Seat blocking or similar status benefit

[medhead]

Of course, middle seats anywhere else other than row 3 are rubbish! I'm not sure I agree with your quote I bolded (sorry, on iPhone) to me Row 3 is superior to all behind, putting shadows in that row reduces the good seats by a third. Sorry guys, if faced with the option (& it's rare,-as I said earlier, I usually score the asile) I will choose the middle seat in row 3 if that's all that's available, to me row 3 is *that* much better! (Please don't tell me to fly J or exit row.... Company policy says no!)

You seem to have missed the following bit of my post. As in this example, both people in those row 3 middle seats could have had an aisle seat with an empty middle seat within a few rows. There is absolutely no reason for them to pick the middle seat in row 3. Neither of them were tall. I have said nothing about any other middle seat.

Row 3 middle seats are definitely not the 5th and 6th best seats on the aircraft, imo. If we only talk about aisle seats, there are probably 20 better seats, especially on lightly loaded flights. In fact this would be my order 3C/D, 4C/D, 5C/D, 6C/D, 4A/F, EXIT C/D, 7C/D, 8C/D then maybe 3B/E = 9C/D. Add in that lots of other people like the window seats as well, IMO there are 32 seats that should be taken before people even start to think about looking at 3B/E. Then with VA loading from 2 doors the rear 7 or 8 rows are also attractive to people who can use stairs (I can't BTW). There are another 32 seats that I'd consider over 3B/E, in theory (if I could use stairs efficiently).

I also prefer an aisle and any aisle seat in rows 4 to 7 with an empty middle seat is better than 3B/E.

Yes, and until now I didn't realize how weird that was!!!

I don't know about weird. I have encountered a regular on my flights who does the same on lightly loaded flights. But based on a conversation with that person, I think they felt the front row was some sort of indicator of specialness. It doesn't sound like you have the same view.

 

[day-heg]

Of all the dozens (hundreds?) of issues with Sabre, given the choice this is the first I'd fix!! (But I understand it'd be we'll down on the priority list)

I completely agree with the OP... I'm glad he's come to the party on this one!!
I started a thread on the topic last year...
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....a-velocity/picking-3b-3e-when-solo-43526.html

 

[PDog]

Of all the dozens (hundreds?) of issues with Sabre, given the choice this is the first I'd fix!! (But I understand it'd be we'll down on the priority list)

I completely agree with the OP... I'm glad he's come to the party on this one!! 
I started a thread on the topic last year...
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....a-velocity/picking-3b-3e-when-solo-43526.html

lol, I missed that thread! I am also a BIS plat on saver fares on the east coast, wonder how many times you've cursed me in 3 B/E? (Think I've only sat there a handful of times).

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Hmmmm. I like the idea of row 3 middle shadows but others don't (I've read previously people with laptops saying they'd choose row 3 middle just so they didn't get a recline into their work space....sort of like the OP stated did happen after he vacated). So who is right? If the shadows were there, you may get the self-appointed op-ups. So I guess in the interim, doing exactly like the OP did seems wise, but if it comes to a poll.......I'd vote shadow!

 

[MarkD]

Just booked a trip for next tuesday, bne-syd rtn for two
Some donkey has selected 3b.
Whoever picked it will be annoyed as myself and my colleague are in 3a and 3c
Hows the serenity lol

 

[PDog]

Just booked a trip for next tuesday, bne-syd rtn for two
Some donkey has selected 3b.
Whoever picked it will be annoyed as myself and my colleague are in 3a and 3c
Hows the serenity lol

Not me, I promise!!

 

[day-heg]

... wonder how many times you've cursed me in 3 B/E? (Think I've only sat there a handful of times).

I always curse! Politely...
And look, if a Plat chooses to sit there, then that's their prerogative, dislike it as I do. (For the record, if I'm 'flying ahead' and am offered a seat choice I will NEVER choose 3B/E, I'd take row 28 first)

But when there's Billy-no-status (as per yesterday morning MEL-CBR; I saw his BP) then it really sh!ts me. Plane would have been circa 60% load...

I can't think of a valid reason that ground staff would have allocated that seat to him. Chap in 3F was Plat too, according to his bag-tag...

 

[MandM]

My vote would be row 3 no shadow, anywhere else on the plane shadow (for plats). Row 3 is the perk, I don't think the extra perk is warranted as row 3 has sooo much space compared to the other rows. However I do think that allocation of row 3 should be tightened (plat with priority, then gold at T-24 and silver at T-12 with no one else to fill the seats unless it is a full load).

 

[JohnK]

To me, 3 B/E are the 5th & 6th best seats on the plane.

Really? I would rather have row 29 aisle then a middle seat.

In fact I have refused the offer of an earlier flight as middle seats were all that were available.

 

[medhead]

Well this was supposed to be a question about VA policy on this sort of situation. Looks like its turning into a discussion. I'm going to bow out until/if an answer is given.

