Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We booked our vacation flight to California about a month out -- but there were no seats available next to each other... and only middle seats available. Our twins are 5 yrs old. Have people generally had luck with people switching seats (even tho they have windows & aisles, probably don't want to sit next to needy, possibly crying 5 year olds??) or other options/suggestions for how to handle?

I would have had more sympathy for you - but you need to plan better. You are now asking people who have windows and aisle seats to accommodate you because you didn't get your act together or aren't willing to pay more.

Not the OP.

This is often not a question of planning better. This is the airlines trying to make money. If you book through a third party site, often you get whatever seats the third party site if authorized to give - and sometimes those are only crappy seats. Also, some airlines, like US Air, charge extra for the window and aisle seats, so this might actually be an affordability question. Most airlines do release some seats 24 hours in advance, so get on the website of your airline then and see if you can move your seats together. 24 hours in advance is also when most of the upgrades happen, so some seats may free up as passengers with status get moved around. I have also had help from the gate agent or the flight attendants, but don't count on it.

I agree, though, don't count on anyone switching with you if they had to pay for the aisle or window. Don't expect help from the flight attendants. I was on a United flight recently in economy plus window, with the middle seat open and the aisle occupied. The lady in the aisle was upgraded to first, and the poor guy in the middle seat in non economy row behind us was not allowed to move to the empty aisle seat, even after the plane took off, because "people pay for those seats" according to the flight attendant. Maybe the flight attendants will be nicer on your flight.

I find it reprehensible that the airline split families up on flights in the interest of extracting more money. How can a 5 year old sit by themselves?

Baloney. I am always able to select my seat when I book the ticket. If there is nothing but middles left for me and my family, LOOK FOR A DIFFERENT FLIGHT OR FARE. OP had to know that booking only a month out was going to be a problem.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ugh, that's a pretty crummy situation. Not only are you all separate, but you don't have equal trade value (i.e. I'll trade my window seat in another row for your window seat next to my child).

On top of that, assuming you are leaving from DC, that is probably a 4-5+ hour flight, so switching someone out of their preferred aisle/window seat that they booked in advance isn't a small sacrifice. If it was a 1-2 hour flight, it's a little different.

This may seem a little harsh (and I'm saying this objectively, not as personal attack/judgment), but I think it would be pretty rude to displace someone from their chosen seat (especially on a longer flight) without having an equal trade seat--especially when you knew this while booking the flight.

If you don't get lucky with a cancellation etc., maybe a good compromise would be to take the middle seat behind your child, that way you are close enough if there is a meltdown.

Are you out of your ever loving mind? Would you leave YOUR 5 year old in a row alone with a stranger, rather than ask if someone would be willing to switch?

Another poster beat me to it, but, no I wouldn't have booked the flight expecting others to accommodate me.

OP has every right to ask other's if they will switch, but I don't think it makes those passengers mean or a-holes if they say no.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We booked our vacation flight to California about a month out -- but there were no seats available next to each other... and only middle seats available. Our twins are 5 yrs old. Have people generally had luck with people switching seats (even tho they have windows & aisles, probably don't want to sit next to needy, possibly crying 5 year olds??) or other options/suggestions for how to handle?

I would have had more sympathy for you - but you need to plan better. You are now asking people who have windows and aisle seats to accommodate you because you didn't get your act together or aren't willing to pay more.

I'm not the OP, but how far in advance, exactly, would be required for your sympathy? Last Christmas, I booked flights from DC to Portland in October (so 3 months in advance) and we were still seated in 3 separate aisles (me, DH and 4 year old DD). The gate agent said, "Sorry, it's a full flight, I can't switch anyone. You'll have just ask on the plane if someone will switch with you."

Not sure what they or you expect people to do in such a situation or the OP's situation. Should the children sit alone, next to the strangers who paid more?

3 months out for Xmas isn't a lot. Moreover, you need to not just take the cheapest fare, but find the airline and the fare that works for you. Anyhow, 3 different AISLE seats are a whole other kettle of fish, as PP has said.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We booked our vacation flight to California about a month out -- but there were no seats available next to each other... and only middle seats available. Our twins are 5 yrs old. Have people generally had luck with people switching seats (even tho they have windows & aisles, probably don't want to sit next to needy, possibly crying 5 year olds??) or other options/suggestions for how to handle?

I would have had more sympathy for you - but you need to plan better. You are now asking people who have windows and aisle seats to accommodate you because you didn't get your act together or aren't willing to pay more.

Not the OP.

This is often not a question of planning better. This is the airlines trying to make money. If you book through a third party site, often you get whatever seats the third party site if authorized to give - and sometimes those are only crappy seats. Also, some airlines, like US Air, charge extra for the window and aisle seats, so this might actually be an affordability question. Most airlines do release some seats 24 hours in advance, so get on the website of your airline then and see if you can move your seats together. 24 hours in advance is also when most of the upgrades happen, so some seats may free up as passengers with status get moved around. I have also had help from the gate agent or the flight attendants, but don't count on it.

