How do people feel about even-trading plane seats?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP you are ridiculous. You clearly want people to switch seats with you because you did not plan appropriately. ENOUGH! You are a sanctimonious idiot. I hope we never meet on a plane.

NP. Has no one heard of the airline screwing people over? I always pay for specific seats in advance for myself and my family. I choose seats all together. More than once, when we get to the airport they have moved our seats and they are all over the plane. I’ve asked what I’m supposed to do with young children and have been told by the person at the counter my only recourse is to ask people to switch seats. It’s beyond ridiculous that this is a business policy. Luckily, most people are smarter than the PP and quickly switch when they hear young children are involved. One time someone who would have been sitting next to my three-year old alone was refusing to switch for an equitable seat because they were already “settled in”, as several PPs have referenced. I loudly questioned why they were so eager to sit next to a three-year old by themselves and suddenly they were more than happy to switch.

I have young children and I do NOT believe the above. When young children are actually involved the airline gate agents will engage to help.

This is especially true if PP has proof of the prior seating. (I use paper printouts showing the whole reservation including the seat assignments and seat purchases).

I’ve only asked twice to switch to sit with my kids (once aisle to aisle and once window to aisle) and both times the person said no. The first time, my kids were 9 and 6 and the 9 year old started throwing up. Karma. The last time, they were older and married couple wanted to sit across from each other in the aisle. I totally get it but figured it was worth the ask. No one threw up and all was good.

I once had someone say "no" when I asked to switch seats to sit with my then 6 y/o. So I grabbed the barf bag out of DS's seat pocket and told him to remember to use it "this time" if he felt like he was going to be "sick again." Worked like a charm.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP you are ridiculous. You clearly want people to switch seats with you because you did not plan appropriately. ENOUGH! You are a sanctimonious idiot. I hope we never meet on a plane.

NP. Has no one heard of the airline screwing people over? I always pay for specific seats in advance for myself and my family. I choose seats all together. More than once, when we get to the airport they have moved our seats and they are all over the plane. I’ve asked what I’m supposed to do with young children and have been told by the person at the counter my only recourse is to ask people to switch seats. It’s beyond ridiculous that this is a business policy. Luckily, most people are smarter than the PP and quickly switch when they hear young children are involved. One time someone who would have been sitting next to my three-year old alone was refusing to switch for an equitable seat because they were already “settled in”, as several PPs have referenced. I loudly questioned why they were so eager to sit next to a three-year old by themselves and suddenly they were more than happy to switch.

I have young children and I do NOT believe the above. When young children are actually involved the airline gate agents will engage to help.

This is especially true if PP has proof of the prior seating. (I use paper printouts showing the whole reservation including the seat assignments and seat purchases).

I don’t believe it either. I think people are super passive

I’ve witnessed something similar and the person said no, but the kid was a little older (maybe six?). Never underestimate how entitled and selfish some people are.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP you are ridiculous. You clearly want people to switch seats with you because you did not plan appropriately. ENOUGH! You are a sanctimonious idiot. I hope we never meet on a plane.

NP. Has no one heard of the airline screwing people over? I always pay for specific seats in advance for myself and my family. I choose seats all together. More than once, when we get to the airport they have moved our seats and they are all over the plane. I’ve asked what I’m supposed to do with young children and have been told by the person at the counter my only recourse is to ask people to switch seats. It’s beyond ridiculous that this is a business policy. Luckily, most people are smarter than the PP and quickly switch when they hear young children are involved. One time someone who would have been sitting next to my three-year old alone was refusing to switch for an equitable seat because they were already “settled in”, as several PPs have referenced. I loudly questioned why they were so eager to sit next to a three-year old by themselves and suddenly they were more than happy to switch.

I have young children and I do NOT believe the above. When young children are actually involved the airline gate agents will engage to help.

This is especially true if PP has proof of the prior seating. (I use paper printouts showing the whole reservation including the seat assignments and seat purchases).

