It only takes a minute to sign up. ", Another wrote: "A mom asked me to give her two ish year old daughter my water bottle that I had ALREADY opened.". And if I paid extra for better leg room, I would only do it if it was a short flight (less than 3 hours) AND I got a refund on the extra I paid for the better seat. Usually, 1 would move and it didnt matter whether I had the window or aisle seat. But this spurs more questions, or silent but detectable hostility and scowling from some of these rejected seatmates. Garg says she was asked to move seats so a mom could sit with her teenager, but 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 And if there were none left, they could have called the airline and figured it out ahead of time. This body language should be enough to re-establish your privacy. The window seat was occupied, but the center seat was open. Flying is already stressful, so be sympathetic not combative. Justin Kase zsixz / Alamy Stock Photo. There were, however, a few people who sided with Mr Kloss. Unless theres a very good reason I will not switch and even then only to an aisle seat. Her video has been viewed more than 840,000 times - with a majority of people applauding her for refusing to switch seats. Do whatever you would normally do. I said, Look, Im sorry, no. 60,000 bonus points. You've attributed them with a positive quality and to do otherwise means they explicitly prove they do not possess that quality people will (primarily sub)consciously attempt to live up to it. If I'm dead-set on not moving, I'd say "Thank you for offering, but I'll keep my seat" which implies they were trying to do you a favor and you've (politely) declined, while asserting your claim to the seat in question. I do not give up my assigned seat. Im happy to be cordial when I see her, but she isnt taking the hint when I respond to her invitations by saying Im busy. They keep coming. No Im not switching for a middle seat. We will not stop that. Terms apply. 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. 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. Its an added advantage to passengers, especially if the flight is considerably long and tiring. WebAfter her video went viral, it reignited a plane etiquette debate that keeps blowing up on TikTok. Unless you have special access to some kind of reservation system, they had the same chance you did of getting that seat. It's the same as leading with "thank you for your patience" tends to make people more patient, or telling a child you've just met about how well-behaved you've heard they are. I cannot help you, but perhaps one of the attendants can. Can I call the flight attendant? And generally a worse seat is not a gift I want. Talk to the flight attendant if you don't like your seat. Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. An aisle seat with just one seat beside me. You may be going on vacation with your band, but that one person maybe going to a dreaded funeral or a new job theyre already stressed about without you adding to their stress level because you need your emotional support humans next to you. You refused. She stated I could call customer service and they would handle it. Sorry but NO..parents with children should plan better and if seating apart is an issue BOOK ANOTHER FLIGHT.your children are not my problem..Sorry but not sorry. Sometimes, aircraft swaps are beyond your control | Photo: Pixabay/tstrong20. Was I Wrong? The reader submitting the question wrote: I am an organized person. 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. Once someone puts their bag in the overhead space, wipes down their seat and puts their stuff in the seatback pocket (not that you want to do the latter since its filled with germs), its more of a hassle for them to switch. Also, it doesnt matter if you paid extra or chose the most appealing freebie seat, the seat allotment printed on your boarding pass belongs only to you. Any number of passengers could have done so to accommodate those families. I chose an aisle seat in both directions as close to the bathroom as I could get which cost me $81.00 each. "I'm sorry, I selected this seat in advance. 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. It's an unspoken rule when it comes to seat swaps | Photo: Unsplash/chrisbrignola. I need to get up and move around so I always pick an aisle seat. Commenters said they supported his decision, adding that it would be good for the child to learn they couldn't have everything their way. I really enjoy the views. Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories! My kid could be seated five rows away. She complained about me all the way to her seat and I was stared at/ glared at. Credit: Audrey Peters. I'm short enough that my legs fit in just about any airline seat. However, in one case the couple wanted to keep their seats (their choice) and I spent the entire flight between them. 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. In a TikTok post which has now garnered more than 900,000 Yes, its a tough situation with all the traveling Dynamics but I think youre within your rights to want to keep the seat that you have unless theres not an upgrade or a reasonable alternative or similar seat available. Was boarding my flight when a teenage girl was siting in my aisle seat to sit next to her friend in the middle seat. I fly often and I usually choose the aisle because it's the only seat where my legs have a chance to fit, because I'm going to put them in the aisle. Was I Wrong? 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. Would I move to the bulkhead aisle with a screaming baby next to me. If it Southwest, I always preboard and will not give up my aisle seat. Perhaps a flight crew 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. I travel to 20+ countries a year sharing my firsthand knowledge of reward travel, travel credit card deals, travel tips and more. The first step in my opinion is to assume the person making the request is doing so with good intentions. To his dismay, he was the womans husband, and he never bothered to give up his seat either. Theoretically Correct vs Practical Notation, The difference between the phonemes /p/ and /b/ in Japanese. And I, as well, really dont care how adorable your kids are. Some people will be bad tempered about having their request declined, however polite, however reasonable you are, and however good your reasons for declining. Your frustration mid-flight wouldve hardly started until you hear a screaming kid near your seat. When Ive seen elderly couples board late and be likely to be separated, Ive offered without being asked. 