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

[sam_gordon]

I don't think it's an unreasonable choice.

No one said it's unreasonable.

The point is you made a choice to use a travel agency (could have been an airline, a hotel, whatever) that didn't cost you as much vs. being able to sit with your family. If I'm going out of town, I can choose to stay at a high end hotel that has a full workout room, indoor pool, sauna, hot tub, room service, etc. Or I can stay at one that has a simple pool, a couple treadmills, and a continental breakfast. Because I make the choice for the lower cost option, should I be entitled to everything the higher priced option allows?

 

[FairestOfThemAll37]

Families with small children aren't the only ones who throw fits. I've seen plenty of adult pairing make a scene because they have to sit together.

I agree that the ones asking the favor of a seat swap are almost always asking you to take a worse seat.

I'm a window person. It helps me not feel trapped. I have a large personal space bubble and flights in coach really test my limits of proximity to others haha.

So many times people have gotten huffy because I wouldn't trade my seat for their middle in the back of the plane so they can sit with their friend.

The correct way to do it would be for their friend in the aisle next to me to go trade with the person in the back next to her friend. It's just rude IMO.

Of course when I suggest that's another option for a trade, I just get the indignant huff and eye roll.

 

[Jennasis]

Families with small children aren't the only ones who throw fits. I've seen plenty of adult pairing make a scene because they have to sit together.

I agree that the ones asking the favor of a seat swap are almost always asking you to take a worse seat.

I'm a window person. It helps me not feel trapped. I have a large personal space bubble and flights in coach really test my limits of proximity to others haha.

So many times people have gotten huffy because I wouldn't trade my seat for their middle in the back of the plane so they can sit with their friend.

The correct way to do it would be for their friend in the aisle next to me to go trade with the person in the back next to her friend. It's just rude IMO.

Of course when I suggest that's another option for a trade, I just get the indignant huff and eye roll.

Funny...I like the aisle for the same reason. I don't feel trapped.

 

[FairestOfThemAll37]

Funny...I like the aisle for the same reason. I don't feel trapped.

Yeah, most people who tend to feel trapped prefer the aisle. I'm weird lol. The window gives me a few extra inches of personal space-I can lean into the window and look that way and not be face to face with somebody else.

The aisle just means more physical contact as people walk by.

 

[anniemae]

Yeah, most people who tend to feel trapped prefer the aisle. I'm weird lol. The window gives me a few extra inches of personal space-I can lean into the window and look that way and not be face to face with somebody else.

The aisle just means more physical contact as people walk by.

I used to love the aisle, but then found it annoying when I had to keep getting up for the people in my row to use the rest room. I didn't want to close my eyes and nap in case they needed to get up, plus all the people walking by gets annoying too.

 

[bcla]

It's not an unreasonable choice as long as you don't expect others to give up their seats so that your family can sit together. If that works for your family, great. If not, prioritizing pre-assigned seats over savings might be a better choice.

Sure. I might ask around if there might be a way to reassign seats - starting with the airline itself. Heck - I've gotten the impression that some seats are held back "in inventory" just for that. If I don't get that I don't pout about it. At this point my kid can sit alone just fine, especially with an iPad.

I've also ridden Amtrak. I rather like that they are flexible since seats are never assigned at the time of purchase and you don't find your seat assignment until boarding time. If they need to move around solo passengers, they will.

 

[SirDuff]

I used to love the aisle, but then found it annoying when I had to keep getting up for the people in my row to use the rest room. I didn't want to close my eyes and nap in case they needed to get up, plus all the people walking by gets annoying too.

I like the aisle so I don't have to feel guilty asking people to get up for me. I end up getting up far less than I'd like to do when I'm in the window. The only time I've not been in an aisle seat in a while are last minute upgrades or when, like my last flight, I managed to get onto an earlier flight and took whatever seat I could get (boarding was already almost done so I was just happy to get on the flight and it was less than 90 minutes).

 

[Westcoastwild]

Sure. I might ask around if there might be a way to reassign seats - starting with the airline itself. Heck - I've gotten the impression that some seats are held back "in inventory" just for that. If I don't get that I don't pout about it. At this point my kid can sit alone just fine, especially with an iPad.

I've also ridden Amtrak. I rather like that they are flexible since seats are never assigned at the time of purchase and you don't find your seat assignment until boarding time. If they need to move around solo passengers, they will.

I'd argue though that Amtrak is not the same thing. I don't care where I sit on a train, because I'm not trapped in my seat all of the time. A seatbelt sign goes on and you might be in one position with no real options for 4+ hours on a plane.