I’ve only asked twice to switch to sit with my kids (once aisle to aisle and once window to aisle) and both times the person said no. The first time, my kids were 9 and 6 and the 9 year old started throwing up. Karma. The last time, they were older and married couple wanted to sit across from each other in the aisle. I totally get it but figured it was worth the ask. No one threw up and all was good.

I once had someone say "no" when I asked to switch seats to sit with my then 6 y/o. So I grabbed the barf bag out of DS's seat pocket and told him to remember to use it "this time" if he felt like he was going to be "sick again." Worked like a charm.

Brilliant!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP you are ridiculous. You clearly want people to switch seats with you because you did not plan appropriately. ENOUGH! You are a sanctimonious idiot. I hope we never meet on a plane.

NP. Has no one heard of the airline screwing people over? I always pay for specific seats in advance for myself and my family. I choose seats all together. More than once, when we get to the airport they have moved our seats and they are all over the plane. I’ve asked what I’m supposed to do with young children and have been told by the person at the counter my only recourse is to ask people to switch seats. It’s beyond ridiculous that this is a business policy. Luckily, most people are smarter than the PP and quickly switch when they hear young children are involved. One time someone who would have been sitting next to my three-year old alone was refusing to switch for an equitable seat because they were already “settled in”, as several PPs have referenced. I loudly questioned why they were so eager to sit next to a three-year old by themselves and suddenly they were more than happy to switch.

I have young children and I do NOT believe the above. When young children are actually involved the airline gate agents will engage to help.

This is especially true if PP has proof of the prior seating. (I use paper printouts showing the whole reservation including the seat assignments and seat purchases).

I don’t believe it either. I think people are super passive

I’ve witnessed something similar and the person said no, but the kid was a little older (maybe six?). Never underestimate how entitled and selfish some people are.

What I meant was if you realize your family has been split up, which you can often see way ahead of time if it was a change in equipment somewhere along the way or at least 24 hours ahead of time if it’s done at time of boarding passes being available, and you immediately try to rectify it over the phone or at the ticketing counter when they first open the gate to accept checked luggage and are very persistent and arrive early to deal with it, they will typically fix it for you.

Asking at the boarding gate 10 minutes before boarding is passive.

[Anonymous]

I'll make almost any switch to help out a parent and young child. I don't really care if I sit in the back or the front of the plane, and unless it's a long haul flight I don't care if it's the middle seat. It's fine.

I don't have much sympathy for couples or parents and teens who need to sit together, I think it's silly frankly. But if you're offering a similar seat, I don't mind moving.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP you are ridiculous. You clearly want people to switch seats with you because you did not plan appropriately. ENOUGH! You are a sanctimonious idiot. I hope we never meet on a plane.

NP. Has no one heard of the airline screwing people over? I always pay for specific seats in advance for myself and my family. I choose seats all together. More than once, when we get to the airport they have moved our seats and they are all over the plane. I’ve asked what I’m supposed to do with young children and have been told by the person at the counter my only recourse is to ask people to switch seats. It’s beyond ridiculous that this is a business policy. Luckily, most people are smarter than the PP and quickly switch when they hear young children are involved. One time someone who would have been sitting next to my three-year old alone was refusing to switch for an equitable seat because they were already “settled in”, as several PPs have referenced. I loudly questioned why they were so eager to sit next to a three-year old by themselves and suddenly they were more than happy to switch.

I have young children and I do NOT believe the above. When young children are actually involved the airline gate agents will engage to help.

This is especially true if PP has proof of the prior seating. (I use paper printouts showing the whole reservation including the seat assignments and seat purchases).

I don’t believe it either. I think people are super passive

I think this is a thing that only happens on DCUM. I've never seen it IRL at the airport.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP you are ridiculous. You clearly want people to switch seats with you because you did not plan appropriately. ENOUGH! You are a sanctimonious idiot. I hope we never meet on a plane.