I agree, though, don't count on anyone switching with you if they had to pay for the aisle or window. Don't expect help from the flight attendants. I was on a United flight recently in economy plus window, with the middle seat open and the aisle occupied. The lady in the aisle was upgraded to first, and the poor guy in the middle seat in non economy row behind us was not allowed to move to the empty aisle seat, even after the plane took off, because "people pay for those seats" according to the flight attendant. Maybe the flight attendants will be nicer on your flight.

I find it reprehensible that the airline split families up on flights in the interest of extracting more money. How can a 5 year old sit by themselves?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ugh, that's a pretty crummy situation. Not only are you all separate, but you don't have equal trade value (i.e. I'll trade my window seat in another row for your window seat next to my child).

On top of that, assuming you are leaving from DC, that is probably a 4-5+ hour flight, so switching someone out of their preferred aisle/window seat that they booked in advance isn't a small sacrifice. If it was a 1-2 hour flight, it's a little different.

This may seem a little harsh (and I'm saying this objectively, not as personal attack/judgment), but I think it would be pretty rude to displace someone from their chosen seat (especially on a longer flight) without having an equal trade seat--especially when you knew this while booking the flight.

If you don't get lucky with a cancellation etc., maybe a good compromise would be to take the middle seat behind your child, that way you are close enough if there is a meltdown.

Are you out of your ever loving mind? Would you leave YOUR 5 year old in a row alone with a stranger, rather than ask if someone would be willing to switch?

Different poster here: I would NOT leave my 5 year old with a stranger on a plane. Because of that, I would NOT book a flight that put me in that position.

'zactly.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We booked our vacation flight to California about a month out -- but there were no seats available next to each other... and only middle seats available. Our twins are 5 yrs old. Have people generally had luck with people switching seats (even tho they have windows & aisles, probably don't want to sit next to needy, possibly crying 5 year olds??) or other options/suggestions for how to handle?

I would have had more sympathy for you - but you need to plan better. You are now asking people who have windows and aisle seats to accommodate you because you didn't get your act together or aren't willing to pay more.

I'm not the OP, but how far in advance, exactly, would be required for your sympathy? Last Christmas, I booked flights from DC to Portland in October (so 3 months in advance) and we were still seated in 3 separate aisles (me, DH and 4 year old DD). The gate agent said, "Sorry, it's a full flight, I can't switch anyone. You'll have just ask on the plane if someone will switch with you."

Not sure what they or you expect people to do in such a situation or the OP's situation. Should the children sit alone, next to the strangers who paid more?

Well your situation isn't quite the same at all...since an aisle seat is pretty desirable, you/your husband can pretty easily trade your aisle seat for a) either the aisle seat across from your child or b) the middle seat next to your child.

Option A is a lateral move and a good deal of passengers would be up for that trade, Option B is an upgrade for the person in the middle.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ugh, that's a pretty crummy situation. Not only are you all separate, but you don't have equal trade value (i.e. I'll trade my window seat in another row for your window seat next to my child).

On top of that, assuming you are leaving from DC, that is probably a 4-5+ hour flight, so switching someone out of their preferred aisle/window seat that they booked in advance isn't a small sacrifice. If it was a 1-2 hour flight, it's a little different.

This may seem a little harsh (and I'm saying this objectively, not as personal attack/judgment), but I think it would be pretty rude to displace someone from their chosen seat (especially on a longer flight) without having an equal trade seat--especially when you knew this while booking the flight.

If you don't get lucky with a cancellation etc., maybe a good compromise would be to take the middle seat behind your child, that way you are close enough if there is a meltdown.

Are you out of your ever loving mind? Would you leave YOUR 5 year old in a row alone with a stranger, rather than ask if someone would be willing to switch?

Different poster here: I would NOT leave my 5 year old with a stranger on a plane. Because of that, I would NOT book a flight that put me in that position.

Anonymous wrote:Ugh, that's a pretty crummy situation. Not only are you all separate, but you don't have equal trade value (i.e. I'll trade my window seat in another row for your window seat next to my child).

On top of that, assuming you are leaving from DC, that is probably a 4-5+ hour flight, so switching someone out of their preferred aisle/window seat that they booked in advance isn't a small sacrifice. If it was a 1-2 hour flight, it's a little different.

This may seem a little harsh (and I'm saying this objectively, not as personal attack/judgment), but I think it would be pretty rude to displace someone from their chosen seat (especially on a longer flight) without having an equal trade seat--especially when you knew this while booking the flight.

If you don't get lucky with a cancellation etc., maybe a good compromise would be to take the middle seat behind your child, that way you are close enough if there is a meltdown.

Are you out of your ever loving mind? Would you leave YOUR 5 year old in a row alone with a stranger, rather than ask if someone would be willing to switch?