 

[RedAngie]

I had forgotten about this thread. I wonder if Round 2 will reach 30 pages like the original.

At least it's a different type of airline thread unlike recent ones about rude flight attendants, gate agents, passengers getting beat up, etc.

Families with small children aren't the only ones who throw fits. I've seen plenty of adult pairing make a scene because they have to sit together.

I agree that the ones asking the favor of a seat swap are almost always asking you to take a worse seat.

I'm a window person. It helps me not feel trapped. I have a large personal space bubble and flights in coach really test my limits of proximity to others haha.

So many times people have gotten huffy because I wouldn't trade my seat for their middle in the back of the plane so they can sit with their friend.

The correct way to do it would be for their friend in the aisle next to me to go trade with the person in the back next to her friend. It's just rude IMO.

Of course when I suggest that's another option for a trade, I just get the indignant huff and eye roll.

That reminds me of a flight about 30 years ago. ExH and I were on a BOS-PHL flight on a plane with 2 x 3 seating. We were in a 2 seater about 7 or 8 rows back in coach. Boarding seemed to be a complete, but then after about 5 minutes a couple entered the plane. Possibly they were flying standby, or had a misconnect, or whatever. They passed us toward the back, and a few minutes later returned toward the front. A flight attendant intercepted them in the row in front of us. The husband complained that there weren't two available seats together, apparently only two scattered middle seats on the 3 side. "We want to sit together" Want, not need. The FA attendant apologized, but said they were the only available seats. Again the husband said they want to sit together, and pointed to the 2 seat row in front of us. He expected the FA to order the 2 passengers there to vacate and take the seats in the back. The FA said she couldn't do that. Then he pulled the "I'm a gold elite" line. The FA remained calm, and said "Sir, you can either take the seats in the back or take a different flight." The couple departed in a huff, and no doubt raised holy hell with the gate agent. Two other people boarded the plane soon after and took the scattered seats in back without complaint.

Can't sit apart for a flight lasting less than an hour????

 

[Westcoastwild]

I had forgotten about this thread. I wonder if Round 2 will reach 30 pages like the original.

At least it's a different type of airline thread unlike recent ones about rude flight attendants, gate agents, passengers getting beat up, etc.



That reminds me of a flight about 30 years ago. ExH and I were on a BOS-PHL flight on a plane with 2 x 3 seating. We were in a 2 seater about 7 or 8 rows back in coach. Boarding seemed to be a complete, but then after about 5 minutes a couple entered the plane. Possibly they were flying standby, or had a misconnect, or whatever. They passed us toward the back, and a few minutes later returned toward the front. A flight attendant intercepted them in the row in front of us. The husband complained that there weren't two available seats together, apparently only two scattered middle seats on the 3 side. "We want to sit together" Want, not need. The FA attendant apologized, but said they were the only available seats. Again the husband said they want to sit together, and pointed to the 2 seat row in front of us. He expected the FA to order the 2 passengers there to vacate and take the seats in the back. The FA said she couldn't do that. Then he pulled the "I'm a gold elite" line. The FA remained calm, and said "Sir, you can either take the seats in the back or take a different flight." The couple departed in a huff, and no doubt raised holy hell with the gate agent. Two other people boarded the plane soon after and took the scattered seats in back without complaint.

Right?! I used to not participate in a thread like this- too much insanity- but after the recent spat of "how airlines are out to get us" I'm enjoying the innocent nostalgia

 

[bcla]

That reminds me of a flight about 30 years ago. ExH and I were on a BOS-PHL flight on a plane with 2 x 3 seating. We were in a 2 seater about 7 or 8 rows back in coach. Boarding seemed to be a complete, but then after about 5 minutes a couple entered the plane. Possibly they were flying standby, or had a misconnect, or whatever. They passed us toward the back, and a few minutes later returned toward the front. A flight attendant intercepted them in the row in front of us. The husband complained that there weren't two available seats together, apparently only two scattered middle seats on the 3 side. "We want to sit together" Want, not need. The FA attendant apologized, but said they were the only available seats. Again the husband said they want to sit together, and pointed to the 2 seat row in front of us. He expected the FA to order the 2 passengers there to vacate and take the seats in the back. The FA said she couldn't do that. Then he pulled the "I'm a gold elite" line. The FA remained calm, and said "Sir, you can either take the seats in the back or take a different flight." The couple departed in a huff, and no doubt raised holy hell with the gate agent. Two other people boarded the plane soon after and took the scattered seats in back without complaint.