 

[Aus ATC]

I think the bottom line is that VA should improve it's seat blocking methodology - or maybe introduce one - (yes I am biased as a VA Plat!) - QF seems consistently superior in this regard. If 4 x VA Plats are pre-selected in 3A/C/D/F, and indeed in the rows behind, the B/E seats should be the last to be filled - same goes for 8A/C/D/F for my golden friends (or further forward after T-48 - but keep the B/E seats blocked). Obviously people travelling as a couple will select an A/B, or B/C combination, in which case I will avoid the spare window/aisle and take my chance on the "shadow" further back. On balance, I get more free seats next to me on QF than VA - especially in the front row. Like medhead, I have moved (once on board) from 3C to 4D on a lightly loaded flight, thus allowing the @@@@ who selected 3B to spread out (no suggestion he was going to move!!). And as with JohnK, I have chosen not to fly forward when the only option was a middle seat.

 

[drewbles]

My vote would be row 3 no shadow, anywhere else on the plane shadow (for plats). Row 3 is the perk, I don't think the extra perk is warranted as row 3 has sooo much space compared to the other rows. However I do think that allocation of row 3 should be tightened (plat with priority, then gold at T-24 and silver at T-12 with no one else to fill the seats unless it is a full load).

Only leg room, and not that much more than an exit row. The seat width is considerably less, owing to the tray tables in the arm rests. I'll take an exit row over row 3 any day myself (although i'm a bigger lad so prefer some extra seat width for the B in BIS ).

 

[MarkD]

Think the real benefit of row 3 is the ability to get out asap. Seriously over aeroplanes these days. The legroom is nice, But nothing over 2.5 hrs for me on a 737 thanks

 

[Flywithd]

I asked for a shadow between my other half and partner on a MEL SYD flight, wasn't a full one as well, originally asked for row 3b to be blocked and guy at Mel said he couldn't do row 3 but could do it in row 4, which we accepted. Got onto the plane expecting 4b to be blocked until a very large guy said he was in 4b. We moved to row 3 which was unoccupied in the first place. Was a little ticked off as to why someone would choose to sit between us when 4def was empty.

 

[bullerdude]

Did fly ahead a few weeks back and received Row 4 on the new boarding pass... asked if there was any availability in Row 3 - there was so i got 3F.

The system should be capable of auto-allocating me to 3F as Plat... surely??

 

[JohnK]

Well this was supposed to be a question about VA policy on this sort of situation. Looks like its turning into a discussion. I'm going to bow out until/if an answer is given.

Does not look like you are going to get an answer on this one.

I hope you are not holding your breath.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

There are always people who select a middle as they assume by doing so it will prevent any couples trying to sit there & they'll get 3 seats to themselves.

It doesn't occur to them that two single pax may select the window & aisle seats leaving them stuck between 2 people.

Try asking a pax why they moved themselves out of an aisle or window seat a few rows back into a middle seat in the first row of whY & you get response similar to that of someone who had won first division lotto.

 

[day-heg]

Try asking a pax why they moved themselves out of an aisle or window seat a few rows back into a middle seat in the first row of whY & you get response similar to that of someone who had won first division lotto.

I guess the wish that I and many of the posters on this thread have is that Billy-no-status should not be able to select 3B/E. and ground staff shouldn't be able to either for them.

Unless they are Platinum. There are people on this thread that have said they would choose these seats as a preference for legroom/laptop safety etc. Fine, but I really think it should be a right for those who have earned it, and not given away.

Had my first flight in months with no row 3middle seat mate this morning, and it was great!!

 

[EvanC]

I guess the wish that I and many of the posters on this thread have is that Billy-no-status should not be able to select 3B/E. and ground staff shouldn't be able to either for them.

Unless they are Platinum. There are people on this thread that have said they would choose these seats as a preference for legroom/laptop safety etc. Fine, but I really think it should be a right for those who have earned it, and not given away.

Staff might be able to do it, but as a no status, I'm pretty sure that I've not been offered (online or kiosk) anything forward of about row 8 for at least a couple of years.

Of what I am offered, if the weather's not bad (ie, rear stairs are in use), I usually grab the second row from the back.

 

[Velocity Frequent Flyer]

Hi

My question is to ask about VA policy position in seat blocking for the higher status members. I'll ask the question by way of an example, VA401 ADL-SYD this morning 13 May 2013.

The flight was pretty lightly loaded. Fortunately, I checked the seat map and found the following situation.

View attachment 15627

I didn't screen grab the back of the aircraft but there would have been 8 or more empty rows. I moved to 6D much to the surprise of the Lounge staff. And the following is pretty much how we departed.

View attachment 15628

At least 4 people were moved to the back of the aircraft for weight and balance reasons. All explained to them at the gate service desk within range of my hearing. There were still a number of empty row behind the exit rows.

I would really like to know exactly how it is possible for people to be able to allocate 3B/E in such a situation. I just don't understand why the platinum members who can select seats in row 3 should have the most uncomfortable flight experience due to people grabbing those middle seats when there are plenty of empty seats within a couple of rows.

Hi Medhead,

Where possible we try (and tend), not to move people who have already pre-allocated their seats.
We certainly try to ensure that tiered frequent flyers are seated in preferred seating zones (which are obviously dependent on aircraft type and loads).

In saying that, seat changes are made due to operational reasons such as equipment changes and weight and balance requirements.

It should also be noted, that seating will be optimised closer to departure when our team on the ground have a clearer idea on loads, so if there are spare seats there is no reason why a platinum/Gold member would not be able to move to the seat they want.

As for why someone would choose to sit in a middle seat, I'm sorry but I can't answer that.