Seat Allocation Etiquette

[coyote25]

I would be a very cynical. Early boarding and just so happens to "erroneously" sit in an exit row. Me thinks it's deliberate especially when she makes a big fuss over it. If it's easy for you to move to 12 so it is also easy for her to do the same.
Failing that I would inform Cabin crew who should ask erroneous passenger to move.
If the cabin crew do not help then there is nothing you can do.
Regarding her prolonged inflight complain - happy for her to. I'll just listen to my music.

I was thinking might have been an accident since the general boarding lane was moving much quicker and despite QF saying only certain rows and status pax to board we all know that doesn't always work that way, having said that last trip to Brisbane I saw a pax took to go back to seating area as there row wasn't boarding!

I have moved seats inflight to help families sit together. Once on a flight to Auckland QF was accommodating another airline that cancelled their flight. Flight Attendant asked 4 or 5 people before me if they would move to let a mum and her 7 or 8 year old sit together. I said no problems, it's only 4 hour flight (I had selected an okay seat). Then just as I was about to sit in the new seat, flight attendant stated, thanks for helping out why don't you come upstairs to business class instead (the looks on the faces of those who rejected the switch offer I'll never forget).

And yes I just played music on the 2 hour flight but occasionally heard her complaining to people around her. Also when walking off the plane I got a big stare. You'd think I'd asked her to fly on the wing of the plane.

Thanks for the comments everyone. I thought I wasn't being unreasonable. I approach the situation as if it was a mistake (in the past I've ended up in a wrong row), however exit row is a little different to make a mistake. She won't have answered the checkin questions either

 

[coyote25]

She knew exactly what she was doing. She's probably done it before which is why she thinks she can get away with it.
Many people will back down in a situation like that which only encourages further entitled, uncivil behaviour. Good on you for sending her on her way.

Thanks Lionel. It's the complaining afterwards that was a pain. If she thought it was right she could have taken it up with a flight attendant. Pax was very comfortable reading her book with legs stretched out so I suppose if you have mentally settled in for that type of seat it is annoying for the pax but hey this is one of the benefits of being a SG, you get to pick exit row seat and actually sit there!

 

[flying_double]

She had no right to whinge or complain, you did the right thing! If she knows the system well, hopefully she frequents this site occasionally too, and with her behaviour having been called out onboard as well as on here, it will reinforce to her that she was in the wrong.

FWIW if I was in that situation, I'd try to reason with the person on an adult level, then really dumb it down to pre-school level, and then revert to officialdom (ie attendant or CSM) if required. Then if they don't want to follow the instruction of a crew member they can get off.

 

[NoName]

Awaits good when the entire forum agrees on something and this no different - OP did nothing wrong. I would have done the same. The only difference is I probably would have laughed at her when she continued whinging about it and the post-flight stare would have sent me into hysterics. Perhaps not always the best way to handle things (and of course some judgement needs to be shown to avoid an inflight incident) but if someone is going to continue to act like an a-grader when they're clearly in the wrong then I'll be happy to irritate them further.

 

[coyote25]

Awaits good when the entire forum agrees on something and this no different - OP did nothing wrong. I would have done the same. The only difference is I probably would have laughed at her when she continued whinging about it and the post-flight stare would have sent me into hysterics. Perhaps not always the best way to handle things (and of course some judgement needs to be shown to avoid an inflight incident) but if someone is going to continue to act like an a-grader when they're clearly in the wrong then I'll be happy to irritate them further.

I love how you would have handled this, maybe next time if it happens (I doubt I'll ran into it again) I'll try the laughing strategy - great stuff.

 

[Mattg]

I would also ask (politely) the person in my allocated seat to move, and have done so on numerous occasions. If the passenger doesn't want to move (or as is sometimes the case, doesn't speak English) then I'll ask the crew to intervene. 9 times out of 10 I've done my research and picked my allocated seat for a reason.

At the same time, I have no problem with other people asking me to move if I've accidentally sat in their allocated seat. I certainly don't make a habit of this, but in a dreary-eyed state I did once sit in the wrong row on a CBR-SYD flight that departed before dawn. I didn't realise until we landed. It was a full flight, so at least one person (probably more) must have been sitting in the wrong seat as a result of my mistake. To be honest, I was surprised nobody had said anything.

 

[JohnK]

You did nothing wrong.

Happens quite regularly for me. If it is a like for like swap I may give in but not when it comes to preferential seats in bulkhead/exit row. They can try playing the game with someone else.

 

[Denali]

If I was to make an honest seat mistake, pretty sure my response would be "Oh, Im so sorry. Im an idiot, let me get my stuff, Im so sorry".

The fact that she argued and tried to convince you to change seats screams that she knew exactly what she was playing at.

For me. FF'er forums has prepared me to be obvious and aggressive about seats and overhead space, especially in the US. As we generally prefer domestic Row 1, Im telling hubby that we have to get on early to secure overhead and dont let anyone take your space and if anyone asks to move the answer is always, always no. Its like im in ninja airline training.

 

[andyhui01]

Nothing wrong. Its one thing to politely ask and another to just make it sound like you're in the wrong. I'm the type of person who is pretty easy going in situations like this if the other person is friendly. The harder the other person makes it, the less likely I'll give them what they want.

