When confirmed seat allocations go wrong

[tscharke]

I’m saddened by the almost personal attack that is occurring here because someone (JohnK on this occasion) has expressed a strong opinion about something that has happened to him. These personal attacks are starting to become moderately common here and are way overboard. I’ve been down this road once or twice (on both sides) and have been whipped in tar several times by one or more moderators for doing so. … they were probably right.

The same message can be delivered with a sled hammer, a feather or some where in between. Neither of the first two is appropriate which then leaves the middle ground. Unfortunately the first seems to be becoming the norm around here. It is not appropriate that a moderator leads the tar brush charge in open forum.



Here endith the rant :!:

Wholly agree!

JohnK is merely expressing his passion for what he believes in – his belief that hard earned status deserves the appropriate attention and consideration!

Online forums are a place for ones opinions – if you disagree then focus on rebutting the opinion they have expressed and not the person who expressed that opinion!

Personal attacks do nothing for forums but deter lurkers from becoming active participants!

Quoting a section from another online forum…

“Attack the message, not the messenger”

In a similar situation not that long ago, I think that if I did not show comparable passion and ride on the back of my OWE status, I would have never won back that bassinet seat row for the family!

 

[thadocta]

Wholly agree!

JohnK is merely expressing his passion for what he believes in – his belief that hard earned status deserves the appropriate attention and consideration!

Online forums are a place for ones opinions – if you disagree then focus on rebutting the opinion they have expressed and not the person who expressed that opinion!

Personal attacks do nothing for forums but deter lurkers from becoming active participants!

Quoting a section from another online forum…

“Attack the message, not the messenger”

In a similar situation not that long ago, I think that if I did not show comparable passion and ride on the back of my OWE status, I would have never won back that bassinet seat row for the family!

His post was pure DYKWIA, nothing more.

Dave

 

[drron]

His post was pure DYKWIA, nothing more.

Dave

Now I have never met JohnK but from his posts he doesnt impress me as A DYKWIA sort of person.So he gets upset-a very human trait.He feels that status on an airline should have some perks-so what.If that was not the case AFF probably wouldnt exist.
I agree with you john,CX certainly do their bit in appreciating OWE status.Mrsdrron and myself have been upgraded twice on that BKK-SIN segment,pity it wasnt a longer flight.Gee just realised-this paragraph shows me in my real colours-a true DYKWIA fellow.So why hasnt someone mentioned me in that thread-famous people seen whilst flying?
Now everyone needs a good sleep.A rutherglen Tokay is my potion for tonight.

 

[thadocta]

Now I have never met JohnK but from his posts he doesnt impress me as A DYKWIA sort of person.So he gets upset-a very human trait.He feels that status on an airline should have some perks-so what.If that was not the case AFF probably wouldnt exist.
I agree with you john,CX certainly do their bit in appreciating OWE status.Mrsdrron and myself have been upgraded twice on that BKK-SIN segment,pity it wasnt a longer flight.Gee just realised-this paragraph shows me in my real colours-a true DYKWIA fellow.So why hasnt someone mentioned me in that thread-famous people seen whilst flying?
Now everyone needs a good sleep.A rutherglen Tokay is my potion for tonight.

Having re-read this thread, I re-iterate it was a DYKWIA post.

He had an exit row seat (which is ALWAYS not guaranteed), hiss seat was re-allocated, he was re-allocated another seat (given he had a forward seat, it is reasonable to presume that he preferred forward seats, so he was given another forward seat), and eventually he was given another exit row seat, firther down the back.

He is claiming that as a Platinum ( Don't You Know Who I Am? I am a platinum, after all, you can't do this to me!!!!!!!) this never should have happened in the first place. I am sorry, but there are times when Platinums have to be reseated from their pre-allocated seats. The ground staff do not necessarily know why, but it has always been done for a good reason.

JohnK is claiming that as a Platinum this should NOT happen to him. THis is a typical DYKWIA attitude.

Sometimes, someone else's needs are greater than those of a DYKWIA.

Dave

 

[Will]

His post was pure DYKWIA, nothing more.

Dave

Don't think I can agree with that. DYKWIA is the use of irrelevant notoriety or celebrity or self-importance to claim undeserved benefits and generally act like a tool. Airline status, by contrast, is very relevant to the way you get treated by the airline. QF obviously agree insofar as they quickly reinstated JohnK's seat.
Priority seat allocation is marketed as a benefit of status: it is appropriate it is given, and it is entirely reasonable of JohnK to comment on it and share his experience.
I didn't read the offending post before it was deleted, but hope that personal attacks are kept out of the community. Saying you disagree with someone or the way they do things is fine, but should be done respectfully and politely.

 

[Evan]

I would be very annoyed if i had been bumped from an exit row isle or window to a midle seat on a non exit row ! really they could have done better.
Everybody is able to express an opinion.

E

 

[thadocta]

I would be very annoyed if i had been bumped from an exit row isle or window to a midle seat on a non exit row ! really they could have done better.
Everybody is able to express an opinion.

Agreed - and once his opinion was made known to QF, he was changed to another exit row seat. They did not know whether his preference was for an aisle or a forward seat. MY preference is for a forward, I personally prefer a forward, and can cope if it is otherwise than an aisle (as long as it is not a window on a 747, I can climb over one person, but two is a joke!)

