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

[Anonymous]

I booked tickets last month for a trip in a few weeks. Would have happily paid for two sets of two seats but only singles are available for my family of four. Hoping a person switches (window for window, one row up) so I can sit next to my 5 year old. My 8 year old will be fine by herself for a few hours.

How else would you handle besides asking to switch?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There was a guy on my last flight who was in the emergency row with a very religious couple who had a lap baby. He claimed he didn't want to sit next to a baby, but the vibe was really that he didn't want to be near Jewish people either. It started getting loud so I told the flight attendant I love babies and would be happy to switch with the man from my aisle seat if that would help.

He agreed and I whispered to the couple that I was jewish too, and spent a three hour flight with extra leg room, a window seat and playing patty cake with a cute baby.

Lap babies (and young children) aren't allowed to sit in the exit row, so this makes no sense.

Yes, this story is called a lame lie.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No. I will not change my seat because you want to sit next your spouse or kids. It isn't my problem you can't sit together.

I also booked special meals I picked or the flight, so get it through your stupidly thick skulls that even if we switched seats, it causes even more problems when people have pre-specified meal picks. And no, I'd never, ever in a million years give up my aisle or window seat for a worse middle seat.

Why do so many morons insist with sitting next to family members if they can't book next to each other? It's a flight. They're not going anywhere and you'll be fine for a few hours. Requesters for switching seats cause so many stupidly awkward situations and can cause even more problems when other passengers may have specific meals or bought items on shops they have to locate your seat in order to deliver to you. Just sit in your own damn seat people and shut up.

You sound like a happy, well-adjusted person.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There was a guy on my last flight who was in the emergency row with a very religious couple who had a lap baby. He claimed he didn't want to sit next to a baby, but the vibe was really that he didn't want to be near Jewish people either. It started getting loud so I told the flight attendant I love babies and would be happy to switch with the man from my aisle seat if that would help.

He agreed and I whispered to the couple that I was jewish too, and spent a three hour flight with extra leg room, a window seat and playing patty cake with a cute baby.

Lap babies (and young children) aren't allowed to sit in the exit row, so this makes no sense.

I agree that doesn’t make sense. I don’t think young children were allowed to sit in the exit row either.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I booked tickets last month for a trip in a few weeks. Would have happily paid for two sets of two seats but only singles are available for my family of four. Hoping a person switches (window for window, one row up) so I can sit next to my 5 year old. My 8 year old will be fine by herself for a few hours.

How else would you handle besides asking to switch?

When you have school age children and want to travel at the same time as all the other people with school age children, you handle by planning trips further in advance. And if you plan last minute, when you look at the flight options and there are no seats together you haven't found the option that works for you. Different airline, different date, different time, different connection. Whatever it is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You are what’s wrong with the human race.
I flew Iceland Air with my spouse and our 4yo. They assigned us 2 seats in the emergency row and one in the back. Then when I sat with the 4yo they said she wasn’t allowed in the emergency row. I’m certainly not having my 4yo sit alone that far away from us. Luckily some complete strangers said they would switch with us.

I’ve switched a row with someone and ordered a vegetarian meal. When they brought the meal to my original seat the person said, “ she’s in the seat behind me” they gave it to me. Took 5 extra seconds if that.

I don’t think you should give up a window or aisle seat for a middle if you paid for it. But any other scenario. Just be kind.

It is your responsibility to book your tickets in accordance with your needs and not rely on the kindness of strangers. I would think if you were traveling with a 4 year old you would be extra focused on the details.
Of course kindness is nice. So is personal responsibility. Be kind and responsible.

[Anonymous]

Because airlines screw up chosen seats ALL the time and the only remedy is a refund (if you paid). You seriously think I'm an ass for *asking* if you're willing to switch with me for a 6 hour flight rather than leaving you to sit next to my unaccompanied 6 year old?

[Anonymous]

FWIW Congress gave DOT explicit authority to propose a rule prohibiting airlines from charging parents extra to set next to their under 10 year olds. Hopefully this shouldn't be as much of a problem soon.

[Anonymous]

If I need someones seat, I offer them money.

Offering to compensate someone for something you need is the decent thing to do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Flying back to DC a week ago we had our flight canceled because of the storm. They rebooked us through a different city, but put us in center seats all over the airplane. We had previously paid to all sit together but we had to take the rebooked flight or stay overseas until after the storm. There were no other seats or flights. I have two small kids, 5 and 8 yo. It was a a 5 hour long international flight. The gate agent said she had no way of seating us together so we'd have to ask on the plane.

What exactly should I have done differently?

Nothing, some times you can't get your way.

Because requesting to sit next to your young child on a long, international flight is about wanted to "get your way."

You're the one who needs something. Nobody needs to placate you after a vacation. Wait for a better flight if it's about the concern for your kids. You can surely afford it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Because airlines screw up chosen seats ALL the time and the only remedy is a refund (if you paid). You seriously think I'm an ass for *asking* if you're willing to switch with me for a 6 hour flight rather than leaving you to sit next to my unaccompanied 6 year old?

Your kid is not unaccompanied. Don't fly if you're worried about the hassle. The international destinations will still be there once your kids are old enough to handle the disruptions that inevitably occur.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I booked tickets last month for a trip in a few weeks. Would have happily paid for two sets of two seats but only singles are available for my family of four. Hoping a person switches (window for window, one row up) so I can sit next to my 5 year old. My 8 year old will be fine by herself for a few hours.

How else would you handle besides asking to switch?

Start bringing cash.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This doesn't bother me I just say no.

I would make an exception if it was a truly young child separate from parents.

Most people asking do not have that as a reason. What pisses me off and I've had it happen more than once is people just sit in the seat they want (that is my seat) and I get there and they are "confused". And then you have to confront them. I had a lady argue with me for a while about my aisle seat she was sitting in. Sorry ma'am. Get out of my seat. I have seen people do this to younger more timid flyers in their 20s who cave to this BS tactic and just give them the seat to avoid a scene.

I’m with you. I find this really loathsome. The ticket is clearly marked. The seats are clearly marked. There’s no confusion if your ticket indicates a middle seat and you were “confused” into sitting in my aisle seat, then you just stare at me and don’t move when I point out you are in my seat.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I booked tickets last month for a trip in a few weeks. Would have happily paid for two sets of two seats but only singles are available for my family of four. Hoping a person switches (window for window, one row up) so I can sit next to my 5 year old. My 8 year old will be fine by herself for a few hours.

How else would you handle besides asking to switch?

Plan better.

[Anonymous]

I have only ever been asked to switch once and I said no. It was for a couple who wanted to sit beside each other.

I choose my seats pretty intentionally and often end up with an empty seat beside me so my seat isn't one people could argue they need to switch too.

They don't assign a 4 year old to an emergency row seat and if they did somehow my accident (although I don't think the system would allow it), the airline would be responsible for fixing it.

I would switch for a better seating option but not worse.