Can't sit apart for a flight lasting less than an hour????

Wasn't that back when you basically could only check-in at the airport, and that's where the seat assignment was made? Back then it might have been better because they would group solo passengers together and leave seats for groups. Today with seat selection available early, a lot of solo passengers might pick the best seats.

I've seen certain seat selection software that's designed to prevent people from doing this sort of thing. I was looking to select seats for a performance, and I liked two seats together in a certain area, even though there were three together. It would let me select those seats since it would leave a single seat. It wouldn't be impossible to program airline seat selection software to encourage a solo passenger to select an available solo seat next to already occupied seats.

 

[RedAngie]

Wasn't that back when you basically could only check-in at the airport, and that's where the seat assignment was made? Back then it might have been better because they would group solo passengers together and leave seats for groups. Today with seat selection available early, a lot of solo passengers might pick the best seats.

I've seen certain seat selection software that's designed to prevent people from doing this sort of thing. I was looking to select seats for a performance, and I liked two seats together in a certain area, even though there were three together. It would let me select those seats since it would leave a single seat. It wouldn't be impossible to program airline seat selection software to encourage a solo passenger to select an available solo seat next to already occupied seats.

I really don't recall if we were able to select seats in advance for that flight. Most likely they were assigned at the airport on the day of the flight. Probably right at the gate, since we didn't check any luggage.

About the same time frame, however, I DO specifically remember being able to get seats assigned in advance for a TWA flight to/from London for our honeymoon. That was in first class, which may have made a difference. We went to the local TWA ticket office and the agent showed us a seat map and let us choose from what was available.

On Ticketmaster there is usually a request not to leave singles when choosing your own seats for a ballgame or theater performance or a concert. But I almost always see scattered singles.

 

[bcla]

I really don't recall if we were able to select seats in advance for that flight. Most likely they were assigned at the airport on the day of the flight. Probably right at the gate, since we didn't check any luggage.

About the same time frame, however, I DO specifically remember being able to get seats assigned in advance for a TWA flight to/from London for our honeymoon. That was in first class, which may have made a difference. We went to the local TWA ticket office and the agent showed us a seat map and let us choose from what was available.

On Ticketmaster there is usually a request not to leave singles when choosing your own seats for a ballgame or theater performance or a concert. But I almost always see scattered singles.

Yeah - I was looking for tickets on TicketMaster. The old way was that there was basically no seat selection other than the price-level. Right now with individual seat selection, I think the scattered singles become a thing depending on how many seats are still available, and where their agents, the venue, or a TicketMaster outlet aren't subject to the same restrictions.

A seat preference might have always been an option, but 30 years ago nearly everyone bought tickets from travel agents, at airline ticket offices (which are extremely rare these days), or at airports. I know travel agents didn't typically have have assigned seating. I only started noticing preassigned seating when airlines started selling tickets directly on the internet.

 

[Uncranky Donald]

Yeah, most people who tend to feel trapped prefer the aisle. I'm weird lol. The window gives me a few extra inches of personal space-I can lean into the window and look that way and not be face to face with somebody else.

The aisle just means more physical contact as people walk by.

I'm just like you! The window seat allows me to curl up, lean against something that is not another human and feel like I am in my own world away from the rest of the plane and action going on. I do not like flying and can rarely ever sleep sitting up or on a plane period, so I need as much surface area/personal space to help me get to the ultimate goal of falling asleep until the flight is over. When I flew to Rome I actually didn't get up out of my seat once (not even to pee!) cuz I was so cozy and cacooned into my window space, it calmed me down for the 9 hour flight

 

[NHdisneylover]

I know this is really old, but since it's resurrected from the dead I'll chime in. It's people like this why my family decided to pay $500 more to upgrade to guarantee seating together after they changed our flight time by 20 minutes and scattered my family to the four corners of the sold out economy section of plane (we had orginally selected seats together). I may be a pessimist but I never count on the kindness of strangers. And I figure those people who won't budge from their seat probably wouldn't be too willing to help the child either if they needed any help with anything or there was an emergency.

Meh---I like wel behaved kids (even if they are getting antsy on long flights with ill prepared parents----the number of parens who pack nothing to entertain a young child on a transatlantic flight is staggering!). I often chat with young fliers seated next to me, am happy to help open things if asked or I offer to do so if, for example, the parent is struggling with a lap child and needing to open things, offer to let families keep drinks on my tray so the squirming little one doesnt kick things over, etc. My oldest (20) has (on several occasions) let little ones watch kid friendly movies on their laptop when in flight entertainment is not working, etc. And i would absolutely help a child in an emergency. Or anyone who needs help.

