refusing to switch seats airplane

(I consider this a harmless lie. The lady in that seat was moved one row back. Many passengers have divided opinions after a downright refusal to switch places. For help with your awkward situation, send a question to SocialQ@nytimes.com, to Philip Galanes on Facebook or @SocialQPhilip on Twitter. Keep in mind, though, that his sister may be very important to him. Learn more about Stack Overflow the company, and our products. Now a flight attendant wouldnt ask that because they know the reason. The New York Times recently featured a story titled: I Refused to Switch Seats on a Plane. Requests to change seats should be made to the flight attendant not to the passenger. That should be the end of it.". Make it clear that you are not up for argument. 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 Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories! Some folks like the window seat. Your comments are much appreciated! My moving would allow them to sit together. "Can I call the flight attendant? Terms apply. How Hard Is It to Get the American Express Platinum Card? 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. If you don't, you could actually make it the truth by applying a personal policy to book seats with a number which is suitably relevant to you, thereby maintaining a clear conscience.). You will never be T A for refusing to switch seats. My mum literally ditched us when her seat got upgraded to first class.. How can I refuse tactfully, without causing this bitterness? 80,000 points bonus, 5x points on select travel. 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. This is your wedding. If the request does not come from a flight attendant, just say. 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. 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 It only takes a minute to sign up. Generally, you are entitled to sit in the seat that you paid for the one that is printed on your boarding pass. The last time I bought tickets for a flight I did so in advance and chose seats then when preparing to board, was assigned a completely different seat! Well the young woman thru a fit, called me a bitch, etc. However, not everyone was on Audreys side with her seat refusal. When they asked a passenger seated near them if they were willing to switch seats, he refused. Unless otherwise requested by a crew member, you arent required to switch places with anyone else. 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. Of course, I said yes. Unfortunately it was an uncomfortable flight since he could barely fit in his seat. On January 13, a Seattle-based TikToker with 140,000 followers named Arleen As more people travel for work and leisure, discussions about airplane etiquette and passenger comfort have gained traction online once again. There have been times when our flight was cancelled or missed a connection and there werent seats together. Book the right seat first.' Any number of passengers could have done so to accommodate those families. In this case, my response to "why?" Watch a movie. The passenger said the woman continued to "make a scene" and call him out in front of other passengers. I suggest that stewards look elsewhere for volunteers if fellow passengers try to shame me from the sidelines. An influencer has been applauded for refusing to swap seats on a flight so a family could sit together.. Offer another interpretation right away: Sounds like you need a vacation. According to The New York Times, Laura Heywood, 42, was flying to London when she was asked to swap her middle seat with her husband so a man with the window At the time, I was learning Portuguese from cds and decided to spend the rest of the flight with my ear buds and she had to listen to me speak in Portuguese responding to the Portuguese lessons and I made sure she could hear every word all the way across the United States. If they wanted that seat, they could have done the same thing. The window seat was occupied, but the center seat was open. 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. However, in one case the couple wanted to keep their seats (their choice) and I spent the entire flight between them. I like this seat just fine." Her video has been viewed more than 840,000 times - with a majority of people applauding her for refusing to switch seats. They asked if Id be willing to switch, I asked to which seat, they said the same rows other middle seat. Im tall as well but sitting next to screaming children isnt worth it.. Just get an aisle and suck it up if exits and other opportunities dont exist. For more Lifestyle related news and videos check out Lifestyle >>. My moving would allow them to sit together. 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. This is rude, one said. Its happened far too many times for it to be a coincidence. If I am traveling alone, I will only exchange seats if they are offering a better seat than the one I am in. Im so sick of people thinking its ok to disrupt someone for their lack of planning, one said. Assume the best about those making the request. 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. Replacing broken pins/legs on a DIP IC package, How to handle a hobby that makes income in US. I was in the window seat, my husband in the aisle seat. 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. A New York woman who was on a flight recently said she was asked by a young family sitting across the aisle from her if she would swap her aisle seat meaning, How did you react? I booked my ticket specifically to be closer to the front of the plane so I can be closer to the gate when it's time to get out. 