So everyone is different, everyone has different preferences. I would prefer to be at the very front of the cabin, and if it means climbing over one person to get to the aisle, then that is better than being at the back of the bus with an aisle seat.

So what is the problem here?

The problem was that JohnK (oops, I am not allowed to say that here, had better revert to his username) chose to adopt a DYKWIA attitude, saying "They can't move me, I am a platinum, after all, I had my seat allocation, I am entitled to it, I want to see the captain and get the plane grounded until I get a boarding pass with MY seat number on it" approach (well, almost, but not quite, but you get my drift) and that just is not the case.

We do not KNOW the reason why he lost his pre-allocated seat, there MAY have been very good reasons for it. He does not know this either.

NOT knowing his seating preferences, faced with the choice of a REAR exit row or a FORWARD seat, I will always take the forward seat. Others may differ.

QF staff, having to reseat passengers after a seating change, can only look at a profile. The last time I looked, there was NOTHING there to indicate a preference for an exit row, so maybe the *forward* seating part clicked in, and that is why this happened.

Dave

 

[Evan]

Corrrect, there is no exit row pre-slection
But you do have a choice of for example "forward aisle" not just "forward"
So they should have been aware or his preference.
As i would assume JohnK would have his preference set.

DYKWIA may get what you want, us poor people that say thats just life will never get it.... but is it worth it.. to some people yes, others no.

E

 

[thadocta]

Corrrect, there is no exit row pre-slection
But you do have a choice of for example "forward aisle" not just "forward"

And if ALL of the forward aisle seats had already been allocated, then they would have been looking at either "forward" or "aisle", and if it was me, I would prefer they went the "forward" rather than the "aisle" (as long as it did not involve the "window seat" on a 747.

So they should have been aware or his preference.
As i would assume JohnK would have his preference set.

But a "forward aisle" preference is hard to meet, particularly when you can provide one OR the other. IF this was his preference, they provided one.

DYKWIA may get what you want, us poor people that say thats just life will never get it.... but is it worth it.. to some people yes, others no.

And in this situation, DYKWIA is exactly what it is. He has stated that as a platinum, he should get that seat. That is a DYKWIA situation.

Dave

 

[simongr]

I just find it strange that check in staff would allocate a WP to a middle seat - that is truly on of the worst options for seating.

You do wonder if they moved 29C to J - I can't think of another option for a through travelling passenger.

 

[markis10]

Maybe 29c was a late booking CL member travelling the full trip?

 

[NM]

I am going to close this thread for now as it seems the arguments have been exhausted and its going in circles and in danger of getting out of hand.

If JohnK, as the original poster, has further information to add to the discussion, then we will re-open the thread for posting.

 

[JohnK]

I was the last to board QF6 last night. I sat in 29C and while waiting for the doors to close the Customer service supervisor Nicole approached me and she welcomed me aboard and shook my hand. She also mentioned that there may be problems with the IFE in 29C and if this continues then they will need to find alternate arrangements.

I started to explain the seating allocation issues earlier and we did not have the time to continue the conversation as we were about to take off. Straight after take-off she was back for a lengthy chat. It was mentioned that it was clearly not senior management policy to treat Platinums in this way. She offered me a glass of champagne and asked the FA, who was handing out headsets, to get me a noise cancelling headset from business class. A few minutes later Nicole returned with a glass of champagne, a pair of pyjamas and an amenity kit and I also received the noise cancelling headsets. She said if I need anything else not to hesitate to contact her.

I tried watching a few movies but the picture and sound kept cutting out. I asked one of the FAs to reset the unit and the other FA mentioned that she had already reset it. Still having issues after the reset and I was resigned to the fact that after only 1.5 hours through the flight I will have to suffer without proper IFE. Mentioned to FA again that I am still having problems and he got on the phone, in front me, to supervisor. Not more than a few seconds later he asked me to follow him to the business class cabin. I was given 24B. There was still 4.5 hours to go till the end of the flight and even though the IFE had some small issues it was a much more confortable flight.

Personally I think the upgrade to business class was fair compensation for what I had to endure throughout a very long stressful day. Some people may not agree but so be it. You win some and you lose some. As a Platinum I would certainly hope that I will win more than I lose….

 

[simongr]

So now we "know" what happened. CL bumped you out of 29C, got on board, found IFE was broken, was upgraded to J all the way to SYD thus giving you now vacant 29C.

You seem to have stumbled on a very generous CSM - well done.

A few more upgrades like this and you will be tempted for more paid J

 

[serfty]

Well done John.

... You seem to have stumbled on a very generous CSM - well done.

A few more upgrades like this and you will be tempted for more paid J

Depends how John went with the proffered breakfast - he would have missed the evening supper service. At least they might not have woken him for breakfast 150 mins before arrival like they do down the back ...

 

[hardya]

Lets not start the same old debate but I am not sitting behind any recliner for an 8+ hour flight.

You're right. Buy a Business Class ticket and you won't need to.

I don't want to sound like I am big noting myself but....

but you are...

 

[Ric]

I thought that this thread is closed?

 

[Dave Noble]

It was and was then temporarily reopened

Dave