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

[tinkerbellandeeyor]

I thought about it I was selfish and we will have plenty of time together and its 100 times more important that a minor is with there parents

 

[sam_gordon]

Is it not possible to book two or more adjoining seats on most airlines? Several people speak as if it is not.

Yes. However, if airlines make equipment (ie: aircraft) changes, that could change seating availability/assignments. I assume there's a computer program that reassigns the seats, I don't know how well it's programmed to keep traveling companions together. Also, if a flight is delayed (or missed), that will affect seating on connecting flights.

 

[anneboleyn]

Warning everyone in advance my group is going to be stubborn us three adults are going to sit together so we can visit mom step mom and myself

We never get to see or talk to each other

I don’t blame you at all for wanting to sit together, but I would rethink the stubborn part. Hours of footage of Youtube shows what happens when passengers act out or refuse to move on planes (spoiler: it ends with them being dragged off by police and not going on their trip).

 

[ten6mom]

We have a group of 12 people flying to Japan this fall and this thread is making me nervous! We will have assigned seats at the time of booking, but I shall be checking feverishly to make sure they don't get changed.

 

[KPeterso]

Personally, I've liked Delta. I've had one instance where they changed my window seat to a middle because they changed planes and eliminated the row I was sitting in. But, I've taken advantage of their change policy (if departure or arrival time is changed by 60+ minutes, you can change your flight for free) multiple times to better times. One time, we had even booked an airport 90 minutes away for a cheaper flight. They actually called me and asked if I could go on an earlier flight, I was able to move to our "home" airport (30 minutes away) at decent times for no charge.

I like that even in coach you get free drinks and a snack (granted, not much, but it's something), even (most of the time) on short flights. I flew American once (not booked by me). And on a 3 hour flight, the only thing they would do is give you a cup of water.

I like Delta's entertainment (can stream movies/tv shows to your device), and you can pay for internet and browse the web if you'd like. I think SW does that now too, I don't know about other airlines.

Flying Delta in September for the first time in many many years. I was getting nervous reading most of the posts, but appreciate this one. So far, all my interactions have been great. Had to call to update information once I obtained TSA pre check and they made the updates quick and easily. They told me that my flights had changed (one a lot, and one by just a few minutes) and wanted to make sure the changes were ok. The one that changed by a lot was because the afternoon flight was cancelled and they put me on the AM flight which was the flight I really wanted to begin with but was a lot more than the later one. So I actually was pretty happy about that change. Seats are not 100% what I would want, but still bulkhead in the Comfort section (just 1 is now a middle and not an aisle). Should be ok though.

 

[sam_gordon]

Flying Delta in September for the first time in many many years. I was getting nervous reading most of the posts, but appreciate this one. So far, all my interactions have been great. Had to call to update information once I obtained TSA pre check and they made the updates quick and easily. They told me that my flights had changed (one a lot, and one by just a few minutes) and wanted to make sure the changes were ok. The one that changed by a lot was because the afternoon flight was cancelled and they put me on the AM flight which was the flight I really wanted to begin with but was a lot more than the later one. So I actually was pretty happy about that change. Seats are not 100% what I would want, but still bulkhead in the Comfort section (just 1 is now a middle and not an aisle). Should be ok though.

Another "good" Delta story...

We were flying back from Europe last year. We connected through Atlanta. Our flight to our home airport got in right around 11:30p, maybe 11:50p. Obviously extremely late, and we're a small enough airport it was the last flight in of the day. As we're gathering everything up, DS notices he doesn't have his phone. He had it in his pocket when we got on the plane, but it was nowhere to be found when it was time to get off. Of course, DS, DW, and I are looking all over our row, waiting for the plane to empty. After the plane emptied, the FAs (remember this is the last flight in, they're going home/to a hotel), help us search all over the plane... pulling up seat cushions, getting down on hands and knees to look on the floor, using flashlights, etc. They probably helped us search for 10 minutes before we called it quits.

