What are Airlines Thinking

[mwmom]

What exactly are Airlines thinking when they rebook you on a different flight and separate a parent and child? Do they just know that it will be taken care of on the plane? They did this to us this summer and had all 3 kids sitting by themselves. I was able to get it fixed with a phone call. Today I got an email that my flight at Thanksgiving has been changed. Apparently, they combined two flights and my DD and I are separated, as in she is sitting 4 rows behind me by herself. There is absolutely no way that she will sit by herself. She will be terrified and I don't want her next to a stranger when I can't even see her. There was a creepy guy next to us this summer on the plane and she was terrified the whole time (and I wasn't so comfortable myself). What floors me is that when I made a call to the airline, I was told about 10 times that there are no 2 seats together except for bulkhead which they have to hold for handicap spots and exit row which won't work bc she is a child.

Anyone had this happen and been told that they can't change it? I am worried that there are going to be other families in this boat since these flights are full of families and apparently all of us have been rebooked with no regard to putting families together.

To top it all, it is on American which is having other major problems right now. Hoping that things turn around in 2 months!

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

The computer doesn't really know that it's a child. It doesn't "think"

 

[Hannathy]

It has happened to us many times on many airlines. But it is no big deal and my kids just roll with the punches. It is only the transportation there it isn't the vacation. They always have their own backpack with their snacks, and entertainment so it really doesn't matter where they sit, we all get there at the same time. They have also met and talked with a lot of interesting people. And they all want windows so there is no way we could sit together anyway.

Kids can fly on their own from 5 on and to me any child who can go to school on their own can sit in a seat for a couple hours and take care of themselves.

 

[Palendat]

It has happened to us many times on many airlines. But it is no big deal and my kids just roll with the punches. It is only the transportation there it isn't the vacation. They always have their own backpack with their snacks, and entertainment so it really doesn't matter where they sit, we all get there at the same time. They have also met and talked with a lot of interesting people. And they all want windows so there is no way we could sit together anyway.

Kids can fly on their own from 5 on and to me any child who can go to school on their own can sit in a seat for a couple hours and take care of themselves.

No offence, but I don't agree with this. I would really hate to be the stranger who had to sit beside my almost 10 year old son with some attention deficits. And besides, especially young girls (I'm thinking 10 and under) would be frightened by some strange man (any man would be a "strange" man, creepy or not). Again, no offence, just a difference of opinion.

 

[Hannathy]

No offence, but I don't agree with this. I would really hate to be the stranger who had to sit beside my almost 10 year old son with some attention deficits. And besides, especially young girls (I'm thinking 10 and under) would be frightened by some strange man (any man would be a "strange" man, creepy or not). Again, no offence, just a difference of opinion.

Sorry but I think it is wrong to have a girl so afraid that any man is a stranger! How does she talk to a new teacher, policeman, DR.

So No I actually don't know any girls in elementary school age that would be afraid of a man just because he is a man.

 

[Planogirl]

That happened to me way back when and this is when we used to pick seats. Once DS was 4 and they wanted to give him a seat alone. Um, no. They corrected it.

I don't know what you can do about it nowadays though. Things have changed.

 

[DebbieB]

What exactly are Airlines thinking when they rebook you on a different flight and separate a parent and child? Do they just know that it will be taken care of on the plane? They did this to us this summer and had all 3 kids sitting by themselves. I was able to get it fixed with a phone call. Today I got an email that my flight at Thanksgiving has been changed. Apparently, they combined two flights and my DD and I are separated, as in she is sitting 4 rows behind me by herself. There is absolutely no way that she will sit by herself. She will be terrified and I don't want her next to a stranger when I can't even see her. There was a creepy guy next to us this summer on the plane and she was terrified the whole time (and I wasn't so comfortable myself). What floors me is that when I made a call to the airline, I was told about 10 times that there are no 2 seats together except for bulkhead which they have to hold for handicap spots and exit row which won't work bc she is a child.
Anyone had this happen and been told that they can't change it? I am worried that there are going to be other families in this boat since these flights are full of families and apparently all of us have been rebooked with no regard to putting families together.

To top it all, it is on American which is having other major problems right now. Hoping that things turn around in 2 months!

If they don't have 2 seats together, what do you want them to do? Go down the flight list and separate another family or group for you? Between now and then there are likely to be cancellations, that is why it is just easier to deal with it on the day of the flight. Plus they typically have first class seats open that they upgrade frequent flyers into, opening up coach seats. There are also preferred seats they hold for high level frequent flyers, those may open up.

 

[robinb]

How old is your DD? If she's under 4, then you have a better chance of having her sit with you. FWIW, the airlines usually set aside seats in the back of the plane for situations like yours but they are not released until the day of the flight.

ETA: if you make it all the way to the plane with your current seats you might be able to trade with another passenger, especially if one of you have an aisle or window seat.

 

[dburg30]

No offence, but I don't agree with this. I would really hate to be the stranger who had to sit beside my almost 10 year old son with some attention deficits. And besides, especially young girls (I'm thinking 10 and under) would be frightened by some strange man (any man would be a "strange" man, creepy or not). Again, no offence, just a difference of opinion.

