Note that I am not trying to be argumentative, I just do not understand how the person sitting in their assigned seat deserves any kind of judgment or should have to defend their right to the seat to anyone.

Exactly. They are just sitting where they are supposed do. Assuming they politely decline (and NO, they don't have to give you a reason), then they aren't being rude in the slightest.

 

[Wishing on a star]

Again, I am not 'judging' the OP because they sat in their seat...
Not at all.

Again, I judge the OP based on the words and comments and tone of her post.
And, yes, again, the info that she opted to give, and the info that she chose not to give.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I bet the OP wasn't aware there is a particular format required, or tone, or information provided by, when one is posting a rant. Or that s/he must respond instead of keeping up with others' replies and conversations'

 

[pampam]

This thread has gone on for 30 pages now, and still the OP has not responded with the details that were asked for-age of child, type of seat the mother wanted to trade for etc.

I'm thinking the OP just wanted to stir things up and see if they could get a reaction.

 

[Wishing on a star]

Just 'liked' your post, Pam!

 

[Dentam]

This thread has gone on for 30 pages now, and still the OP has not responded with the details that were asked for-age of child, type of seat the mother wanted to trade for etc.

I'm thinking the OP just wanted to stir things up and see if they could get a reaction.

I love how people feel like the OP is obligated to give them all of these additional details. The thread was titled a RANT. Who cares how old the child was, what the exact seat was, etc.? She didn't want to trade. The End.

 

[Goofy_Disney_Dad]

Just 'liked' your post, Pam!

Wouldn't she get an alert telling her this? Not sure the announcement was really necessary, but high fives all around!

 

[Goofy_Disney_Dad]

I liked your post Wishing on a star.

 

[Allons-y!]

I just liked Dentam's post!

(That's what we're doing now, right? )

 

[gwynne]

I just liked Dentam's post!

(That's what we're doing now, right? )

OK, I'll like your post.

 

[Marlyn]

Omg lol. It's like a train wreck.....I can't stop watching....

 

[Dentam]

Omg lol. It's like a train wreck.....I can't stop watching....

Are you saying you'll give up your seat on this train? lol

 

[Marlyn]

Are you saying you'll give up your seat on this train? lol

 

[roseaster]

I guess what I don't understand is why people assume that the only reason someone won't give up their seat is because they are selfish, or mean, or rude, or insensitive, or whatever negative reason.

Can anyone, at least, admit that the person may have chosen and paid for that seat because they have a particular need for it. Since you don't know what that need is how can you assume that your need to sit near your child is greater than their need to sit in that seat. It may be much more than just a comfort issue or a financial issue.

FTR, I have 5 children, and I believe that if you paid for a seat, for whatever reason you paid for it, whether it's a medical necessity, or you just like to watch the flight attendants walk up and down the aisle, you aren't obligated to move and aren't rude if you choose not to.

 

[LiveYourLife]

Again, I will also go back to the notion that when I've been asked to switch on a plane, 100% of the time, the person doing the asking to "sit next to someone" is asking for the seat that is the BEST available...e.g., they want the seat closer to the front, or with more leg room. I don't see them offering their "better" seat to agree to take a seat closer to the back or the toilet or whatever. They look at it as an opportunity to improve their own position. Word of advice to the people doing the asking....go back to the WORST seat on the plane and offer to switch with that person in order to sit next to your loved one. More likely to get a better result.

This! THIIIIIIIISSSS!!!! If I could sing THIIIIIIIIS from seat 5 A, I would!!!!

I fly a lot for business and personal. Guess what airport is my home airport???? MCO (Orlando). Every flight I take is like a school bus in the sky. LOL! On 95% of my flights, this game of seat swap-a-roo takes place. Very rarely is the seat trade to accommodate a split up family a better seat. It's usually a middle seat, in the back of the plane. Imagine that

I've mentioned this up thread and I saw it mentioned another time. Exit row seats are about the same price as premium economy, even more leg room, etc....Book an exit row seat for the additional cost and you don't have to worry about being asked by a parent or FA to move to accommodate a split family. Passengers under the age of 16 cannot sit in an exit row.

Heaven forbid in the event of an emergency and if I had your child sitting next to me, I would help your child. I am 100% positive that the members posting on this thread that share my sentiments about this discussion would also help your child.

 

[TipsyTraveler]

OK, I'll like your post.

Great post, @gwynne! I liked it!

 

[Squirlz]

Omg lol. It's like a plane wreck.....I can't stop watching....

Fixed it for you.