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. Bulkhead seats usually have ample legroom than the other seats of the Of course, that never happens. Bureau of Transportation Statistics reported that, Everyone Practices Cancel Culture | Opinion, Deplatforming Free Speech is Dangerous | Opinion. On flights, seatmates (strangers near my seat) have asked me to swap my aisle seat (reserved in advance, sometimes paid for), usually to my disadvantage as their seat has some snag (dirtier, narrower, too close to lavatory). However, not everyone was on Audreys side with her seat refusal. Sure, others can ask why. 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. 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. On planes, the best seat is in the eye of the beholder. Book the right seat first.' I definitely wouldnt do it to sit in seat I dont want window or middle. Any number of passengers could have done so to accommodate those families. Never again. If they wanted that seat, they could have done the same thing. The Redditor lost his cool when the mother couldnt control her child from grabbing his phone. 80,000 points bonus, 5x points on select travel. "You don't ask someone to downgrade for your convenience," said one top comment with 46,000 likes. I would say "Sorry, but I specifically booked this seat because { characteristics which made you pick that seat}". Can airtags be tracked from an iMac desktop, with no iPhone? Sadly, it will not be the last compromise you two have to reach. On January 13, a Seattle-based TikToker with 140,000 followers named Arleen How to tactfully refuse to provide academic help? Another overweight passenger had booked two seats BUT when he got on the plane, only middle seats were left. (Lets put aside rules about emergency exit rows and other Nope, thats not a good enough excuse, Im staying hereI think Id get fewer dirty looks and side comments by simply and politely saying no, then trying to figure out whether they have a good enough reason or can incentivize me to move to a worse location. I Refused to Switch Seats on a Plane. AmoMama creates engaging, meaningful content for women. The Reddit user u/Unlikely-Strategy596 shared a story Saturday, asking: "AITA (Am I the a**hole) for not giving up my plane seat so a family could be all together? Don't take it personally, just feel slightly sorry for them ( their attitude is only hurting themselves) as you pick up your book, put on your headphones or do whatever it is you like to do to get ready for a long journey. Im not exactly clear whether your objection to the plus one is that his sister is unmarried, her P.D.A. Another said: People dont realise that airlines make changes to seats you paid and booked for, months in advance., While one added: The airline separates families all the time even though you book well in advance happened to me.. WebAITA for refusing to switch airplane seats twice? How to react to a students panic attack in an oral exam? I am an organized person. 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 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? I happily switched when they offered to move me to first class! For help with your awkward situation, send a question to SocialQ@nytimes.com, to Philip Galanes on Facebook or @SocialQPhilip on Twitter. Sign up for notifications from Insider! They'd still all be together," said one commenter. It's been my experience that when people want a reason, it's to argue. Learn more about Stack Overflow the company, and our products. However, the bizarre requests didnt stop there. I am sorry but I am just as important as you are. One time we were traveling internationally and a woman wanted my window seat. ??? WHAT KIND OF [expletive] WONT LET A MOTHER SIT WITH HER SON?!?!?!?!. When folks have asked me to move, I am very polite but explain that I paid for my seat in advance so that I could have extra leg room or movement. I was very upset but it was too late to complain. The pilot and flight crew needed to know where I was in the event of an emergency. for long transcontinental or international flights. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered. say instead "Thank you for. 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. You will never be T A for refusing to switch seats. I didnt think fast enough to make that request. If I am traveling alone, I will only exchange seats if they are offering a better seat than the one I am in. Yes, I was single back then and when she asked if she could hold my hand if there was turbulence, I couldnt reply fast enough with a resounding yes! But, you gotta be careful what you wish for. Think you might be having a bad day with a delayed flight or uncomfortable seat? We asked why and were told we were in the wrong seats. I cant believe 2 adults HAVE to sit together on a plane flight. And I'd leave it at that. I would not use the approach of pretending to think the request was an offer (as suggested in other answers), unless the asker phrased it as such, because to me it sounds obviously disingenuous. These sorts of comments inevitably lead to arguments. 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. If I was younger and with no brace, I would consider swapping. 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. 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. Does ZnSO4 + H2 at high pressure reverses to Zn + H2SO4? I also think that anyone should realize that switching seats may be against the contract of carriage, airline rules, or country-specific regulations. You werent wrong to politely refuse a request to move. Advertiser Disclosure: The card offers that appear on this site are from companies from which Johnny Jet receives compensation. Several passengers made nasty comments. Meanwhile, some offered an explanation as to why seats can often split groups up. Another revealed: I remember when I worked my a** off to fly first class for the first time and I got made out to be the villain because I didnt wanna move., One wrote: Its so not fun when you reserve a seat and people ask you to move to a middle seat., Another agreed, saying: 100 per cent, it blows my mind that people sometimes then proceed to give you an attitude because you dont want to switch., While one suggested: I paid for my seat. @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. Many passengers have divided opinions after a downright refusal to switch places. 