robjame

I don't usually go against my friend Anselm but one of the reasons I fly executive is to get away from these little annoyances. Luckily they try to keep the kids out of upstairs in the BA 747's.
OK. Flame away against the grinch...

standbyflyer

Hi Centerbury:

In one word--"NO". I'm a flight attendant for AA who exclusively flies Europe, and though people don't try it very often, having someone "share" your premium seat is absolutely taboo. You'll hear an announcement at the beginning of the flight by both the Purser and Captain prohibiting the crossing of cabins(this is since 9/11). Even bringing back "snacks" is frowned upon for it's not fair to the other passengers in coach. Furthermore, think of how you, as someone paying big bucks for your seat, would like it if everyone in business or first class swapped seats with their family in coach! It would be utter chaos! I just want to save you the embarrassment of even asking for this privelige, or the crew might look at you as though you have asked if you could try flying the plane! Besides, even if it were allowed, I agree with another poster that you shouldn't spoil the kids. They are lucky enough to be going to Europe for vacation! Have a great time!

LoveItaly

Interesting standbyflyer as when I did marketing for a US airline some time ago I remember that passengers in coach could not change seats with someone in BC or FC but I thought possibly the rules had changed or possibly it was just the rules for the airline I marketed for. But it sounds from various posts that some airlines do allow this.

mjs

Apparently it is against Delta policy according to a friend of mine who is one of their head pilots. Perhaps other airlines have other rules.

canterbury

Just to be clear, here. In case one hasn't read all my posts, the kids in question are 17 and 18. So, one "kid" (at 17-1/2 actually) and one adult. Experienced flyers. And we wouldn't be doing the switching back and forth throughout the flight. Just once.

maitaitom

I'm betting if you ask the FAs they wouldn't mind. But if you saw my football pool results of last week, that might not give you too much confidence. I say give it a try.

If you think of a wild story and it works, I think you should dub your trip report "The Canterbury Tale."

CarolA

"Hi Centerbury:

In one word--"NO". I'm a flight attendant for AA who exclusively flies Europe, and though people don't try it very often, having someone "share" your premium seat is absolutely taboo. You'll hear an announcement at the beginning of the flight by both the Purser and Captain prohibiting the crossing of cabins(this is since 9/11). Even bringing back "snacks" is frowned upon for it's not fair to the other passengers in coach. Furthermore, think of how you, as someone paying big bucks for your seat, would like it if everyone in business or first class swapped seats with their family in coach! It would be utter chaos! I just want to save you the embarrassment of even asking for this privelige, or the crew might look at you as though you have asked if you could try flying the plane! Besides, even if it were allowed, I agree with another poster that you shouldn't spoil the kids. They are lucky enough to be going to Europe for vacation! Have a great time"

And if you fellow crew memebers are like my last AA Business class crew.... they will never know. Sorry, but considering we saw the FAs ONLY at meal service and the rest of the time they sat in the galley area and gossiped......

Carrybean

That sure hasn't been my experience in the many, many times I've flown trans-Atlantic in AA's business class.

robjame

canterbury - flying business or first usually allows you access to the lounge prior to your flight (one of my real favorite parts of the whole experience). What will you do about that part?

maitaitom

Boy, you would think from some of these posts that the Business Section is some secret club to keep evil teenagers out. Unless someone is sneezing in my face or reclining into my knees, I don't notice anyone else on the flight, and that's in the cattle car. Heck, when I got the opportunity to fly First Class last year, I barely could see anyone else, the seats were so far apart. Of course, I also had 12 glasses of wine that might have impaired my vision.

As for ruining the big paying business travelers' trip, a lot of them are in that section with FF miles or their seat is being paid for by their company. I don't think many of these travelers will have a "Let them eat cake" attitude. And if they did, that says more about them than canterbury's kids.

Canterbury said the kids were experienced travelers. I also don't think that letting them sit here will "spoil" them either. An hour in those Business seats might give them the incentive to become corporate tycoons so they can always fly in the expensive seats and not assoociate with we poor peons who travel in coach (tongue implanted in cheek).

Finally, have you ever walked through the business section after a flight? It usually looks like 20 Pigpens from the Peanuts' cartoon have occupied the seats. Papers are strewn everywhere and cups on the floor make the Business Section look worse than my college apartment (OK, nothing was worse than that). You could bury Jimmy Hoffa in that mess. Canterbury's kids would be a step up from many Business Class passengers I have witnessed through the years.

