Why do so many idiots ask to switch seats on planes these days?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was just on a flight where they put my 5 year old across the aisle from me. I booked the tickets together in one transaction and included his age so this was baffling. I talked to the check in people and gate agent and they couldn't do anything because the flight was fully booked. Fortunately I was offering to trade an aisle seat for a middle seat and one of the middle seats next to us was a solo traveler who was happy to take the switch.

Two aisle seats in the same row IS considered sitting "next to."

Realistically though you can't manage a small kid's drink or let them sleep on you or control them physically across an aisle. Airlines should know this.

You cannot put on your child’s oxygen mask from across the aisle. Failing to sit families together would be a huge problem for an orderly evacuation. There’s zero way I would not be climbing over people to get to my kid.

You absolutely can manage a drink and an oxygen mask from across the aisle. The aisle is like 12 inches wide - this ain't first class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was just on a flight where they put my 5 year old across the aisle from me. I booked the tickets together in one transaction and included his age so this was baffling. I talked to the check in people and gate agent and they couldn't do anything because the flight was fully booked. Fortunately I was offering to trade an aisle seat for a middle seat and one of the middle seats next to us was a solo traveler who was happy to take the switch.

Two aisle seats in the same row IS considered sitting "next to."

Realistically though you can't manage a small kid's drink or let them sleep on you or control them physically across an aisle. Airlines should know this.

You cannot put on your child’s oxygen mask from across the aisle. Failing to sit families together would be a huge problem for an orderly evacuation. There’s zero way I would not be climbing over people to get to my kid.

If you crash odds are you’re dead. You’re not climbing over anyone

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was just on a flight where they put my 5 year old across the aisle from me. I booked the tickets together in one transaction and included his age so this was baffling. I talked to the check in people and gate agent and they couldn't do anything because the flight was fully booked. Fortunately I was offering to trade an aisle seat for a middle seat and one of the middle seats next to us was a solo traveler who was happy to take the switch.

Two aisle seats in the same row IS considered sitting "next to."

Realistically though you can't manage a small kid's drink or let them sleep on you or control them physically across an aisle. Airlines should know this.

You cannot put on your child’s oxygen mask from across the aisle. Failing to sit families together would be a huge problem for an orderly evacuation. There’s zero way I would not be climbing over people to get to my kid.

You absolutely can manage a drink and an oxygen mask from across the aisle. The aisle is like 12 inches wide - this ain't first class.

You can't take a drink from the flight attendant for your kid when they're across the aisle because the drink cart is in between you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The last two times my family wasn’t seated together it was because the airline changed the aircraft after we’d booked the tickets.
We’d done our part and paid for seats together and the gate agent was able to move us around.
Sometimes the outrage over “people were too cheap” just isn’t warranted.

This happened to us recently too!!! In business! I was shocked. I’m wondering now how many of these news stories of obnoxious-sounding families are really problems caused by the airline booking systems.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've flown 6+ times a year for 20+ years. I can count on one hand the number of times I have heard an announcement asking for a seat switch volunteer. It occurs less frequently than the "this flight is oversold" announcement which is also rare. I have never personally been asked. Maybe I have a mean face? I think this problem is totally overblown by things like Reddit and is not a real problem.

I don't know. I don't fly with my kids a lot, but it happened to me and the stewardess told me to ask people to switch. No one would. My kids threw up on the plane. A lady next to him gave him a bag. At least she was very kind.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was just on a flight where they put my 5 year old across the aisle from me. I booked the tickets together in one transaction and included his age so this was baffling. I talked to the check in people and gate agent and they couldn't do anything because the flight was fully booked. Fortunately I was offering to trade an aisle seat for a middle seat and one of the middle seats next to us was a solo traveler who was happy to take the switch.

Two aisle seats in the same row IS considered sitting "next to."

Realistically though you can't manage a small kid's drink or let them sleep on you or control them physically across an aisle. Airlines should know this.

You cannot put on your child’s oxygen mask from across the aisle. Failing to sit families together would be a huge problem for an orderly evacuation. There’s zero way I would not be climbing over people to get to my kid.

You absolutely can manage a drink and an oxygen mask from across the aisle. The aisle is like 12 inches wide - this ain't first class.

You can't take a drink from the flight attendant for your kid when they're across the aisle because the drink cart is in between you.

Sure you can. Take the drink. Put it on your tray. Wait for the cart to move a row back. Hand drink to child. Are you this bad at life logistics?

[Anonymous]

If you don't pay to book seats next to your kids or book so late that seats together aren't available, you get what you get. If you can't sit apart from your kids, take another flight! For goodness sake, do not get on a plane knowing you do not have seats together and then expect people who did plan ahead to change seats to accommodate you. Just no.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you don't pay to book seats next to your kids or book so late that seats together aren't available, you get what you get. If you can't sit apart from your kids, take another flight! For goodness sake, do not get on a plane knowing you do not have seats together and then expect people who did plan ahead to change seats to accommodate you. Just no.

I mean sometimes you book seats together and then when you go to check in, they've moved you around. One time they upgraded my spouse and wouldn't un upgrade him, which threw off our seats.

[Anonymous]

Airlines need to make sure that families are seated together. And enough with paying extra for this and that. I can see paying extra for first class.

Why are we made to scramble all the time during air travel? It's awful for everyone. Flying really has become such a chore.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Airlines need to make sure that families are seated together. And enough with paying extra for this and that. I can see paying extra for first class.

Why are we made to scramble all the time during air travel? It's awful for everyone. Flying really has become such a chore.

No one is forcing you to fly. You get what you pay for.

[Anonymous]

So, someone asks. Say no if you want. Most of DCUM are so horrified at being asked, asked anything. Such wimps, so rattled by the experience of saying a simple, "no"

[Anonymous]

I will generally change for someone to sit with kids (younger than teens), but not for them to sit with another adult (unless that adult has an apparent disability or they mention a need due to a disability).

[Anonymous]

We fly often with three kids. Often, when the planes are smaller with the 2:2 configuration, one of our kids sits in front of us with a stranger. Sometimes behind us. I prefer in front so I can see, but it's not always possible. Knock on wood it's been fine and my kids are good travelers (with entertainment).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Airlines need to make sure that families are seated together. And enough with paying extra for this and that. I can see paying extra for first class.

Why are we made to scramble all the time during air travel? It's awful for everyone. Flying really has become such a chore.

No one is forcing you to fly. You get what you pay for.

Well my sons are adults now but I don't remember paying extra to sit together. Maybe I did. I just wish flying was easier for everyone.

[Anonymous]

"I mean sometimes you book seats together and then when you go to check in, they've moved you around. One time they upgraded my spouse and wouldn't un upgrade him, which threw off our seats."

You're adults. Sit apart. You'll see each other when you get there. The only appropriate time to ask people to switch seats is for something important -- like putting a parent with a child. But otherwise, no.