Turns out another passenger had found the phone on the floor (we're guessing it fell out of DS' pocket while he was sleeping and slid during the decent) and took it home with him (wouldn't it have made more sense to give it to an FA?). We got it back the next day, but the FA's went "above and beyond" IMO to help us search.

 

[design_mom]

To be fair -- I complained above that Delta changed our seat assignments to all over the plane... but we had no troubles on our trip. Our flights were on time, our flight attendants were efficient and friendly, etc. I would fly Delta again, but I did not know their reputation for changing seat assignments/flight times. I would keep more of an eye on my reservations next time.

 

[Shanti]

I don’t blame you at all for wanting to sit together, but I would rethink the stubborn part. Hours of footage of Youtube shows what happens when passengers act out or refuse to move on planes (spoiler: it ends with them being dragged off by police and not going on their trip).

That is only in extreme cases, in which passengers are ordered to move by FAs, and they outright refuse. That's a different situation from a fellow passenger asking if you'll move for them, or even from an FA asking (not ordering) if you don't mind moving to help out.

Politely responding, "No thanks, I'd prefer to keep my seat", is not going to get you booted off a plane, unless you had actually been ordered to get up.

 

[anneboleyn]

That is only in extreme cases, in which passengers are ordered to move by FAs, and they outright refuse. That's a different situation from a fellow passenger asking if you'll move for them, or even from an FA asking (not ordering) if you don't mind moving to help out.

Politely responding, "No thanks, I'd prefer to keep my seat", is not going to get you booted off a plane, unless you had actually been ordered to get up.

I agree! I just assumed “stubborn” meant “everyone hold on to your hat because this is gonna get crazy” lol

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

To be fair -- I complained above that Delta changed our seat assignments to all over the plane... but we had no troubles on our trip. Our flights were on time, our flight attendants were efficient and friendly, etc. I would fly Delta again, but I did not know their reputation for changing seat assignments/flight times. I would keep more of an eye on my reservations next time.

Correct that was my point as well.

I don't like Delta's boarding procedure, preferring SWA, but that doesn't mean I wouldn't fly Delta ever again. Simply put they just require more 'pay attention' than I have to do with SWA and prior to hearing about it on the Boards I too was like you in that I didn't know they change things around more frequently than I was used to doing with SWA.

 

[tinkerbellandeeyor]

That is only in extreme cases, in which passengers are ordered to move by FAs, and they outright refuse. That's a different situation from a fellow passenger asking if you'll move for them, or even from an FA asking (not ordering) if you don't mind moving to help out.

Politely responding, "No thanks, I'd prefer to keep my seat", is not going to get you booted off a plane, unless you had actually been ordered to get up.

I agree! I just assumed “stubborn” meant “everyone hold on to your hat because this is gonna get crazy” lol

I did have a change of heart up thread and said I would move for a child and my post was more anger towrds someone else

I moved for a adult to be closer to his family on my last flight after dh gracefully gave me his aile and the guy never interacted with his family and I could have had easier access to the restroom had I stood my
Ground

 

[Nancyg56]

I did have a change of heart up thread and said I would move for a child and my post was more anger towrds someone else

I moved for a adult to be closer to his family on my last flight after dh gracefully gave me his aile and the guy never interacted with his family and I could have had easier access to the restroom had I stood my
Ground

I probably would nto have moved in that case. FOr a child to be close to Mom or Dad? Yes. But I would not move away from my DH if the kids were with an adult already.

 

[Shanti]

I would never move unless an FA outright ordered me to. I choose our airplaine seats with care to avoid excess noise (I have problems with my ears), and I usually travel with my son, as well. I'd be explaining all of that to the FA if he or she asked me to move. I don't think there is anything wrong with that, either. Airlines have made the flying experience very hard for passengers, and now charge for the ability to sit in the better seats of even the economy section of the plane. So when I plan carefully & pay extra, I'm certainly not going to give that up without a conversation about why it would be problematic.