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. Plan ahead or drive. Thanks for reading! Again, as I figure, a family who had not been willing to pay for three seats together. A PASSENGER refused to swap seats so a husband could sit with his wife and child on a plane. In February, a TikToker received more than 9 million views on a post in which he used the audio to document the moment he refused to let a crying child take the last spot on a Formula 1 test ride. I have long legs, and those seats tend to provide more legroom not that I have to justify myself. But I didnt want to move! One guy downright refused to swap his seat with a mother who didnt stop condemning him. | Photo: Amomama, I PAID FOR THAT EXTRA LEGROOM & IM NOT MOVING. For the world, for that matter. How can I politely refuse to help classmates with their work? 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. The passenger stood his ground and politely asked the woman to see if someone in her row volunteered to switch places with her kid. UPDATED: Heres some good insight from a reader, which will make you think twice about giving anyone attitude for saying no. 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. Shall I press the call button so they can help you?". 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. Generally, you are entitled to sit in the seat that you paid for the one that is printed on your boarding pass. I always feel that prefacing a statement with 'sorry' might give the other person a feeling that they have a slight upper hand. 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. The asker may try to argue, or come up with an alternative solution. The man was traveling from Athens (ATH) to either Newark (EWR) on "I'm sorry you were not assigned the seat you needed. 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 I personally hate travelings so I spent a bit more money to be closer.". If you have a similar dilemma, let us know via life@newsweek.com. If you truly do not wish to, you can simply look at the person, smile, and say, Im sorry, but I specifically chose By clicking Accept all cookies, you agree Stack Exchange can store cookies on your device and disclose information in accordance with our Cookie Policy. I think its a tough call. Because of that, you owe someone else nothing. A passenger has been praised online after refusing to swap seats twice on a 10-hour flight. The lady in that seat was moved one row back. FYI the old boyfriend was so embarrassed by her he stayed in his seat and looked sheepish the whole tripHold your ground! In a TikTok post which has now garnered more than 900,000 views, Audrey Peters toasts the camera with a glass of fizz.. But thank you for asking!" But cant control cancellations and sh**** rebooking. We can ask experts for advice, and your story could be featured on Newsweek. Ive been on both sides of this multiple times. Use this approach only if you're willing to move to a different aisle/window/front/whatever seat if they find you one. If someone wants to take a chunk of their life to be mad at a perfect stranger who is being polite, that's their problem, not yours. (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. I am not giving up my seat I paid $82.00 for. But for others, no. She shut up, was taken into the kitchen area and probably got a warning. Sorry, but crew getting premium seats should be the exception. In Deltas first class to NYC I encountered a young woman who, because she met an old boyfriend according to her in the line waiting to get into the plane, wanted to sit next to him, also in first class. It was a bit awkward, but we all survived and arrived safely at our destination. I am keeping the seat I paid for.'". At the last second, two young women came on board and were frustrated that they had middle seats and not together, so the one next to me said Why dont you go back there and take her seat so she and I can sit together? as if it was expected that I would just jump up and do that. However, a pilot made a shocking revelation why switching seats before a takeoff can be very dangerous. No Im not switching for a middle seat. WebAnswer (1 of 4): You are under no obligation to switch seats if asked. Tim Nickerson has learned just how aggressive the commandeering of seats can be. Her video has been viewed more than 840,000 times - with a majority of people applauding her for refusing to switch seats. 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}". What am I doing wrong here in the PlotLegends specification? Johnny Jet does not include all card companies or all card offers available in the marketplace. 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 My moving would allow them to sit together. That one I turned down with "Do I look stupid? Redoing the align environment with a specific formatting, Calculating probabilities from d6 dice pool (Degenesis rules for botches and triggers). What video game is Charlie playing in Poker Face S01E07? I recently had an AA flight from Atlanta to LA, and paid for a preferred seat on the aisle as I usually do. 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. "We switched recently to help out a family," one commenter wrote. I will never take a window seat in an exchange unless its in first class. I trust that most fellow-flyers will then be sympathetic enough to withdraw from the confrontation. Jay Kloss and his wife Zoe were travelling with Virgin 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. Now, none of this obliges you to change seats. TikTok user Surya Garg shared a story about being asked to switch seats on a plane. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. I politely declined. 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. However, Mr Kloss was still Needless to say, she walked away defeated and I kept my 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). Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. "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.". Little did the guy know the womans husband was watching from a corner. 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. Site design / logo 2023 Stack Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under CC BY-SA. I have long legs, and those seats tend to provide more legroom not that I have to justify myself.