refusing to switch seats airplane refusing to switch seats airplane

No, thank you. "but this was a time not to be tactful." ignore the intimidation. How can I tactfully refuse to switch seats on flights? But when this passenger refused to move, the family was not pleased: "The woman said that I was being an a**hole and should just give up my seat so she could sit with her husband and kids. A man sparked a debate amongst passengers after refusing to move from his seat on a 10-hour flight for a mum and a baby - but he paid extra for his seat that had extra legroom Do whatever you would normally do. I totally understand both sides but as someone who is extremely organized and who spends hours planning trips and setting seat alerts so that my family and I get the seats were most comfortable in, it bothers me when I hear stories like this. A PASSENGER refused to swap seats so a husband could sit with his wife and child on a plane. Either give me the money or book earlier. say instead "Thank you for. Arleen's video sparked a number of duets and stitches from users who shared their own stories about people they have seen refusing to move seats on a flight.. One user called @lizarddame shared a story on January 15 about traveling with a A flight passenger has sparked a big debate after a man refused to swap seats with him so he could sit next to his wife on her You refused. But my fianc objected. After all, maybe youd paid extra for this particular seat or chose it after careful research. She got in my face and continued her tirade at lower volume but I took then took the opportunity to say loud enough everyone could her me included 3 stewards standing frozen waiting to jumpdont threaten me again or I will scream and you wont be sitting anywhere other than the police room at the airportI got almost a 100% standing ovation from all within earshot. However, he refused and said hed paid for the extra legroom, but the woman didnt stop condemning him: ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?! I was in the window seat, my husband in the aisle seat. The second step is to listen to their reason for wanting to move (usually this will be given when someone makes such a request). Several passengers made nasty comments. travel.stackexchange.com/questions/48775/, We've added a "Necessary cookies only" option to the cookie consent popup. But in the last year as restrictions have eased, travelers have begun booking vacations and business trips again and the Bureau of Transportation Statistics reported that U.S. airlines carried over 71.2 million scheduled service passengers in May 2022. A handful of people who commented on the post said they were parents themselves. I think the flight crews should be more proactive about that when they see an uncomfortable seating arrangement, when they have crew on travelling on board. I empathize with people traveling together who wish to sit together, including families, but every legacy carrier has a flexible seating chart that you can monitor from booking time literally until almost boarding time. News.com.au ran a poll asking whether the passenger whom Aussie man Jay Kloss asked to switch seats with should have given it up and a massive 83 percent of Is it okay to ask someone to swap seats on a plane? But thank you for asking!" But I digress. And if there were none left, they could have called the airline and figured it out ahead of time. I find myself bristling at how pushy she is: insisting that I parent like she does or attend events Ive already told her I dont want to go to. With a packed flight you get what you get. It only takes a minute to sign up. Probably because I was by myself at the window she asked the steward if I would move so she and her BF could sit together. Twice. This usually lets me claim my preferred seat: on the aisle in the bulkhead row. Im a bit taller and try to plan out my travel so that I do have an aisle seat also as I have a bad knee. That doesn't obligate me to sit in a less-comfortable seat by other criteria. In this case, my response to "why?" Because I am handicapped, I paid the difference and chose the Main Cabin rate to be a little more comfortable. Other people can do so as well. You are allowed to be as old-fashioned as you and your fianc agree to be. Bulkhead seats usually have ample legroom than the other seats of the same fare class. I always pick a right-side aisle seat for the ease of mobilityso I wont have to inconvenience the other 2 passengers if and when Mother Nature calls. Unfortunately it was an uncomfortable flight since he could barely fit in his seat. to Switch Seats How to react to a students panic attack in an oral exam? How to tactfully refuse to switch seats on flights - Quora I also try to keep our rows close together so people dont have to move their bag in the overhead if I dont reach them in time. Since it's somewhat unclear, I want to clarify the tone I aim to set: The intention is to show them I am assuming they have good intentions, not to be patronizing or sarcastic. Obviously if the other person is way taller than you, give her the seat ;). I am 80+ years old and have a brace on my left leg. Man Refuses To Switch Plane Seats With Newlyweds But Feels Like A 'Villain' After Passengers & Crew Turn On Him By Megan Quinn Written on Mar 01, 2023 Photo: DavideAngelini / Shutterstock Well, it sounds nice. A passenger's story about refusing to switch plane seats with a In a similar incident in 2020, Wolfson faced the same dilemma during her flight to London. Was I Wrong? He came back and asked me to switch seats. I dont give up my seats. After deciding to remain in her seat, she reflected: I dont want to look like an a-hole, but I dont think Im an a-hole in this situation. How can I refuse to kiss my mother while minimizing the hurt feelings? I had settled into my aisle seat. Commenters said under Peters' video that they would have done the same thing if they were in her position, adding