Airlines need to be better regulated, as their practices of cramming people into tight spaces, then selling even the marginally better seats for a higher cost, then regularly switching plane assignments and changing flights which takes away some people's planned seating, are the absolute worst in customer service.

The final result is passengers being nasty to one another, as they get in each other's way while trying to make the flights bearable.

 

[Wishing on a star]

Totally agree, Shanti...
It really is just unacceptable.
We have had some OKAY experiences with Delta...
But, they are also the one airline with which we have been to hell and back, and ended up cancelling altogether, and having to book expensive, lame, last-minute seats on another airline.

 

[verleniahall]

We love Delta - they have always treated us amazing

I have asthma and was having a coughing fit right before takeoff (i had forgot to pick up a bottle of water) and the steward from first class was right there (we were in comfort +) and the DH explained what was going on and he brought me a bottle of water and made sure to check on me just as often as his first class passangers - I even got my wings!

 

[neverlandsky]

FA does asks passengers to move to balance the weight of the plane with passengers and their luggage so the Pilot can take off and keep the plane in the air. Happened on our last flight. FA told us to stay as a family and moved all the single passengers behind us forward. Took them 4 times of asking them and then they threatened that the plane won’t take off. There were 3 hold outs who moved after that.

Delta is by far the best airline we have flown. SWA in 2nd.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

FA does asks passengers to move to balance the weight of the plane with passengers and their luggage so the Pilot can take off and keep the plane in the air. Happened on our last flight. FA told us to stay as a family and moved all the single passengers behind us forward. Took them 4 times of asking them and then they threatened that the plane won’t take off. There were 3 hold outs who moved after that.

Delta is by far the best airline we have flown. SWA in 2nd.

I can honestly say I don't think I've ever seen people move to redistribute the weight on a normal commercial flight and I've been on full flights, half full flights and no where near full flights. There's never been a "folks we've got to have you move here and oh you move there we need to redistribute the weight"

Was this a small plane?

Cargo weight sure they have to adjust that but that is done as they load the luggage.

 

[NHdisneylover]

I|m another fre

I can honestly say I don't think I've ever seen people move to redistribute the weight on a normal commercial flight and I've been on full flights, half full flights and no where near full flights. There's never been a "folks we've got to have you move here and oh you move there we need to redistribute the weight"

Was this a small plane?

Cargo weight sure they have to adjust that but that is done as they load the luggage.

I'm another frequent flier who has never had that happen. ONCE, back in 1992 (I know the year as it was the first trip then DH and I took together and his parents were not happy we took the airline up on the offer) we had an airline announce, after boarding, that there was a weight restriction and they needed ten people to get off and fly the next day---they offered vouchers and a hotel and dinner. That was the only time, out of many, many flights, that i have heard anythign of the sort.

 

[SirDuff]

I can honestly say I don't think I've ever seen people move to redistribute the weight on a normal commercial flight and I've been on full flights, half full flights and no where near full flights. There's never been a "folks we've got to have you move here and oh you move there we need to redistribute the weight"

Was this a small plane?

Cargo weight sure they have to adjust that but that is done as they load the luggage.

I've had it done on smaller planes, though it often happened at check-in. They automatically put us in seats near the back (one class plane) and the only seats that you could choose were also in the back half. The problem is that there is very little luggage/cargo on these flights so the hold (in the back) has very little weight. If passengers are all in the front, the plane is nose heavy and would have trouble taking off (moving around was fine once we were in the air, it was just take-off that would be a problem). Happened more than once, but the planes are propeller plane and only have something like 74 seats.

 

[CarolAnn856]

I can honestly say I don't think I've ever seen people move to redistribute the weight on a normal commercial flight and I've been on full flights, half full flights and no where near full flights. There's never been a "folks we've got to have you move here and oh you move there we need to redistribute the weight"

Was this a small plane?

Cargo weight sure they have to adjust that but that is done as they load the luggage.

It's not unusual on smaller planes. We saw some people moved, for example, on a large prop plane (but smaller than a typical commercial plane) when going from Miami to the Bahamas.