On board seating changes - normal?

[rtyuiop]

Hi folks,

Just had a kind of strange experience on DJ - going BNE-CBR on an Embraer:

Basically, both I and another pax had boarding passes for 4D, and were both allowed to board with no indication of any changes until we figured out there was a problem ourselves (that took a while, because someone else had sat down in 4F instead of 4A which added to the confusion. In the end, it was sorted out quickly and I ended up in 3D (which gave me extra leg room, so I was happy!), but it still seems odd.

I had checked in online the day before, so there could have been seating changes made after that I suppose, but my BP was scanned both at the lounge and at the gate... Surely something should have beeped and given notice about that?

Is this sort of thing common, or did I just genuinely run into something weird on my second DJ flight in years?

Regards,

Danny

 

[StevePER]

I wouldn't say it was common, but I've seen it a lot more on DJ than on QF.

 

[SeaWolf]

I've had a couple of times where I've gotten all the way to the gate, they've scanned my BP and a sort of siren sound has gone off. I've then been handed a new BP with a different seat on it. It's a bit annoying when it happens as I've usually carefully selected a window seat with online check in and then I get shuffled around the plane and end up in a middle or aisle seat.

Never got onto the aircraft and had an overlap with seats on DJ yet though.

 

[JohnK]

I had a similar incident at BNE airport on Friday very late in the boarding process.

There were only a few left to board for the flight to SYD and I heard my name paged to go to the service desk at the gate. The person asked to see my boarding pass (OLCI and then printed boarding pass at check-in downstairs for seat 7C) and then gave me a new boarding pass for seat 4C.

He asked if that was OK and said it was due to aircraft trim.

Now that was a total lie as the aircraft was full and I am suspecting someone else also had a boarding pass for 7C but they managed to pick it up before both passengers boarded.

Are DJ staff encouraged to lie? Why not tell me the truth?

 

[straitman]

I had a similar incident at BNE airport on Friday very late in the boarding process.

There were only a few left to board for the flight to SYD and I heard my name paged to go to the service desk at the gate. The person asked to see my boarding pass (OLCI and then printed boarding pass at check-in downstairs for seat 7C) and then gave me a new boarding pass for seat 4C.

He asked if that was OK and said it was due to aircraft trim.

Now that was a total lie as the aircraft was full and I am suspecting someone else also had a boarding pass for 7C but they managed to pick it up before both passengers boarded.

Are DJ staff encouraged to lie? Why not tell me the truth?

It would have been a weight issue as you mentioned. Two of you in the one seat would probably have broken the seat :!:

Sent from my iPhone using AFF Mobile

 

[JohnK]

It would have been a weight issue as you mentioned. Two of you in the one seat would probably have broken the seat :!:

I have lost a fair bit weight recently so enough of these jokes.

Seriously why tell me at the gate that it is due to aircraft trim when I will board the aircraft and see the real reason? DJ loses my respect more and more with each flight....

 

[drron]

Better than our experience with Air Asia-checking in together mrsdrron asked if we could be seated together-but checking our BPs we were allocated the same seat-well we were together!

 

[munitalP]

I have lost a fair bit weight recently so enough of these jokes.

Seriously why tell me at the gate that it is due to aircraft trim when I will board the aircraft and see the real reason? DJ loses my respect more and more with each flight....

I have asked to move from a C seat to a D seat prior to take off and been told I cant as it would affect aircraft trim

Yep, I can see my body mass changing the way the aircraft will operate by moving 7C to 7D LOL

That wasn't nice of straitman to say that to you either John

 

[straitman]

It would have been a weight issue as you mentioned. Two of you in the one seat would probably have broken the seat :!:

I have lost a fair bit weight recently so enough of these jokes.

Congratulations on the weight loss John.

It was however a light hearted though serious comment and definitely not intended to offend.

Put any two (normal) adult males in an aircraft seat and there will be most likely be an issue with either the seat structure limitations and/or the seat belt limits being exceeded in the event of a high impact landing. I have seen this first hand when a friend (a big guy) was killed was killed when his seat and seat belt anchorages both failed during a crash landing.

 

[straitman]

I have asked to move from a C seat to a D seat prior to take off and been told I cant as it would affect aircraft trim

Yep, I can see my body mass changing the way the aircraft will operate by moving 7C to 7D LOL

How else would you apply this in a realistic practical sense :?: Would you say it is OK for the first four people to move seats but after that no one :?:

Put simply the line in the sand needs to be drawn somewhere and saying no movement prior to take off is a very practical way of applying this.

 

[Tooner]

I wouldn't say it was common, but I've seen it a lot more on DJ than on QF.

Happened to me on QF a few years ago when I OLCI'd 26K and got on board to see someone else sitting there. Approached an FA and was asked to wait outside the door.

FA returned with 6E

 

[oz_mark]

Happened to me on QF a few years ago when I OLCI'd 26K and got on board to see someone else sitting there. Approached an FA and was asked to wait outside the door.

FA returned with 6E

Watched something very similar to this a couple years back on a flight from Perth, it happened at the seat next to me. Apparently someone had been given an upgrade but not a new BP.

 

[JohnK]

Congratulations on the weight loss John.

It was however a light hearted though serious comment and definitely not intended to offend.

No offence taken as noted by the after my comment. Or should I have used a instead? :mrgreen:

 

[koonyaflyer]

Had a classic case last night on my way from MEL to HBA - I had done OLCI the previous night (Sequence 22), but arrived to find 4A occupied, by crew who we repositioning to HBA

After some time they came back, with 2C, which was already occupied. Cabin Supervisor crossed out 2c and put in 9E.

I think she was a little shocked with my response - I was not prepared to a middle seat when I was holding a BP leaving repositioning crew in my seat! Needless to say this, along with a litany of other problems with that particular flight, has generated a complaint letter.

I am not precious, but if my status is not recognised, my loyalty will be challenged!

 

[docjames]

Had a classic case last night on my way from MEL to HBA - I had done OLCI the previous night (Sequence 22), but arrived to find 4A occupied, by crew who we repositioning to HBA

After some time they came back, with 2C, which was already occupied. Cabin Supervisor crossed out 2c and put in 9E.

I think she was a little shocked with my response - I was not prepared to a middle seat when I was holding a BP leaving repositioning crew in my seat! Needless to say this, along with a litany of other problems with that particular flight, has generated a complaint letter.

I am not precious, but if my status is not recognised, my loyalty will be challenged!

Which seat did you end up traveling in?

 

[koonyaflyer]

Ended up in 4A. The Cabin Supervisor looked apologetically at the Crew member in 4A, and said "Do you mind?" - that was the ultimate insult to me, as far as I see it paying Pax, especially with Top Tier Status, should not be made to feel grateful for receiving thier original OLCI seat ahead of Crew!