Taking ownership of the middle seat on a QF 737-800

[cambriamarsh]

If I have the opportunity I colonise the middle seat, but always share. Never had a problem. I do it as soon as I can and the other pax usually gets the idea very quickly.

I travel trans Tasman in QF a bit and have found courtesy goes a long way, in sharing the spare middle seat, passing meal trays etc. Karma does exist!

 

[medhead]

On the ADL-MEL leg, I was seated in 4A (window). 4B was vacant, and Mr 50ish Platinum FF was seated in 4C. Upon sitting, he immediately took ownership of 4B. No big deal, I thought, but a bit presumptuous. He put his paper, tablet etc. on the seat.
When the time came for the meal service, he also took ownership of the table at 4B so that he didn't have to have his food interfering with his newspaper (broadsheet by the way) reading. I gave him a bit of a glare as if to say "WTF?", but he just ignored me.

I've just re-read and realised that you've actually failed the protocol here. The Aisle seat person is responsible for deploying the middle seat tray table.

On another note with an empty middle seat when I'm in the aisle I use the middle seat headphone socket for listening to the radio. That way I don't have the plug sticking into my leg.

 

[Captain Halliday]

I agreed the generally accepted protocol is shared space. I also agree it's not a crisis. Which reminds me, I must get around to starting a thread about first world problems.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I've just re-read and realised that you've actually failed the protocol here. The Aisle seat person is responsible for deploying the middle seat tray table.

why the aisle seat person? I would have thought it was the window person. The aisle person doing it implies 'I have settled in now, you need to stay where you are, and I'm blocking your access to the aisle to use the WC' (etc).

(nevermind - I see this is first row of coach, trays in armrest!)

 

[Hvr]

Because the table is generally on the aisle side.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Because the table is generally on the aisle side.

ahhh... I see. I was thinking fold down from the seat back in front.

 

[pauly7]

Just seeking opinions from the learned community here at AFF.

As a relatively infrequent flyer, but QP member, I am usually able to get seated around row 4 or 5 on a 737-800. Having just returned from a quick trip to Melbourne, I experienced something on both legs that has me puzzled and which I haven't experienced before.

On the ADL-MEL leg, I was seated in 4A (window). 4B was vacant, and Mr 50ish Platinum FF was seated in 4C. Upon sitting, he immediately took ownership of 4B. No big deal, I thought, but a bit presumptuous. He put his paper, tablet etc. on the seat.
When the time came for the meal service, he also took ownership of the table at 4B so that he didn't have to have his food interfering with his newspaper (broadsheet by the way) reading. I gave him a bit of a glare as if to say "WTF?", but he just ignored me.

Similarly, on the return MEL-ADL flight, I was seated in 4F. 4E was free and Ms 50ish Platinum FF was in 4D. Exactly the same thing happened! She immediately claimed E for her cough, and used the spare table during the meal so that she could keep reading the paper!

Is there a protocol here, or did I just share the row with a couple of alpha male/female a-holes? Is there something that I could have done? At this stage, I think I'll probably sit further back in the plane to avoid the high status FFs. As an aside, the artificial gushing over these FFs by cabin crew was cringe worthy, but they seemed to lap it up.

To me, this seems rude and arrogant, but maybe I'm being a bit sensitive. Would appreciate your thoughts.

I would have put my stuff on the spare seat too. Whenever I have a shadow I happily share it

 

[medhead]

why the aisle seat person? I would have thought it was the window person. The aisle person doing it implies 'I have settled in now, you need to stay where you are, and I'm blocking your access to the aisle to use the WC' (etc).

(nevermind - I see this is first row of coach, trays in armrest!)

Yep in armrest and in the armrest next to the aisle seat. So I can see that the window seat person reaching over, possible brushing aside the OPs arm to get the table out would be somewhat confronting.

Because the table is generally on the aisle side.

On a QF 737-800 it is always on that side.

 

[boomy]

On another note with an empty middle seat when I'm in the aisle I use the middle seat headphone socket for listening to the radio. That way I don't have the plug sticking into my leg.

Never saw anyone else doing that, good to know I'm not the only one

 

[boomy]

Interesting subject the tray table, as someone who regularly occupies the aisle seat on row 4 I can say I always open the middle tray if the middle seat is empty, expecting to share it with the person seating next to the window but often I get "the look" from that person who doesn't get why I'm doing that. I used to ask before but I admit that I don't do it anymore, instead I just open the tray every time and use half of the space.
Same goes for the empty middle seat, the protocol says it should be equally shared and if someone claims full ownership I politely ask if I can put some of my stuff as well and they always clear some space, after all no one is going to start a fight over this.

 

[tuapekastar]

Late to the thread, but definitely agree unoccupied middle seat is shared space. And no issue as an aisle person with deploying middle table, also as a shared space, and 'undeploying' rapidly if window person wishes to get out.

 

[JohnK]

Was it me? :mrgreen:

I am usually in 4D, 50ish and take ownership of middle seat if vacant. I am not selfish and willing to share. I only need to use half the tray table as it is more comfortable not having to use my own tray table.

 

[jastel]

I always ask the other person about the table, put the middle table down at food time for more space, then leave rubbish neatly on it until it gets cleaned up...which sometimes takes the whole flight.
Fold my table away ASAP and go to sleep.

 

[Jo145]

Recently had this on a flight to Tokyo Bus Class - without realising it during the night, I took the blanket from the middle seat thinking it was mine ... didn't realise until another blanket was called for by fellow "middle seat space sharer". Oops.

 

[QF WP]

"Do unto others as you would done unto you". A little bit of commonsense and tact should be utilised - introduce yourself to your seatmate (that can be just a "hi") and be upfront and honest with your desire (hopefully shared) that the "Platinum" shadow (or mere good luck) has meant an empty seat to share. Of course, there is always the underseat space to be shared as well.

 

[ctrunfree]

If its long haul economy, I like to curl up taking both seats as soon as the seatbelt light goes off…!!!!

 

[coco50]

If you are in a window seat and the pax in the aisle seat claims the vacant middle seat you need to go to the head very often, claiming that flying at altitude affects your bladder. That will certainly p*ss them off.

 

[sjd]

If they dump there stuff all over the middle seat, you could just lean over and say, "so you know, I was sitting there but I moved after my little accident."

 

[get me outta here]

I usually put a book or newspaper on 'my' half of the middle seat, if the other person has already taken all of the seat with their stuff, I use my stuff to nudge theirs over to their side. They get it usually, as it's only fair. It's usually the same sort of person who sits with their knees way out sideways who think the extra seat space must also be theirs.

 

[PineappleSkip]

introduce yourself to your seatmate (that can be just a "hi")

Yes, marvellous what a little dialogue can do. IIRC talking to the person next to you hasn't yet been removed from the protocol and often more effective than silent negotiations with objects. Also much less stressful than silently fuming.

Cheers skip