(I consider this a harmless lie. But cant control cancellations and sh**** rebooking. 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. Web1. would be "I do not wish to change" or "I reserved this seat" or (again) "This seat is just fine". My husband and I sit aisles with me in front of him as I dont recline my seat but one notch. For instance, another Redditor faced a similar scenario where a parent tried negotiating a seat trade so that her son got the window seat to look outside. I suggest that stewards look elsewhere for volunteers if fellow passengers try to shame me from the sidelines. I Refused to Switch Seats on a Plane. I cant believe 2 adults HAVE to sit together on a plane flight. Was I wrong to hold my ground? How can I tactfully refuse to tell my loving brother my home address? In literally hundreds of flights, I have been asked only twice to change seats, once by the flight attendant to allow a very elderly and frail woman to sit next to a member of her family, who was seated next to me. We collect and tell stories of people from all around the world. The other time, a woman in her twenties, some 30 years younger than I, travelling alone, asked me to change my aisle seat for her center seat "because it will be easier for me to work on my computer." Interpersonal Skills Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for people looking to improve their interpersonal communication skills. Do not engage with a pushy passenger. Make it clear that you are not up for argument. Several passengers made nasty comments. Is it okay to ask someone to swap seats on a plane? He asked if the man seated in the aisle would mind switching with his wife in the window seat. Was I Wrong? The reader submitting the question wrote: I am an organized person. And upon refusal, theyre mostly treated differently and are often lashed at for no reason. We would just suck it up and sit apart. 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. Never again. And I, as well, really dont care how adorable your kids are. Join half a million readers enjoying Newsweek's free newsletters. @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. To be fair, sometimes when you book with points for example, you cannot book the entire family together at the same time, one explained. I am an organized person. Some people will of course become argumentative, but I am of the opinion they would have become so regardless of what you said. 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.). 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. It was usually an individual request. I usually answer 'Sorry, but I prefer mine, thanks'. When I meet new people, they often apologize on behalf of Minnesota (Sorry about the winters! as if I didnt know it was cold here before I came) or express shock that I chose to move (I would love to live in Denver!). It really edges on entitlement in my book for families coming onboard and somehow feeling theyve earn the right to seat privileges, disturbing other passengers and peer pressuring them into giving up their seat. Sorry, but crew getting premium seats should be the exception. 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. ), Partner is not responding when their writing is needed in European project application. Others shared complaints about negative experiences they'd had on flights when parents asked them to sacrifice their own comfort for the sake of a child's. It's been my experience that when people want a reason, it's to argue. But you may be able to short-circuit these annoying conversations. Four passengers seated themselves forward from their assigned seats before takeoff. 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No Im not switching for a middle seat. Sometimes, aircraft swaps are beyond your control | Photo: Pixabay/tstrong20. So, I politely refused. 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. I do not give up my assigned seat. I am not sure I understand: they want you to take their worse seat (dirty, middle or whatever), just like that? I pick my seats carefully because of my joint condition. 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. And I always ask if an upgrade is available. Unless they make a convincing appeal for why they really need my seat, I say something like "sorry, but I specifically reserved {an aisle seat, a window seat, a seat in the front of the plane, etc}". The now vacant two seats were given to a lady and her little boy. Now, with respect to the scowling and hostility: stay polite. as in, "this can be their problem, not mine". How can I properly refuse my mother's help? Don't give them any opening which would allow them to argue with you that their "need" might be greater than yours. Don't give them any information they don't need to know - and the only thing they need to know is that you cannot help them resolve their problem. As we finalized our guest list, it was obvious to me that his single sister would not get a plus one for the wedding. And like her, I am NOT your sweet old aunt or grandmother. I certainly wasnt happy with that situation, particularly because I had paid extra for my original seat. There have been times when our flight was cancelled or missed a connection and there werent seats together. A COUPLE have sparked debate after they asked to move seats during a flight - only for a passenger to refuse. A few years ago the passenger next to me was overweight and had booked two seats so Im happy with the extra elbow room. Commenters said they supported his decision, adding that it would be good for the child to learn they couldn't have everything their way. Is there a proper earth ground point in this switch box? I happily switched when they offered to move me to first class! When I travel, I book my flights well in advance. travel.stackexchange.com/questions/48775/, We've added a "Necessary cookies only" option to the cookie consent popup. Is it suspicious or odd to stand by the gate of a GA airport watching the planes? (Edit in response to @M.Mat) And you can conclude the whole interaction by offering to help: "I understand your need to find a different seat; I'm sorry I can't help you with this. My moving would allow them to sit together. For the world, for that matter. (They could have booked in advance, too.) Now a flight attendant wouldnt ask that because they know the reason. It is crazy to expect people to give up an aisle seat for the middle seat. Tone is