So pissed at Jet Blue!

[TheIncredibles!]

I am so annoyed now I am in tears.

In JUNE I booked the flights for our trip tomorrow. We paid extra for the "Even more Legroom" for all 5 of us. Plan was rwo 2 me and 2 of my kids, row 3 DH and one child and whoever else was assigned there.

All was well until last month when they changed the plane and reassigned us all. Was 3x3 config now 2 x 2 config.

WIth that change they had DH and I in row 1. DD in row 2 in an aisle, youngest DS is row 2 in the opposite aisle, DS13 (child with special needs) in row 3 in an aisle.

I called to try and get one of the window seats in aisle 2 instead of that 3rd row seat and was told no. So DH was going to take that seat and my son with special needs was going to sit with me. Only problem was my 8 and 10 year olds were upset about having to sit with people they did not know.(some anxiety issues)

So Tuesday I change 1 2nd row seat and the 3rd row seat to aisle 14 together. The other 2nd row seat was untouched. Dh was going to sit there and the younger kids would get row 1. I was really pissed about not sitting together but this was the only way to make the kids comfortable.

All was well until I go to print boarding passes this morning. Despite the fact that my email that I received at 8 am with the link states that we have seat 2B when I went to print the boarding passes I could not get past a certain section. Call Jet Blue and through some fluke that seat was given away! They wanted to give me a seat in the exit aisle as long as my husband would sit there. Great so there I am in exit 14 with my child with special needs, my husband in row 12 and my 10 and 8 year old by themselvesin row 1???? I was pissed! Freaked out and "the best they could do" is to let me keep my row 1 seats and give me 3 seats in aisle 25. That would be the last row in the back that does not recline. Great - couldn't possibly be farther away from my family.

Jet Blue was insisting that I messed up somehow in the check in process until I made them check my return flight. That flight the seats were identical 1a, 1b, 2b and the 2c and 3b seats I had changed to 2 together in row 24 on that one and kept 1ab and 2b. My email from 8 am this morning has all seat assignments as they whould be. Well low and behold when she checked my 2B seat on that flight had been reassigned and we had 1a, 1b, 4d and 24a/b. So on that flight she moved us all to row 24 and 25 so we could be together.

Just amazing how I can book 6 months in advance, have my pick of seats, pay extra money to get those premium seats and somehow end up with the worst non reclining seats in the very back of the plane.

 

[vermontgirl]

So sorry to hear all the issues and your frustration! On a good note, you leave soon! Have a wonderful time with your family!

 

[TheIncredibles!]

So sorry to hear all the issues and your frustration! On a good note, you leave soon! Have a wonderful time with your family!

Thanks - trying to stay positive but this certainly put a damper on it. I will just be happy when we get there and this whole flight nonsense is done with.

 

[GirlDreamer]

Wait, they put you with your special needs child in the exit row? As in emergency exit? Is that even allowed?

 

[mommyrosa2]

I feel for you... I would go to the ticket agent at the airport and see if there is anything you can do. I've known folks who have been able to get their seats moved around so families can sit together - it won't hurt to try. Good Luck and don't let this ruin your trip.

 

[amlynn5]

I agree that you should go to the ticket agent when you get to the airport. Since you are traveling with special needs and kids that should certainly get their attention. You're almost there and once it is over, enjoy the trip! Maybe something good will come out of all of this!

 

[tjmw2727]

This happens all the time with every airline that assigns seats, the computer does the reassignment and can't differenciate between adults and children becuase we all now buy internet fares.

However, IME Jet Blue is very good at re-seating, I have been in your position with AA, Delta and Jet Blue and Jet Blue by far did the best job at trying to seat us together.

Try and come up with a worst case plan you can work with if necessary. One adult with each child who needs an adult but you likely won't be near each other. If a child has to sit alone who best can handle that and make sure everyone has their own stuff in their own carryon to avoid passing stuff around.

The reason they put you in the exit row is to make it attractive for others to switch with you - no you can't sit there with a child but you want the best options to trade with. A fellow passenger is more likely to trade for a better seat (exit row, asile) than that last row non reclining seat.

When you check in ask the ticket agent to check again - remember it isn't her fault but she may be able to help. If that doesn't work then ask again at the gate - the nicer the better as again the computer did this not the agents.

Good luck - I wish you a safe and happy flight and trip

 

[4greatboys]

Sorry to hear that. If you get a chance in the future try SWA. That way there are no assigned seats and you guys can all sit together.

 

[DebbieB]

Wait, they put you with your special needs child in the exit row? As in emergency exit? Is that even allowed?

I think it was her husband in the exit row but I didn't think that was allowed either. I thought that if you had children elsewhere on the plane they would not allow you in the exit row because in an emergency you would be trying to find them rather than taking care of the exit.

I agree that I would rather take my chances with SW's open seating than deal with musical seat assignments.

 

[dis_guy]

I think it was her husband in the exit row but I didn't think that was allowed either. I thought that if you had children elsewhere on the plane they would not allow you in the exit row because in an emergency you would be trying to find them rather than taking care of the exit.

I agree that I would rather take my chances with SW's open seating than deal with musical seat assignments.

You have to be 16 and willing to take a FA's directions to sit in an emergency exit row on every airline I've flown on.