Anonymous wrote:Ugh, that's a pretty crummy situation. Not only are you all separate, but you don't have equal trade value (i.e. I'll trade my window seat in another row for your window seat next to my child).

On top of that, assuming you are leaving from DC, that is probably a 4-5+ hour flight, so switching someone out of their preferred aisle/window seat that they booked in advance isn't a small sacrifice. If it was a 1-2 hour flight, it's a little different.

This may seem a little harsh (and I'm saying this objectively, not as personal attack/judgment), but I think it would be pretty rude to displace someone from their chosen seat (especially on a longer flight) without having an equal trade seat--especially when you knew this while booking the flight.

If you don't get lucky with a cancellation etc., maybe a good compromise would be to take the middle seat behind your child, that way you are close enough if there is a meltdown.

If her 5 year old is having a meltdown she has way bigger problems. But I suppose someone likely to demand that paying customers give up their seat for her snowflake is also likely to have elementary-aged kids who still tantrum.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We booked our vacation flight to California about a month out -- but there were no seats available next to each other... and only middle seats available. Our twins are 5 yrs old. Have people generally had luck with people switching seats (even tho they have windows & aisles, probably don't want to sit next to needy, possibly crying 5 year olds??) or other options/suggestions for how to handle?

I would have had more sympathy for you - but you need to plan better. You are now asking people who have windows and aisle seats to accommodate you because you didn't get your act together or aren't willing to pay more.

I'm not the OP, but how far in advance, exactly, would be required for your sympathy? Last Christmas, I booked flights from DC to Portland in October (so 3 months in advance) and we were still seated in 3 separate aisles (me, DH and 4 year old DD). The gate agent said, "Sorry, it's a full flight, I can't switch anyone. You'll have just ask on the plane if someone will switch with you."

Not sure what they or you expect people to do in such a situation or the OP's situation. Should the children sit alone, next to the strangers who paid more?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We booked our vacation flight to California about a month out -- but there were no seats available next to each other... and only middle seats available. Our twins are 5 yrs old. Have people generally had luck with people switching seats (even tho they have windows & aisles, probably don't want to sit next to needy, possibly crying 5 year olds??) or other options/suggestions for how to handle?

I would have had more sympathy for you - but you need to plan better. You are now asking people who have windows and aisle seats to accommodate you because you didn't get your act together or aren't willing to pay more.

The vacation is tied to my husband's work travel - that I did not choose!!! There was no possibility to pay more for seats together.

Ugh, that's a pretty crummy situation. Not only are you all separate, but you don't have equal trade value (i.e. I'll trade my window seat in another row for your window seat next to my child).

On top of that, assuming you are leaving from DC, that is probably a 4-5+ hour flight, so switching someone out of their preferred aisle/window seat that they booked in advance isn't a small sacrifice. If it was a 1-2 hour flight, it's a little different.

This may seem a little harsh (and I'm saying this objectively, not as personal attack/judgment), but I think it would be pretty rude to displace someone from their chosen seat (especially on a longer flight) without having an equal trade seat--especially when you knew this while booking the flight.

If you don't get lucky with a cancellation etc., maybe a good compromise would be to take the middle seat behind your child, that way you are close enough if there is a meltdown.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You have to be prepared t split up. While I hope someone has sympathy and will help you out, you aren't entitled to seats together unless you book them that way. Next time, I'd call the airline directly or find another flight.

This is the response I expected on DCUM (not the other responses). It's the attitude I hear about more and more often when people talk about traveling. "It's not my responsibility to be put out because you couldn't be bothered to book your flight properly. Leave me alone. Also, make sure your child doesn't bother me." You can debate whether or not this attitude is justified, or practical, or why people take this approach (probably airline policies are driving it). I don't have any advice except to be ready for this.

But why should people who paid for seat choice and/or booked earlier bail you out because of your poor planning? Your issue is with the airlines, not passengers who have followed their stated policies.

Wait, what's wrong with that attitude? OP's attitude is worse: We didn't want to pay more than the very minimum and we didn't plan well, so everyone else on the plane should accommodate our preferences.

I usually volunteer when I see this situation because I remember being a little kid scared to fly and having to sit alone. That said, I wouldn't expect that, especially on a smaller flight where people have paid for/reserved in advance their seats.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You have to be prepared t split up. While I hope someone has sympathy and will help you out, you aren't entitled to seats together unless you book them that way. Next time, I'd call the airline directly or find another flight.

This is the response I expected on DCUM (not the other responses). It's the attitude I hear about more and more often when people talk about traveling. "It's not my responsibility to be put out because you couldn't be bothered to book your flight properly. Leave me alone. Also, make sure your child doesn't bother me." You can debate whether or not this attitude is justified, or practical, or why people take this approach (probably airline policies are driving it). I don't have any advice except to be ready for this.

But why should people who paid for seat choice and/or booked earlier bail you out because of your poor planning? Your issue is with the airlines, not passengers who have followed their stated policies.