What I won't do? Give up my aisle seat or haul all of my stuff around after I've been seated and stashed it away without an extremly good reason.

 

[NHdisneylover]

Yeah - I was looking for tickets on TicketMaster. The old way was that there was basically no seat selection other than the price-level. Right now with individual seat selection, I think the scattered singles become a thing depending on how many seats are still available, and where their agents, the venue, or a TicketMaster outlet aren't subject to the same restrictions.

A seat preference might have always been an option, but 30 years ago nearly everyone bought tickets from travel agents, at airline ticket offices (which are extremely rare these days), or at airports. I know travel agents didn't typically have have assigned seating. I only started noticing preassigned seating when airlines started selling tickets directly on the internet.

really? Just about every flight I took as a kid (2-3 per year from 1980 on) I had a preassigned seat. I don't recall that being as likely to change back then as now, but I certainly had them

 

[mummabear]

But it's possible, though. I get what you mean- if I book from my home town, it'll involve codeshares or really long layovers. I just make the layovers into part of the trip because the codeshare are a major (and expensive) nuisance. All about priorities.

Admittedly the luggage allowance thing hadn't occured to me. What's the difference between the two?

So if I am on an international ticket I have the Air NZ luggage allowance through the whole way for no extra cost, 2x23kg items per person all "baby" items free (strollers, car seats etc)
If book to LA then book separately to Orlando I would have to pay $25USD a bag each way for those bags, and in some countries the domestic luggage allowance (internally in NZ is an example) only allows 1 bag.

The option is there, then, to not book your flights if you can't pick your seats ahead of time. If a travel agency won't allow it, then don't use them. There is still a choice there.....

So, you put saving money above being able to sit together. A perfectly valid choice, but still a choice.

So @SirDuff and @maxiesmom would you be ok if airlines started charging $100 to use the bathroom?
I mean you have a choice, you could just hold or use an adult diaper right?
And airlines have to make money out of these sorts of extra charges or they will go bust?

 

[quandrea]

Encountered something interesting on a flight last week. I have twins, 7. We don't pay for seat selection but are seated together because we are frequent fliers--I figure it's a courtesy the airline extends. Anyway, I got up to use the washroom with my daughter, leaving my son on his own. Dad was across the aisle and one row back. The flight attendant was very anxious and said to dh that son "was not allowed to be on his own." Dh had to relocate until I returned. If that is truly the regulation, there should be no reason for the airline to ever charge people for the "privilege" of sitting with their young children. It is not a privilege according to this flight attendant, but a regulation.

My understanding was always that under the age of two required complete parental supervision. With twins, we always had to take the kids with us when going to the washroom. Always had to maintain the one to one ratio.

I've always believed that charging parents to exercise a legal obligation to their children was wrong.

 

[Westcoastwild]

So if I am on an international ticket I have the Air NZ luggage allowance through the whole way for no extra cost, 2x23kg items per person all "baby" items free (strollers, car seats etc)
If book to LA then book separately to Orlando I would have to pay $25USD a bag each way for those bags, and in some countries the domestic luggage allowance (internally in NZ is an example) only allows 1 bag.

Ah. That does make sense. I'm trying
to plan a trip to Japan right now, and I was trying to figure out how to pack lightly to avoid check bag fees...only to find out that I'm allowed two bags for free, which is a pretty sweet perk! That would add up fast for your family.

I don't know though. I really hate not picking my seat, and I still think I'd book those flights separate. I can understand you not wanting to spend the money, though.

 

[Westcoastwild]

Encountered something interesting on a flight last week. I have twins, 7. We don't pay for seat selection but are seated together because we are frequent fliers--I figure it's a courtesy the airline extends. Anyway, I got up to use the washroom with my daughter, leaving my son on his own. Dad was across the aisle and one row back. The flight attendant was very anxious and said to dh that son "was not allowed to be on his own." Dh had to relocate until I returned. If that is truly the regulation, there should be no reason for the airline to ever charge people for the "privilege" of sitting with their young children. It is not a privilege according to this flight attendant, but a regulation.

My understanding was always that under the age of two required complete parental supervision. With twins, we always had to take the kids with us when going to the washroom. Always had to maintain the one to one ratio.

I've always believed that charging parents to exercise a legal obligation to their children was wrong.

I've never seen a flight attendant even notice that, so that's kind of odd. I've sat next to young kids a lot. I mean not super young but easily 6 or 7.

I mean if you aren't in your seat, you're probably in the toilet...