important the aim is to sound firm, but not irritated by the request. We can ask experts for advice, and your story could be featured on Newsweek. Requests to change seats should be made to the flight attendant not to the passenger. Even the longest flight on earth is 16 hours and however much you love your husband, kids, sister, uncle, or fourth degree cousin am sure most people can survive being separated by five meters of seat rows for the duration of a flight. The same happened to the lady beside me. WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Travellers unfair seat swap request. Her video has been viewed more than 840,000 times - with a majority of people applauding her for refusing to switch seats. Shall I press the call button so they can help you?". Its unclear whether the 25-year-old booked an aisle or a window seat - but she made it abundantly clear she wasnt going to give up her spot to be wedged between two passengers. In this case, my response to "why?" A passenger on Virgin Australia airlines started a debate over airplane etiquette after a man said no to swapping seats so he could sit next to his wife. Flying with young children is challenging; doing so while sitting in separate rows, or under unexpected circumstances (a distant family member falling ill, for instance), is far more difficult. Peters did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Flying with young children is challenging; doing so while sitting in separate rows, or under unexpected circumstances (a distant family member falling ill, for instance), is far more difficult. I book my travel well in advance and select my seat at the same time. I made friends with a woman whom I see at my kids play dates and in the park. If they pressure you, or ask why you can't help them, simply move forward with the only thing you can help them with: "Again, I can't help you, but I'm pressing the call button and someone will be here shortly who may be able to help you. 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. 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. They asked the netizen if they could change seats with them, to which they politely refused, while also giving them a couple of reasons why. Certainly not!" If they do, book early and pick your seats like I do. 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. I told the crew member that unless they [American Airlines] gave me a first-class seat near a bathroom and immediately refunded the $164.00 I paid for my seats to and back from London, I was staying where I was. I will never take a window seat in an exchange unless its in first class. I have only added it to my answer as a non-verbal alternative to my original gambit. Needless to say, she walked away defeated and I kept my seat. 2. Especially if a longer flight. However, there are many reasons why people who want to benefit out of extra legroom refuse to trade their seats. This will clearly explain the other person that you are not refusing to switch seat because you don't like her, but because you have some real issue with other seats. Unfortunately it was an uncomfortable flight since he could barely fit in his seat. RELATED: The 7 Dirtiest Things on an Airplane, According to a Flight Attendant. Book the right seat first.' 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. Grow up. I have long legs, and those seats tend to provide more legroom not that I have to justify myself. The thing that really bothered me, was that a crew member was dead heading and was seated in an empty middle seat in the exit row. 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. Across TikTok, the audio in the video has been used by many to discuss the experience of being asked to look after or pander to the needs of another person's kids. It was my one and only time to travel in first class. Terms apply. I asked why and was told the elderly lady wanted to sit with her husband. 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. I was very upset but it was too late to complain. Was I wrong to hold my ground?, The New York Times expert replied with: Generally, you are entitled to sit in the seat that you paid for the one that is printed on your boarding pass. How to refuse someone asking for additional help "while you're at it"? Another commented: 'Bro I'm sick of people asking to switch seats. So it is an aisle seat or business class or better. It has been a On other occasions when flying alone, I found myself in the middle seat between a married couple who hoped the seat would remain vacant. If the request does not come from a flight attendant, just say. For instance, a woman was asked to switch seats owing to ultra-Orthodox beliefs. 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. Hundreds of commenters said they agreed with her decision and would have done the same. But they will make time to deal with an urgent request involving the very old, the disabled, and young children. However, a pilot made a shocking revelation why switching seats before a takeoff can be very dangerous. Read a book. They can even offer you a reason to switch. Respond appropriately depending on their situation. Shockingly, the crew never intervened in Wolfsons matter both the times until she sued them. But with Southwest, there are no seat assignments, I would gladly switch if the airlines priced all seats the same like they used to but am not giving up a AA PREFERRED MAIN CABIN SEAT that I either paid extra for or got thru my loyalty to AA. 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. In the caption under a video posted Tuesday, Audrey Peters, a 25-year-old influencer from Miami with 653,000 TikTok followers, said she refused to give up her assigned seat on a flight for a middle seat when asked to by a group of passengers. Now, its getting annoying. "Offering" implies something that is more of a gift and not as easily refused. Twice. When Garg refused to switch seats, her seatmate began 'muttering profanities' about her for the duration of the flight. 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. (Maybe its all three!) My mum literally ditched us when her seat got upgraded to first class.. "Can I call the flight attendant? document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 60,000 points bonus, 3x points on dining, $50 annual hotel credit. 