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 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'm short enough that my legs fit in just about any airline seat. For example I am generally happy to swap seats if it helps someone out, but also have no inhibition against asking someone for a swap if it means I can be closer to a friend of family member (sometimes booking seats together just doesn't quite work out for one reason or another). One of the male passengers climbed over the seats to avoid any physical contact with her. If this verbal deception doesn't sit comfortably with your personal moral code then you could infer non-specific discomfort with the request by gripping the seat arms and giving a shake of the head with an ashen look on your face. We collect and tell stories of people from all around the world. 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). I have only added it to my answer as a non-verbal alternative to my original gambit. Some people will of course become argumentative, but I am of the opinion they would have become so regardless of what you said. But my fianc objected. Now, none of this obliges you to change seats. No, not happening. A passenger in a middle seat has asked for your coveted aisle one. Johnny Jet does not include all card companies or all card offers available in the marketplace. 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. I had to lean into the aisle the entire flight. 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 Also, our wedding is taking place across the country, and including this man in wedding events over several days doesnt sit right with me. Just let it be part of your calculation. 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. However if their request is reasonable (i.e. I get up a lot of flights and dont want to annoy my seatmates, so I always book an aisle seat, and I often fly alone without my husband. 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. 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. Is it possible to create a concave light? with her boyfriend makes you uncomfortable or you just dont want to see this guy at your wedding. Editorial Note: The editorial content on this page is not provided by any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. Meanwhile, some offered an explanation as to why seats can often split groups up. I was also asked by a mother to switch seats. TikToks about whether adults should make sacrifices for children they encounter often spark debate, especially in the context of flight etiquette and whether it's fair to be asked to swap seats on planes so families can sit together. ALWAYS ask for your money back if you dont get the seat you PAID for. When I watched. Precisely! How can I politely refuse to help classmates with their work? So Ill reemphasize not to get made at the person who refuses. If they say something minor like "I like an aisle seat", you can dismiss their question fairly lightly: "I like an aisle seat too, unfortunately, that's why I booked this one", they are unlikely to be much offended, because they know the request was cheeky. Twice. I really enjoy the views. Travellers response to easy request from Aussie airline passenger sparks raging debate, Passengers very weird act during three-hour flight leaves traveller shocked, Aussie traveller furious after passenger refuses to switch seats with him, Never felt uglier: Why experts fear new TikTok filter could spark mental health crisis, How a girls weekend saved Aussie lawyers life after strange feeling leads to shock diagnosis, Viewers done with living in Australia after battle with Huntsman spider caught on camera, Just 11 minutes of daily exercise could have a positive impact on your health, study shows, Mum makes horrifying discovery about super nice babysitter after hiding GoPro in house, This week in news: 27 February to 3 March, Behind the scenes at our Ute of the Year mega test, Podcast: Cayenne Turbo GT, Jolion S reviews. I definitely wouldnt do it to sit in seat I dont want window or middle. 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. An influencer said she refused to swap seats on a plane so a family could sit together. She told me I HAD to move to a middle seat near the back of the plane. In October, a woman named Maresa Friedman defended herself for not moving seats in a TikTok that went viral, eliciting a response from another creator who urged her to "do better" and have "compassion" for families. Many passengers are downright with their refusal | Photo: Pexels/athena, SEAT SWAPS BEFORE TAKEOFF CAN BE RISKY, CLAIMS PILOT. Attempting to interfere with the duties of a flight crew member. I am 75 and mildly handicapped (cerebral palsy mild) and mildly arthritic. Am I being old-fashioned? The now vacant two seats were given to a lady and her little boy. On planes, the best seat is in the eye of the beholder. I was asked to switch seats with the elderly lady. Book your flights earlier babes. Audrey Peters has ignited a furious airline etiquette debate after she refused to swap seats for a Was I Wrong? The reader submitting the question wrote: I am an organized person. How can I find out which sectors are used by files on NTFS? I have read similar columns like this one. Just let it be part of your calculation., RELATED: Worst Seatmate Ever: Frequent Flyers Reveal Their Worst Experiences. So far so good. And like her, I am NOT your sweet old aunt or grandmother. 