Prejudiced, sexist or profile much? Unless they are brought up to be frightened of males, why would they be? I'm not saying you dont teach them to be careful, but to be afraid? When exactly would you expect them to grow out of that?

 

[cmwade77]

If they don't have 2 seats together, what do you want them to do? Go down the flight list and separate another family or group for you? Between now and then there are likely to be cancellations, that is why it is just easier to deal with it on the day of the flight. Plus they typically have first class seats open that they upgrade frequent flyers into, opening up coach seats. There are also preferred seats they hold for high level frequent flyers, those may open up.

Also, there may be other groups that have been split up that they don't know about, such as several adults who booked their tickets separately and they may wish to sit together, which might be able to work by switching some people around. In addition, those bulkhead seats may not be needed by the disabled, honestly I wouldn't worry too much about it right now.

I also agree with the PP that if they are old enough to go to school on the bus on their own, they are old enough to sit by themselves on a plane for a few hours. I know my susters would have been perfectly ok with this by the time they were just 5 years old.

 

[bumbershoot]

Like OCC said, computers don't think.


If it isn't resolved by the time you're on board, keep a positive attitude, make the FAs aware of the need to switch seats, and ask ask ask. I managed to get my 8 year old and I one row away from each other, and it was fine. If I'd asked further I could have gotten the same aisle, but he felt OK and I was sitting in the window seat next to a VERY frightened flyer and her husband, and I didn't want to bug their rituals for getting her through. If DS had been younger I probably would have kept going. While other kids are off to school, he's not since we homeschool, and hasn't had that experience of being on a schoolbus (nor had I, until 1st grade).

 

[seashoreCM]

There was a creepy guy next to us this summer on the plane and she was terrified the whole time (and I wasn't so comfortable myself). !

What was creepy about the guy? If the guy was actually creepy then the airline would have some responsibility after the matter was promptly brought to the attention of the flight crew.

 

[tjmw2727]

This happens often with all airlines when they change flights- with internet fares the computer has no way of knowing there is a child/children involved. Most people don't know this but no airline guarantees seat assignments and even when you pay for a preferred seat you could be moved and your $ refunded.

I have had it happen to me on AA, Delta and Jet Blue and all but once we were able to be seated at least 2/2 one parent with each dd. The other time my older dd then 7 was a few rows up from me on the aisle and did just fine.

My suggestions-
Keep watching to see if seats open up prior to the flight and select them online or call asap. If this doesn't happen;

Arrive at the airport early and explain the situation to the agent checking your bags. Remember that he/she didn't cause this and enlist their help - the more understanding you are the better! Be willing to switch a good seat for a poor seat.

Ask again at the gate - again remember that the gate agent didn't cause this either but may have some options that will get you seats together.

If you are still separated by the time you board you can ask nicely - offer the less desirable seat for the more desirable seat and hope for the best. If a child is school age the FA's will not do as much to help you as they will for a younger child.

Depending on the age of your dd you should both be prepared for the possiblity of sitting apart. She should have her own backpack and snacks and be ready for the fact that it could happen.

Finally - decide what measures are you willing to take if you can't be seated together? IE - upgrade to first/ wait for the next flight etc.

 

[robinb]

This happens often with all airlines when they change flights- with internet fares the computer has no way of knowing there is a child/children involved.

IIRC I had to enter my DD's birthdate the last time I booked her on a flight, so I don't buy that the "computer doesn't know". The program that reassigns seats might not care, but the information is available.

 

[lynypixie]

So you are telling me that my 2 years old could be in a seat alone 5 rows from me?

It's totaly ridiculous!

 

[Queen-Bee]

This happened to me once but i kindly asked the person next to me if they'd mind switching and they were fine, However i'm sure the airline will be able to sort it out on the day for you.

 

[tjmw2727]

IIRC I had to enter my DD's birthdate the last time I booked her on a flight, so I don't buy that the "computer doesn't know". The program that reassigns seats might not care, but the information is available.

Hey - I don't like it either but the birth day info entered is for the TSA.

Bottom line is when you book an adult (internet) fare for a child that is the way it shows to the computer.

 

[crashbb]

Hey - I don't like it either but the birth day info entered is for the TSA.

Bottom line is when you book an adult (internet) fare for a child that is the way it shows to the computer.

That's not always true.

Recently flew with my one-year-old (we purchased her a seat). When we went to do online check-in, we couldn't and, when we called, we were told it was because the computer saw that she was under two years but had a seat and this confused the system (it expects everyone to bring their child as a lapchild if eligible). So, clearly, the computer new that this was a child, even though a regular fare had been purchased for her.

Now, whether the computer uses this information when assigning seats after a change, I don't know. But it does (or can) know the information.

 

[DebbieB]

IIRC I had to enter my DD's birthdate the last time I booked her on a flight, so I don't buy that the "computer doesn't know". The program that reassigns seats might not care, but the information is available.

Even if the computer knows, if there are no seats open together, what is it going to do? Should they program it to knock someone else out of their assigned seat?

 

[evaready51]

We fly SWA and this problem goes away