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 Your comments are much appreciated! Disagreeing with an answer is not a reason to comment. Tim Nickerson has learned just how aggressive the commandeering of seats can be. A viral TikTok has reignited a debate about whether or not to swap seats on an airplane when asked. The worst part was that her boyfriend, who could have doubled for The Rock, was waiting for her at the gate when we arrived. Terms apply. I remember once, I was flying from Los Angeles to Las Vegas, and I had an aisle seat. Many passengers are downright with their refusal | Photo: Pexels/athena, SEAT SWAPS BEFORE TAKEOFF CAN BE RISKY, CLAIMS PILOT. 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. You werent wrong to politely refuse a request to move. Im not exactly clear whether your objection to the plus one is that his sister is unmarried, her P.D.A. Generally, you are entitled to sit in the seat that you paid for the one that is printed on your boarding pass. 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. But would you trade your comfort for someone who wants to sit with their kid? Credit: Audrey Peters. I would simply never ask. WebIn the caption under a video posted Tuesday, Audrey Peters, a 25-year-old influencer from Miami with 653,000 TikTok followers, said she refused to give up her assigned seat on a Just before takeoff the flight attendant told me I had to switch seats. Different people have different levels of willingness to move. I paid extra for this seat', she recalled. That was a HARD NO. A man asked if he was in the wrong to ask a fellow airline passenger to switch seats with him so he could sit by his wife. One time we were traveling internationally and a woman wanted my window seat. So far so good. This body language should be enough to re-establish your privacy. Still, you have an equal vote here. "Sorry, but I just didn't like moving from my chosen seat once I am settled". Bureau of Transportation Statistics reported that, Everyone Practices Cancel Culture | Opinion, Deplatforming Free Speech is Dangerous | Opinion. For more engaging lifestyle content, visit 7Life on Facebook. Why say you're sorry? Viewers readily assured Garg she was hardly in the wrong here, as people expressed their own frustrations with fellow airplane passengers who not only ask people To subscribe to this RSS feed, copy and paste this URL into your RSS reader. I fully agree with your stance., One added: Its not my fault you guys didnt plan it better., Another added: If youre asking to switch seats my new seat has to be equal or better than where I am now. The audio, which originates from a scene in the 2023 thriller movie "The Reading," has been going viral on TikTok in recent weeks and has been used in more than 70,000 videos. 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 Dont forget to do the same if youre found in this situation! When it comes to small children, the rules do get thrown out because you cant expect little kids to sit alone. Generally, you are entitled to sit in the seat that you paid for the one that is printed on your boarding pass. Any number of passengers could have done so to accommodate those families. "Turns out we were seated in front of kids that kicked the seat for the entire 8 hour flight. I'm short enough that my legs fit in just about any airline seat. Others said you are never obligated to switch seats (even though in some situations it might be the nice thing to do). No Im not switching for a middle seat. Seating arrangements in planes are first-come, first-served, and in some cases, youd get some added perks like extra legroom. Its not my fault the couple didnt reserve seats together. However, Mr Kloss was still I was a little shook up but my response made my daytill she accosted me again when getting my luggage so I notified the police in the area at LaGuardia and they walked her to their office. Unless you have special access to some kind of reservation system, they had the same chance you did of getting that seat. Watch a movie. There were several conversations between the young woman, the lady next to her trying her best to sit in the seat she was assigned and the stewards, including the head steward from first class and the co-pilot. rev2023.3.3.43278. The asker may try to argue, or come up with an alternative solution. If you are someone trying to get a fellow passenger to switch seats, then make sure you have something to bargain with and if you dont, cash helps. Keep in mind, though, that his sister may be very important to him. How should I respond when people question my life choices after just meeting me? I select mine well in advance esp. I had a situation a few years ago when the plane was full except for the middle seat next to me and the seat directly behind it and we were all waiting for the doors to close. The man asked another male passenger to swap seats with Wolfson. ": I don't understand the suggestion of offering to call an attendant for them, as if the person's insatisfaction with their seat and interest in your seat would mean that their problems have somehow also become your problem. One positive story and one crazy one. 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. Obviously, there are a lot of variables involved. 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. Man refuses to swap plane seats for a mother and her baby because he paid extra to sit there 2 Passenger with no experience lands private plane after pilot incapacitated Palm Beach International Airport/Live ATC Recordings It leaves the door open for them to propose something different that still satisfies my requirement; if a family is trying to do seat-Tetris to sit together, maybe that information helps them. The most coveted coach seats are the exit row and bulkhead so you cant ask someone to switch rows from one that has extra space to one that doesnt. Even on Southwest, this has happened when I had early boarding because I paid extra or checked in literally at 24 hours before and the C boarding category folks get pushy demanding that I move 15 rows to the back of the plane kind of thing. One person explained on Reddit how his five-hour-flight journey kickstarted with a mother cussing him mid-flight. Plan ahead or drive. I suspect that the answer is "no". Your frustration mid-flight wouldve hardly started until you hear a screaming kid near your seat. He came back and asked me to switch seats. Bulkhead seats usually have ample legroom than the other seats of the same fare class.
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