Maybe they won't let you canterbury, but there is no harm in asking if you can give your kids the business.

maitaitom

robjame asked "canterbury - flying business or first usually allows you access to the lounge prior to your flight (one of my real favorite parts of the whole experience). What will you do about that part?"

I believe Tracy told me the other day (I should listen closer to my wife) that American offers a deal where AA Frequent Flers can pay a fee to get in the lounge. I would think that canterbury could pay extra to get his kids in there (by the way canterbury, keep them away from the Campari....that's saved for me).

robjame

I think that part of the confusion may be in the way the question is phrased.
"Can" I share... the answer is clearly "yes".
Now "May I share.." or "Should I share..." These questions beg different answers.
maitaitom - good answer - and the same solution exists for canterbury's problem - pay for an upgrade and they can share the experience
or let them sit up there for the whole trip... what will DH say about that?
BTW maitaitom - watch those cups on the floor - they're china

LoveItaly

Hi canterbury, I hope you will report back after the trip as you have my curiosity up about this situation. Best regards.

canterbury

Thank you, maitaitom, for your staunch support!

I, too, wonder why all this emotion about BC/FC and not wanting kids or making any kind of fuss in there?? I've only flown it once, but I AM pretty sure that there is nothing sacred!

I mean, criminy! Body odor and crying babies seem like a much worse prospect. And how much disruption actually occurs with two people swapping seats? Geeesh.

Maitai - I've totally enjoyed all your reports! I hope I do my Canterbury tale justice.

I bow humbly before thee,

c.

papagena

>>"Why all this emotion about BC/FC and not wanting any kids or making any kind of fuss in there?"<<

For me, being in BC (sadly never FC yet) means someone, either me or my employer, has paid a lot of money for a better flight experience - i.e. more space and less disturbance from other passengers so that you can work/sleep/relax better.

Canterbury, I'm not saying that you swapping seats would cause a disturbance; I'm sure you can do it in a civilised manner. And if I were in the next seat in BC I probably wouldn't care.

But as a general principal it's really annoying when an expensive upgrade has been paid for and you still get an awful flight because of noise or fuss from fellow passengers; it makes the upgrade a total waste of money. And I guess the consensus is that the presence of kids is more likely to make for lots of disruption* and the more complications there are (like cabin-swaps) the more likely it is that you'll be disturbed.

*Although IME, my worst flights have been due to adult passengers. Particularly the man who took his shoes and socks off as soon as we got on the plane and everyone within three rows gagged - luckily it was easyjet so we could all move seats. Ack, that was horrible.

davidcharles_69

Ah, I did this once with a swap from 1st to biz and it was with a grown adult and people around me complained to cabin crew !! Your call but you can get some snooty people up there

Leburta

Just a warning...a friend brought her son home from college for Christmas at the last minute one year. The only category she could book was first class. After that one flight, he never wanted to fly coach again! At the time, I don't think that she had every flown first class herself. Isn't funny how so many of us work like dogs (yes, even if we love our jobs!), but pinch our pennies, while we're willing to give our kids the best of everything?

canterbury

The first class lounge situation - It's not a big deal for any of us so we'll probably just sit with the kids.

I figured we would try the switch after the airplane "wakes up" - after breakfast is served. The kids can enjoy the last 60-90 minutes of the flight in style.

And, no, I am not worried about spoiling. If you knew our kids, you would see why.

dutyfree

As an international flight attendant for a major US airline, I had to chime in on this.First of all,on my airline you are not allowed to be changing people between cabins at any time.It is also considered a Homeland Security ruling that when you are returning back to the USA "you must stay within your own cabin at all times"...ie.lav usuage,visiting,etc.Trust me when I say, that if you had people going back and forth it would not only be confusing keeping track of everyone and securing the cockpit area but also hindering the business class service.Keep the kids in economy and you and the hubs have more wine up front?

robjame

<<Thank you, maitaitom, for your staunch support!>>
So you weren't really asking a question after all. You were looking for affirmation of a position you had already taken.
Canterbury you asked a question. You heard the answers from FAs and others.
It is wrong and it isn't allowed. Live with it.
(Why do I get the feeling you are going to do what you originally planned anyway?)
Good luck.