that they didn't think passengers should ever feel pressured to move from the seat they booked, especially when they're not being offered better seat. Now, none of this obliges you to change seats. This brings me to my problem: The last two times Ive flown, a steward asked me to change seats to accommodate a parent flying alone with small children. This approach communicates that I have a specific preference (that I arranged for). These sorts of comments inevitably lead to arguments. For the world, for that matter. I am not sure I understand: they want you to take their worse seat (dirty, middle or whatever), just like that? Attempting to interfere with the duties of a flight crew member. Because of that, you owe someone else nothing. Of course, that never happens. If you want to avoid having to cave to peer pressure or looking like the bad guy by not switching seats to accommodate families, then book a seat in the exit row since kids under 15 cant sit there. Its not fair for flight attendants to move or let people move to these seats when one or more paid extra to sit there.. refuses Then came the looks. Unless otherwise requested by a crew member, you arent required to switch places with anyone else. Book the right seat first.' RELATED: How to Get the Exit Row For Free. Its an added advantage to passengers, especially if the flight is considerably long and tiring. switch Another commented: 'Bro I'm sick of people asking to switch seats. (I consider this a harmless lie. But not everyone would be willing to move from their comfort zone, and one guy proved hes no exception either. By clicking Accept all cookies, you agree Stack Exchange can store cookies on your device and disclose information in accordance with our Cookie Policy. Its hard for most passengers to say no to someone who wants to sit beside their loved one. So it is an aisle seat or business class or better. If the airline assigned the seats and the parent is separated from the child, and asks someone to switch so they can sit next to their child, and the person wont It was a bit awkward, but we all survived and arrived safely at our destination. Travellers response to familys mid-flight request sparks furious Airlines oversell their scheduled flights to a certain extent in order to compensate for no-shows.. "Normally I'd be ok with that but switching spots would mean moving back 20 rows down which leaves me at an inconvenience and I would not get my money's worth," they wrote: "I rejected and said that I would like to keep my seat.". On TikTok, Peters typically posts fashion and lifestyle content, filming herself putting together an outfit for the day or showing viewers some of her recent purchases from designer brands. They asked. For more engaging lifestyle content, visit 7Life on Facebook. (They could have booked in advance, too.) rev2023.3.3.43278. The internet has backed a Redditor who refused to give up their plane seat so a family could sit together. Though some people can vaguely guess their request for a seat exchange would be turned down, they keep trying. That should be the end of it.". Plane Passenger Says Seatmate Kept 'Mumbling Profanities' After Ideally, the passenger with a pressing, real need (not just a want) for a seat change thinks ahead and discusses his problem with the agents at the desk in the boarding area, who can alert the cabin crew. This is your wedding. Instead simply express your unwillingness to move e.g. I select mine well in advance esp. I would simply never ask. In the end, she switched places to avoid any delay to the flight. Do not engage with a pushy passenger. Be better., One suggested: To be honest - this mindset p***es me off., While another added: God forbid we be expected to make anyones life easier!. For me, it probably wouldnt be worth the emotional energy (and possible fallout at future play dates) to stage a formal breakup with a casual acquaintance. If you disagree, downvote or write your own answer. (Lets put aside rules about emergency exit rows and other special circumstances.) But Im not going from an exit row or bulkhead seat I paid for just because someone wants to sit next to their special someone. I suspect that the answer is "no". Dont forget to do the same if youre found in this situation! In a TikTok post which has now garnered more than 900,000 views, Audrey Peters toasts the camera with a glass of fizz.. Another commented: 'Bro I'm sick of people asking to switch seats. When a family asks me to switch seats on the plane so they can sit together, she said in a TikTok video - as she filmed herself sipping a glass of champagne after the seat rejection. I do not know what exactly was going on, but I do not think it appropriate to ask a passenger to give up his/her seat and really not appropriate to get a pilot to ask. For instance, a person named Onne Vegter explained on Quora hed refused to swap seats with a woman because she wasnt willing to give up on her emergency exit seat. Requests to change seats should be made to the flight attendant not to the passenger. Was I Wrong? The reader submitting the question wrote: I am an organized person. Williams with the infant and her two older children, three-year-old Theodore and two-year-old Gigi, were seated together in a row. Reddit user u/throw44245t363 explained that they initially said yes, but after they saw the seat they wo As a non family-attached member of society, who travels a lot and was faced with this more than once, it really bugs me when families put single travelers in this situation. Especially lately, I noticed the trend are folks who have basic economy tickets and board last on legacy carriers and seem to be annoyed that they have a bunch of middle seats assigned. I am sorry but I am just as important as you are. The flight attendant asked if I wanted her to ask people to move so we could sit together, and before I could reply my kids declined saying they were all set they behaved as angels