If it's a couple trying to sit together and there is no difference in the type of seat (ie. Aisle for Aisle... etc, I'm not fussed), but if its bulkhead for standard (happened countless times in CX), I simply suggest that the bulkhead person move to the back and swap rather than me giving up a bulkhead seat. Usually after saying that, they don't swap. So much for really needing to sit together...

 

[serfty]

Exit seat? Check!

Head Buried in Book? Check!

The book's a great way to avoid eye contact ...

Of course she was trying it on - may have done it a few times and, if so, probably pretty successfully too.

Coyote as with the others, IMHO you did nothing wrong.

 

[Stanley Lambchop]

My approach to these situations varies according to the circumstances:

I will always move to an equivalent or superior seat if asked politely

I will usually move to an inferior seat if asked politely and there is a pressing and genuine need on behalf of the other pax (eg seating children with families)

I will consider moving to an inferior seat if asked politely and there is a less pressing but still genuine need from other pax (eg seating partners together) but this depends on the flight time and the "gap" between my seat and the one I'm being asked to move to. For example, I'll happily switch from window to middle to accommodate a couple who asks nicely on a short hop from SYD-MEL. If you want me to swap my exit row to the middle of a standard row in Y between SYD and LAX, I'm afraid you're out of luck.

I will not move when other pax presume rather than ask, and/or are otherwise obnoxious or aggressive about what they want.

 

[Flying Fox]

I would also ask (politely) the person in my allocated seat to move, and have done so on numerous occasions. If the passenger doesn't want to move (or as is sometimes the case, doesn't speak English) then I'll ask the crew to intervene.

Yes, that's my approach.

If I was to make an honest seat mistake, pretty sure my response would be "Oh, Im so sorry. Im an idiot, let me get my stuff, Im so sorry".

The fact that she argued and tried to convince you to change seats screams that she knew exactly what she was playing at.

Totally agree.

I had a situation like this a few years ago flying out of Washington DC with the Mrs.

I had booked a window seat in the first row of Y as I really did want to take pics of DC as we flew out. Upon boarding a family of three were in our seats. I spoke to them and they said nothing as if they didn't speak English. Fair enough, I asked for their boarding passes and they very slowly handed them over. Their mistake. I asked them to move and they didn't. I asked again and said that I would have to get a FA to sort this out.

At this point two of the three stood up and moved to their correct seats across the isle. I asked the boy to move to his correct seat and mum said, 'no stay there.' She amazingly learnt English in 5 seconds. Anyway, I motioned for a FA and the boys complied (I can't blame him as he was only following his parent's instruction).

I was super annoyed by their actions.

To add insult to injury Mum took a phone call as we hurtled down the runway. The man next to her had to tell her to get off the phone. I didn't fear for my life by the phone call but it annoyed me further.

Can't believe how selfish and self-important some people are.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

What Serfty said.

Absolutely pre-mediated. I just want to know if the number of cats she owns exceeds the number of ex-husbands she has. Miaow.

It still amazes me hearing people in a middle seat asking staff "can't you just move someone" yet oblivious to the fact that fpr that to happen, someone already in an aisle or window seat would be displaced. So in short they expecting someone else to accept a seat that they are trying to move out of.

 

[Quickstatus]

What Serfty said.

Absolutely pre-mediated. I just want to know if the number of cats she owns exceeds the number of ex-husbands she has. Miaow.

Harsh!!:mrgreen:.

 

[yld200]

You've got every right to ask for your seat. I would have done the same in your situation.

My SO has OCD when it comes to seat selection and sitting in her allocated seat, especially if she had preselected.

 

[dandandandan]

I wouldn't have given in either. People only learn when they're called out. I have absolutely no time or patience for people faffing around on a plane.

 

[Deleted member]

Not wrong, when landing you will always hear the FA remind everyone to return to their assigned seat.... there is a reason for this

 

[JohnK]

Not wrong, when landing you will always hear the FA remind everyone to return to their assigned seat.... there is a reason for this

And who returns to their assigned seat?

 

[Guvner]

You have to meet certain criteria to occupy an exit seat. The offending pax has taken it upon herself to decide whether or not she met that criteria. To me it's not just rude, it's a safety issue.

 

[kermatu]

Let me add my agreement to every sentiment on this thread so far. OP absolutely in the right.

Two related incidents I observed in J just this past fortnight. One was a couple seated in 1D and 1A. Decided to setup in 1D and 1F. Pax in 1F gets on and CSM notes there's already someone in 1F. Very politely lady in 1D says I was hoping we could sit together. Pax in 1F says no problem when told it was basically a straight swap to 1A (in a 737). All ok except 1D and 1F had made it pretty clear they were staying by opening blankets, shoes off, feet up on bulkhead etc. I found that a bit rude. Stay standing and ask the CSM first would have been more polite.

On a more positive note in another flight a lady with small baby gets on with a seat in J with I presume her mum sitting in Y (row 4). Without any requests from the pax or the staff, the pax next to lady in J offers up his seat after take-off and swaps with the mum. There are two staff members travelling on the flight so the CSM goes back to the bloke and says please come back to J in a different seat. For whatever reason he declines. I sure hope he got some good treatment and maybe some points or wine as a thank you. Very kind act I reckon. Was a 4 hour flight from AKL to SYD from memory. FYI the mum took good advantage of the J service!