All your woes aside, have a magical trip!

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

I think it was her husband in the exit row but I didn't think that was allowed either. I thought that if you had children elsewhere on the plane they would not allow you in the exit row because in an emergency you would be trying to find them rather than taking care of the exit.

I agree that I would rather take my chances with SW's open seating than deal with musical seat assignments.

Yes, you must be at least 15 to sit in an exit row, and you cannot be traveling with a family member younger than 15 seated anywhere on the aircraft.

In addition, there are various rules dealing with the ability to understand the instructions and perform the duties in the event of an evacuation.

 

[ancestry]

Sorry to hear about your frustrations. Unfortunately these things happen and sometimes we just have to roll with it.

Air travel requires everyone to be flexible. I hope you found a way to enjoy your flight.

 

[Halle]

I am so annoyed now I am in tears.

In JUNE I booked the flights for our trip tomorrow. We paid extra for the "Even more Legroom" for all 5 of us. Plan was rwo 2 me and 2 of my kids, row 3 DH and one child and whoever else was assigned there.

All was well until last month when they changed the plane and reassigned us all. Was 3x3 config now 2 x 2 config.

WIth that change they had DH and I in row 1. DD in row 2 in an aisle, youngest DS is row 2 in the opposite aisle, DS13 (child with special needs) in row 3 in an aisle.

I called to try and get one of the window seats in aisle 2 instead of that 3rd row seat and was told no. So DH was going to take that seat and my son with special needs was going to sit with me. Only problem was my 8 and 10 year olds were upset about having to sit with people they did not know.(some anxiety issues)

So Tuesday I change 1 2nd row seat and the 3rd row seat to aisle 14 together. The other 2nd row seat was untouched. Dh was going to sit there and the younger kids would get row 1. I was really pissed about not sitting together but this was the only way to make the kids comfortable.

All was well until I go to print boarding passes this morning. Despite the fact that my email that I received at 8 am with the link states that we have seat 2B when I went to print the boarding passes I could not get past a certain section. Call Jet Blue and through some fluke that seat was given away! They wanted to give me a seat in the exit aisle as long as my husband would sit there. Great so there I am in exit 14 with my child with special needs, my husband in row 12 and my 10 and 8 year old by themselvesin row 1???? I was pissed! Freaked out and "the best they could do" is to let me keep my row 1 seats and give me 3 seats in aisle 25. That would be the last row in the back that does not recline. Great - couldn't possibly be farther away from my family.

Jet Blue was insisting that I messed up somehow in the check in process until I made them check my return flight. That flight the seats were identical 1a, 1b, 2b and the 2c and 3b seats I had changed to 2 together in row 24 on that one and kept 1ab and 2b. My email from 8 am this morning has all seat assignments as they whould be. Well low and behold when she checked my 2B seat on that flight had been reassigned and we had 1a, 1b, 4d and 24a/b. So on that flight she moved us all to row 24 and 25 so we could be together.

Just amazing how I can book 6 months in advance, have my pick of seats, pay extra money to get those premium seats and somehow end up with the worst non reclining seats in the very back of the plane.

I truly don't want to outdue you but in 2010 I booked 7 non-stop flights from ROC to MCO, at an obscene price to avoid JFK. October 2010 I get a call telling me that our March 2011 non-stop flights were changed. I call JB and am on-line checking flights and see that our 12/10 flights have also been changed!!! I hadn't been notified!!! JB has always been our favorite airline but we've re-thought that. Sending pixie dust your way.

 

[a1tinkfans]

PIXIE dust...hoping the trip is MAGICAL!!!!

 

[ksloane]

How awful. Sorry you are having to go through this...Hope the rest of your trip is wonderful!

 

[SnackyStacky]

Tell them.

http://www.jetblue.com/help/contactus/help_contact_problems.aspx

I've found that they're very good about resolving complaints when you E-Mail them.

 

[sjs314]

What happened to you is just not right. I like you also book my flights early since I like to sit in the front of the plane. At least you are all together now but I would be royally peed off too.
I am upset that JB changed our return flight home by 55 mins taking time away from our last day but what they did to you is so much worse.

Hope you have a great trip and some pixie dust finds you once you are at Disney.

 

[Eastern]

Something similar happened to me on Continental. I upgraded two seats (at $119 per seat) to exit row. Right before travel, I realized they had reassigned our seats several rows apart! By this time, the flight was packed.

I called and took two other remaining exit row seats which were $99 each (non-reclining). I had the hardest time getting them to refund the difference. It was really aggravating!

Always check your airline seats periodically up to departure. You never know what they might do.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

This is a good time to remind people, that aircraft, seats, flight times, etc are not guaranteed by the purchase of a fare. Now, of course there is a grey line when paying for seats, but the airlines have always contended that these are still not guaranteed, but fees will be refunded as applicable (similar to baggage fees if bags are not checked, lost, etc.).

It is very unfortunate that the seats got so messed up, but hopefully your current seating will be sufficient.

 

[suemom2kay]

OP, did you at least get a refund for the $35 per seat fees? I would demand that and demand that they at least get have each of your children with one of their parents. Move someone else? It certainly didn't bother them to move all of you multiple times.