NP. Has no one heard of the airline screwing people over? I always pay for specific seats in advance for myself and my family. I choose seats all together. More than once, when we get to the airport they have moved our seats and they are all over the plane. I’ve asked what I’m supposed to do with young children and have been told by the person at the counter my only recourse is to ask people to switch seats. It’s beyond ridiculous that this is a business policy. Luckily, most people are smarter than the PP and quickly switch when they hear young children are involved. One time someone who would have been sitting next to my three-year old alone was refusing to switch for an equitable seat because they were already “settled in”, as several PPs have referenced. I loudly questioned why they were so eager to sit next to a three-year old by themselves and suddenly they were more than happy to switch.

I have young children and I do NOT believe the above. When young children are actually involved the airline gate agents will engage to help.

This is especially true if PP has proof of the prior seating. (I use paper printouts showing the whole reservation including the seat assignments and seat purchases).

I don’t believe it either. I think people are super passive

I’ve witnessed something similar and the person said no, but the kid was a little older (maybe six?). Never underestimate how entitled and selfish some people are.

What I meant was if you realize your family has been split up, which you can often see way ahead of time if it was a change in equipment somewhere along the way or at least 24 hours ahead of time if it’s done at time of boarding passes being available, and you immediately try to rectify it over the phone or at the ticketing counter when they first open the gate to accept checked luggage and are very persistent and arrive early to deal with it, they will typically fix it for you.

Asking at the boarding gate 10 minutes before boarding is passive.

What makes you think the PP didn’t try all of those things? She never said anywhere she asked at the boarding gate. I have also had this happen to me and tried to fix it far before the boarding gate with no luck. You are putting WAY too much faith in the airlines. Maybe this happened to you a long time ago? Things used to be better, but in the last few years especially it’s all gone downhill.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Once I am seated down and settled in I generally will not want to relocate, better seat or not.

"Settled in"? What, did you have to build a nest? You freaking sat down, with one item in your hands.

First of all, calm down. Second, I would have put my carry-on and medical device in the bulkhead above my seat area. The medical device is $$$$ so I would want it stored close to where I am seating. Third, once seated I would have "settled" in like most people, opening my laptop, placing my bag, all the things. Fourth, you sound like a jerk so the next time someone asks me to switch seats on a plane I will decline and mentally dedicate it to you

It's pretty dumb to be hauling out your laptop during boarding, as you'll just have to stow it during takeoff. And if you're in any seat other than the window, you'll have to get up to let others into your row. I hate the people who heave a sigh, like it's such an inconvenience for them to let me into my seat, they are such important people doing such important work on their laptop. Biotch, you're in economy just like me! You're not important!

[Anonymous]

As long as you ask nicely and take a no, I don't see the problem.

I once had a flight where they booked me across the aisle from my kid (they'd switched planes and reshuffled seats). The woman in the center seat actually thanked me when I asked to switch (my aisle seat for her center seat).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP you are ridiculous. You clearly want people to switch seats with you because you did not plan appropriately. ENOUGH! You are a sanctimonious idiot. I hope we never meet on a plane.

NP. Has no one heard of the airline screwing people over? I always pay for specific seats in advance for myself and my family. I choose seats all together. More than once, when we get to the airport they have moved our seats and they are all over the plane. I’ve asked what I’m supposed to do with young children and have been told by the person at the counter my only recourse is to ask people to switch seats. It’s beyond ridiculous that this is a business policy. Luckily, most people are smarter than the PP and quickly switch when they hear young children are involved. One time someone who would have been sitting next to my three-year old alone was refusing to switch for an equitable seat because they were already “settled in”, as several PPs have referenced. I loudly questioned why they were so eager to sit next to a three-year old by themselves and suddenly they were more than happy to switch.

I have young children and I do NOT believe the above. When young children are actually involved the airline gate agents will engage to help.

This is especially true if PP has proof of the prior seating. (I use paper printouts showing the whole reservation including the seat assignments and seat purchases).