sitting alone. Shortly before take off three flight attendants showed up, called my name and when I identified myself I was LITERALLY pulled off my seat by my arm and given a new boarding pass. Different people have different levels of willingness to move. Imagine being called heartless and cussed for not switching your seats with a mother who wants to sit with her kid in a long-haul flight. Beware: the exchange is not always worth it. But you reserved THAT seat, in advance, and may have paid more for it. Credit: Audrey Peters. Another overweight passenger had booked two seats BUT when he got on the plane, only middle seats were left. Terms apply. I would say "Sorry, but I specifically booked this seat because { characteristics which made you pick that seat}". refusing to switch What should I do? Perhaps they might be able to accommodate your needs.". But I didnt want to move! I had booked a flight and paid for my seat on an Air Canada flight from Toronto to Frankfurt for August 31, 2022. One guy downright refused to swap his seat with a mother who didnt stop condemning him. We booked aisle 6 as my husband is handicap and I was having knee problems, we checked in had our boarding passes for row 6 then while waiting they called my husband up and moved u to the very last row where we were crammed w a baby and mom on the outside The people who sat in our seats were friendly w gate attendant it was a dissgrace, I cannot believe they did this and after hours on the phone Jet Blue was terrible to deal with I am still looking as the flight was expensive for us to be treated like that and to be crammed while my family was in row 7 we were split up my family was there to help me w my husband. WebAITA for refusing to switch airplane seats twice? I always feel that prefacing a statement with 'sorry' might give the other person a feeling that they have a slight upper hand. One person explained on Reddit how his five-hour-flight journey kickstarted with a mother cussing him mid-flight. Would I move to the bulkhead aisle with a screaming baby next to me. So, I politely refused. No Im not switching for a middle seat. The internet has backed a Redditor who refused to give up their plane seat so a family could sit together. Paying extra didnt count for Jack!!! I cant stand people like this if it was their honeymoon, they likely booked way in advance and just didnt take the extra 60 seconds to find seats together. WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Travellers unfair seat swap request. An influencer who said she refused to move seats on a plane so a family could sit together is being met with a wave of support from viewers who said they thought she's completely in the right. And I, as well, really dont care how adorable your kids are. I like it here. This was a very critical situation because the runway was very short, and we would not have been able to stop, pilot Magnar Nordal explained. The next time she tries to pressure you, assert yourself: Ive already said I dont want to go. You could also change the way you respond to her invitations, from Im busy which suggests you would go if you werent busy to No, thanks. That way, your message will be clear. If you are a tall person you may use this explanation: I'm sorry but I chosen the aisle seat because I'm too tall to seat comfortably in the other seats. A man who was unable to book two airline seats next to each other, so he could sit next to his wife became frustrated after a fellow passenger refused to swap A flight passenger has sparked a big debate after a man refused to swap seats with him so he could sit next to his wife on her birthday. He shared his experience, saying: I just simply raised my hand so the child couldnt reach, so I said in a louder tone, please control your child, which made the mom grab the boy and freak out at me and her screaming at me that I shouldnt be such an [expletive] and only think about me.. Euler: A baby on his lap, a cat on his back thats how he wrote his immortal works (origin? I am 75 and mildly handicapped (cerebral palsy mild) and mildly arthritic. When Garg refused to switch seats, her seatmate began 'muttering profanities' about her for the duration of the flight. Should you ask to switch seats? The great airplane debate. - The My kid could be seated five rows away. Hundreds of commenters said they agreed with her decision and would have done the same. Twice. Ive been on both sides of this multiple times. Terms apply. Woman Refuses To Switch Seats on Plane With a 'Karen' I am not giving up my seat I paid $82.00 for. The anonymous passenger said they had started refusing to switch seats altogether unless it was for an upgrade. My future husband has four siblings, one of whom is single. I have long legs, and those seats tend to provide more legroom not that I have to justify myself. I politely said no, that I was comfortable where I was, but she became disrespectful and wouldnt let up even after the plane had taken off and the pilot had turned off the seatbelt sign. Disagreeing with an answer is not a reason to comment. How can I tactfully refuse to switch seats on flights? My mum literally ditched us when her seat got upgraded to first class.. Are you willing to pay me X dollars for me to give up a seat I paid extra for? (Added note: X dollars can be more than you paid, if you want to do so.). When I travel, I book my flights well in advance. It's been my experience that when people want a reason, it's to argue. Just before takeoff the flight attendant told me I had to switch seats. I dislike the implication that taller travellers automatically deserve the more comfortable seats. Tim Nickerson has learned just how aggressive the commandeering of seats can be. If its not me its another male flying alone being asked to move and I find myself chuckling under my breath that that guy got it and I didnt get picked. We would just suck it up and sit apart. Bumping & Oversales | US Department of