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 (Lets put aside rules about emergency exit rows and other "You don't ask someone to downgrade for your convenience," said one top comment with 46,000 likes. Another option is to say, "Thank you for asking! 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. It's an unspoken rule when it comes to seat swaps | Photo: Unsplash/chrisbrignola. Some readers will correctly object that flight attendants are too harried on today's crowded flights to do much seat-rearranging. 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. How can I tactfully refuse to switch seats on flights? Sadly, it will not be the last compromise you two have to reach. 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 would simply never ask. Euler: A baby on his lap, a cat on his back thats how he wrote his immortal works (origin? Think you might be having a bad day with a delayed flight or uncomfortable seat? RELATED: How to Get the Exit Row For Free. Can you explain this part? On other occasions when flying alone, I found myself in the middle seat between a married couple who hoped the seat would remain vacant. | Photo: Amomama, I PAID FOR THAT EXTRA LEGROOM & IM NOT MOVING. 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. 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 flight for a middle seat when asked to by a group of passengers. Was I wrong to hold my ground? Some people will be bad tempered about having their request declined, however polite, however reasonable you are, and however good your reasons for declining. they have reason to believe that a swap would be more beneficial to them than inconvenient to you), then I would take a more polite, understanding approach. They'd still all be together," said one commenter. So, I politely refused. Four passengers seated themselves forward from their assigned seats before takeoff. However, he refused and said hed paid for the extra legroom, but the woman didnt stop condemning him: ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?! Book the right seat first.' Many said they were fed up with passengers attempting to switch seats. Peters did not immediately respond to a request for comment. 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 Credit: Audrey Peters. Editorial Note: The editorial content on this page is not provided by any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. The crew member was relentless and insisted I give up my seat and I stood my ground. Unless you have special access to some kind of reservation system, they had the same chance you did of getting that seat. I am sorry but I am just as important as you are. But for others, no. "I'm sorry, I selected this seat in advance. Justin Kase zsixz / Alamy Stock Photo. But you reserved THAT seat, in advance, and may have paid more for it. And I'd leave it at that. ESPECIALLY when your flight is canceled and the airline is responsible for your choice seat loss on your rebooked flight. Very rarely would I change seats. The 25-year-old said a stranger had asked her to move to a middle seat - leaving her laughing over the unfair request. Disagreeing with an answer is not a reason to comment. Interpersonal Skills Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for people looking to improve their interpersonal communication skills. Garg says she was asked to move seats so a mom could sit with her teenager, but Twice. We were unable to verify the details of this case. Does ZnSO4 + H2 at high pressure reverses to Zn + H2SO4? My husband and I sit aisles with me in front of him as I dont recline my seat but one notch. I didnt think fast enough to make that request. OK, this wasn't tactful, but this was a time not to be tactful. One guy downright refused to swap his seat with a mother who didnt stop condemning him. Just before takeoff the flight attendant told me I had to switch seats. In a TikTok post which has now garnered more than 900,000 Tim Nickerson has learned just how aggressive the commandeering of seats can be. And I, as well, really dont care how adorable your kids are. Perhaps they might be able to accommodate your needs.". 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. You werent wrong to politely refuse a request to move. I think its a tough call. The caption when a family asks me to switch seats on the plane so they can sit together, followed by a raised A COUPLE have sparked debate after they asked to move seats during a flight - only for a passenger to refuse. "but this was a time not to be tactful." One of the suggested responses is perfect: I paid extra for this seat because (insert reason here). Have you been in a similar situation where someone requested you to switch places on a flight? Requests to change seats should be made to the flight attendant not to the passenger. The traveler stated that they despise aisle seats due to always being bumped by trolleys and other people. Pretty much an exact duplicate of this question on Travel SE. We can ask experts for advice, and your story could be featured on Newsweek. If the request comes from a flight attendant, consider the reasons and either say yes, of course (as I did for the old, frail lady) or no, sorry, I'd much rather not. 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. But I didnt want to move! Another overweight passenger had booked two seats BUT when he got on the plane, only middle seats were left. It may seem impolite to downright refuse a parents request to sit next to their child, but others would consider it rude to even ask in the first place. A viral TikTok has reignited a debate about whether or not to swap seats on an airplane when asked. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). That doesn't obligate me to sit in a less-comfortable seat by other criteria. I am an older woman who generally travels solo. This was decades ago and I cant remember why I wasnt in an exit row but a mother sat next to me in the middle and her little boy sat across the aisle in the other middle seat. Then came the looks. Nap. Smile and be polite yet firm. I personally hate travelings so I spent a bit more money to be closer.". It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered. If that doesn't deserve a slapdown, what does? Advertiser Disclosure: The card offers that appear on this site are from companies from which Johnny Jet receives compensation. 60,000 bonus points. Basic economy states exactly that issue if you want to save a few bucks and not pay for the seats. I select mine well in advance esp. Grow up. I am not your sweet old gray haired grandmother, and I dont care how cute your kids are, Im not moving. For a family with a small child, I would seriously consider moving as a courtesy, however since the airlines are all charging you in some way if you want a good seat, they should compensate you for that. There were, however, a few people who sided with Mr Kloss. One person explained on Reddit how his five-hour-flight journey kickstarted with a mother cussing him mid-flight. They can even offer you a reason to switch. Join half a million readers enjoying Newsweek's free newsletters. 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? In these days of having to PAY EXTRA a lot of the time to get a specified seat I agree with everyone who politely says no, weighs ALL of the circumstances and what (everyone has to offer) if I do agree.. And if I dont get a seat I had to PAY EXTRA for, I always request the airline REFUND MY SEAT MONEY! Commenters said they supported his decision, adding that it would be good for the child to learn they couldn't have everything their way. He was crying, I want to sit next to you, Mom! so before she even asked, I volunteered to switch. 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. This usually lets me claim my preferred seat: on the aisle in the bulkhead row. Different people have different levels of willingness to move. 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. lve resigned myself to expect it for its predictability, and I do feel a little miffed when Im picked again because of my advanced planning, but I just move. Needless to say, she walked away defeated and I kept my seat. dear Johnny Jet, it is my understanding that for identification and tracing purposes in case like pandemics and serious aviation or other accidents/incidents, passengers are to remain in their assigned seats; in fact prior to takeoff announcements are made to take the assigned seats in my experience; quite surprisingly to me, i have not seen any reference made to this reason in the comments nor in your own remarks. Justin Kase zsixz / Alamy Stock Photo. I had booked a flight and paid for my seat on an Air Canada flight from Toronto to Frankfurt for August 31, 2022. One positive story and one crazy one. I have long legs, and those seats tend to provide more legroom not that I have to justify myself. Airlines oversell their scheduled flights to a certain extent in order to compensate for no-shows.. I hope you are able to have this situation resolved.". 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 You are allowed to be as old-fashioned as you and your fianc agree to be. If they do, book early and pick your seats like I do. I wouldnt be doing my job, though, if I didnt encourage you to empathize with the parents. 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. I remember once, I was flying from Los Angeles to Las Vegas, and I had an aisle seat. Her seat was an aisle seat two rows behind my husband. No Im not switching for a middle seat. Obviously if the other person is way taller than you, give her the seat ;). Justin Kase zsixz / Alamy Stock Photo. Flying is already stressful, so be sympathetic not combative. How to refuse someone who would like to borrow our baby? It turned out that the gentlemen beside me now was her husband. We were in our mid-70s at the time. Bureau of Transportation Statistics reported that, Everyone Practices Cancel Culture | Opinion, Deplatforming Free Speech is Dangerous | Opinion. I do not give up my assigned seat. Not my fault youre too cheap to pay.. Opinions expressed here are the author's alone. 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. The influencer also posts content about her designer purchases on Instagram, where she has 94,000 followers. We believe that every person's story is important as it provides our community with an opportunity to feel a sense of belonging, share their hopes and dreams. I certainly wasnt happy with that situation, particularly because I had paid extra for my original seat. "I'm sorry you were not assigned the seat you needed. Web1. Usually I would switch, it depends on the situation. 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 Was boarding my flight when a teenage girl was siting in my aisle seat to sit next to her friend in the middle seat. How to refuse someone asking for additional help "while you're at it"? We will not stop that. rev2023.3.3.43278. FYI the old boyfriend was so embarrassed by her he stayed in his seat and looked sheepish the whole tripHold your ground! Terms apply. She stated I could call customer service and they would handle it. See how keen they are to move you after that! 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.

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