I don’t believe it either. I think people are super passive

I’ve witnessed something similar and the person said no, but the kid was a little older (maybe six?). Never underestimate how entitled and selfish some people are.

What I meant was if you realize your family has been split up, which you can often see way ahead of time if it was a change in equipment somewhere along the way or at least 24 hours ahead of time if it’s done at time of boarding passes being available, and you immediately try to rectify it over the phone or at the ticketing counter when they first open the gate to accept checked luggage and are very persistent and arrive early to deal with it, they will typically fix it for you.

Asking at the boarding gate 10 minutes before boarding is passive.

What makes you think the PP didn’t try all of those things? She never said anywhere she asked at the boarding gate. I have also had this happen to me and tried to fix it far before the boarding gate with no luck. You are putting WAY too much faith in the airlines. Maybe this happened to you a long time ago? Things used to be better, but in the last few years especially it’s all gone downhill.

No I’m a person who travels often with family of 4 and it’s happened to us often and recently.

We’ve never had it where we can’t at least get 2 and 2 together at end of day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP you are ridiculous. You clearly want people to switch seats with you because you did not plan appropriately. ENOUGH! You are a sanctimonious idiot. I hope we never meet on a plane.

NP. Has no one heard of the airline screwing people over? I always pay for specific seats in advance for myself and my family. I choose seats all together. More than once, when we get to the airport they have moved our seats and they are all over the plane. I’ve asked what I’m supposed to do with young children and have been told by the person at the counter my only recourse is to ask people to switch seats. It’s beyond ridiculous that this is a business policy. Luckily, most people are smarter than the PP and quickly switch when they hear young children are involved. One time someone who would have been sitting next to my three-year old alone was refusing to switch for an equitable seat because they were already “settled in”, as several PPs have referenced. I loudly questioned why they were so eager to sit next to a three-year old by themselves and suddenly they were more than happy to switch.

I have young children and I do NOT believe the above. When young children are actually involved the airline gate agents will engage to help.

This is especially true if PP has proof of the prior seating. (I use paper printouts showing the whole reservation including the seat assignments and seat purchases).

I don’t believe it either. I think people are super passive

I’ve witnessed something similar and the person said no, but the kid was a little older (maybe six?). Never underestimate how entitled and selfish some people are.

What I meant was if you realize your family has been split up, which you can often see way ahead of time if it was a change in equipment somewhere along the way or at least 24 hours ahead of time if it’s done at time of boarding passes being available, and you immediately try to rectify it over the phone or at the ticketing counter when they first open the gate to accept checked luggage and are very persistent and arrive early to deal with it, they will typically fix it for you.

Asking at the boarding gate 10 minutes before boarding is passive.

What makes you think the PP didn’t try all of those things? She never said anywhere she asked at the boarding gate. I have also had this happen to me and tried to fix it far before the boarding gate with no luck. You are putting WAY too much faith in the airlines. Maybe this happened to you a long time ago? Things used to be better, but in the last few years especially it’s all gone downhill.

Also some people are jerks and no they are not going to help you big surprise. Not saying this is you. But it’s a factor that I always wonder why people don’t connect those dots.

[Anonymous]

It’s fine to ask.

It’s fine to say “No”.

Just move on.


I’ll move if it helps someone and doesn’t put me out too much.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s fine to ask.

It’s fine to say “No”.

Just move on.


I’ll move if it helps someone and doesn’t put me out too much.

This, exactly. No need for all the histrionics.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Last week I flew cross country and had a middle seat. A couple came and they had the aisle and window seats on either side of me. They said they book that way in hopes the middle seat is not taken. They offered to trade me the middle for the aisle and I sure as hell took them up on the offer! But otherwise, I wouldn’t trade aisle for window, not with my bladder.

Was this a hetero couple? Let me guess: the woman was the one who sat in the middle seat.

[Anonymous]

I have young children and I do NOT believe the above

+1 Every time on this topic...

"We selected seats years in advance and the airlines forced my children to ride on the horizontal stabilizer."

-DCUM, probably