Transportation WHAT KIND OF [expletive] WONT LET A MOTHER SIT WITH HER SON?!?!?!?!. My first officer was flying, and he experienced problems when he rotated the aircraft: It was very heavy. | doubt the flight attendants even think about this what I call flight attendant gender targeting. Refusing to Switch Commenters said they supported his decision, adding that it would be good for the child to learn they couldn't have everything their way. Drop a comment below! refuses On the Internet Viral Reddit Trending Online The internet has backed a Redditor who refused to give up their plane seat so a family could sit together. Ive changed with families but it was always to another aisle and it kept me from sitting next to some small children! WebNTA. Editorial Note: The editorial content on this page is not provided by any bank, credit card issuer, airline, or hotel chain, and has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. Site design / logo 2023 Stack Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under CC BY-SA. Flight fright: Family asks person to switch plane seats, he refuses But for others, no. I book my travel well in advance and select my seat at the same time. Why say you're sorry? Unless theres a very good reason I will not switch and even then only to an aisle seat. However, in one case the couple wanted to keep their seats (their choice) and I spent the entire flight between them. "I'm sorry you were not assigned the seat you needed. Did the parents book a trip at the last minute for an emergency or did they book far in advance and didnt spend the time to get seats together? So Ill reemphasize not to get made at the person who refuses. It was funny at first. Seating arrangements in planes are first-come, first-served, and in some cases, youd get some added perks like extra legroom. I asked why and was told the elderly lady wanted to sit with her husband. If that doesn't deserve a slapdown, what does? Avoid continuing the argument unless you are willing to be persuaded/come to a compromise. Sorry, but crew getting premium seats should be the exception. Stay up to date with what you want to know. For instance, a woman was asked to switch seats owing to ultra-Orthodox beliefs. Requests to change seats should be made to the flight attendant not to the passenger. Was boarding my flight when a teenage girl was siting in my aisle seat to sit next to her friend in the middle seat. And I'd leave it at that. 60,000 bonus points. Because of this, not many passengers would be willing to swap seats even if the request is being made from parents who badly want to sit with their kids. I will never take a window seat in an exchange unless its in first class. To be fair, sometimes when you book with points for example, you cannot book the entire family together at the same time, one explained. But would you trade your comfort for someone who wants to sit with their kid? "We switched recently to help out a family," one commenter wrote. I suggest that stewards look elsewhere for volunteers if fellow passengers try to shame me from the sidelines. News.com.au ran a poll asking whether the passenger whom Aussie man Jay Kloss asked to switch seats with should have given it up and a massive 83 percent of the 7,178 readers voted No. It has been a turbulent few years for the aviation industry, with the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic putting a halt to worldwide travel. You will never be T A for refusing to switch seats. I said no and told him my switching would not solve the elderly ladys request to sit next to her husband. My buddy Robert Rose, who hosts the popular travel show Raw Travel, which airs nationwide on a variety of networks including CBS, NBC and Fox, posted a message on Facebook, By now, Im sure youve seen all of the terrible images and graphics of states and hospitals being overwhelmed by COVID-19. How about arriving at your seat and finding someone already sitting there, all settled in, who then asks if I mind him taking my seat so he could sit next to his wife? On other occasions when flying alone, I found myself in the middle seat between a married couple who hoped the seat would remain vacant. @LisaMM Here was a young woman asking a much older woman to take a much less desirable sear so that it would be easier for her (the younger woman) to work on her computer. If you have a similar dilemma, let us know via life@newsweek.com. An influencer has been applauded for refusing to swap seats on a flight so a family could sit together.. Bureau of Transportation Statistics reported that, Everyone Practices Cancel Culture | Opinion, Deplatforming Free Speech is Dangerous | Opinion. Just let it be part of your calculation., RELATED: Worst Seatmate Ever: Frequent Flyers Reveal Their Worst Experiences. So thats why, if I couldnt get seats together, I would at least assign us an aisle and a window so we had some leverage and a better chance of enticing someone to move. This is a powerful position to take. Learn more about Stack Overflow the company, and our products. An airline can refuse to transport a passenger for the reasons listed in its contract of carriage, a legal agreement between the passenger and airline, so long as the refusal is not discriminatory, such as: Being intoxicated or under the influence of illegal drugs. This is what the family of the elderly lady (see below) probably did. WebYes a flight attendant can make you switch seats with or without reason. Little did the guy know the womans husband was watching from a corner. A holidaying couple has been commended for refusing to bow to pressure from another passenger who asked them to switch seats so her young daughter, who is First, when I was traveling in my USAF uniform, they asked if I would be interested in moving to first class and travel with an unaccompanied minor. I didnt think fast enough to make that request. A viral story about helping a stranger refuse to switch plane seats