Giving Up Your Seat-What Would You Do?
Nov 30th, 2007, 04:19 PM
#81
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If a Soldier of the Reich pulled that crap on me, I would make it worth his while to change seats.
I think I'd start with a non-stop 85 decibel harangue about how stupid the Hitler Youth must have been, move on to the 12-year record of the thousand-year Reich, and get in a few "Master Race" digs on the way to how the subhuman Slavs cleaned their clocks. A few gratuitous snipes at the fact that he couldn't stay out of the way of Allied ordnance would fit in there somewhere, <i>ad lib</i>. As I was escorted off the train, my parting shot might be something about Losing The War But Winning The Seat, and what a famous victory that was. <i>Remember Stalingrad - Sieg heil!</i>
"You began it" was appropriate, but only about a 2 on the Insult-O-Meter. We're going for 11.
I think I'd start with a non-stop 85 decibel harangue about how stupid the Hitler Youth must have been, move on to the 12-year record of the thousand-year Reich, and get in a few "Master Race" digs on the way to how the subhuman Slavs cleaned their clocks. A few gratuitous snipes at the fact that he couldn't stay out of the way of Allied ordnance would fit in there somewhere, <i>ad lib</i>. As I was escorted off the train, my parting shot might be something about Losing The War But Winning The Seat, and what a famous victory that was. <i>Remember Stalingrad - Sieg heil!</i>
"You began it" was appropriate, but only about a 2 on the Insult-O-Meter. We're going for 11.
Nov 30th, 2007, 04:24 PM
#82
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I was involved in an unwanted seat switching a few years ago. My seat was near the back of the plane but at least I had an isle. As I was arrived at my seat I found a mom sitting there beside a 7 to 8 year old child in the middle seat. She kindly asked me if she could switch this aisle seat for her aisle seat a few rows back so she could sit by her son. This was only a flight from Atlanta to Orlando and she was nice about it so I said sure. I then go a few rows back to her seat and saw that the guy in the middle seat was HUGE. I don't know if he was 300 or 500 pounds but it seemed he was taking up HALF of my new seat. But as the situation dawned on me I noticed that the guy was anxiously watching me. He was sitting there just waiting to be embarrassed once again by his weight. It seemed from the look on his face that he was just waiting for me to say "no way in hell...I can't even fit in that seat". Just then I saw that the FA in the back was watching the scene unfold and she had this pleading look in her eye...hoping I wouldn't make a scene. I just sighed and squeezed in beside him. That guy tried SO hard to not intrude on my space but it was impossible. I was literally leaning out in the aisle. The guy probably should have been forced to buy another seat but I sure wasn't going to push that issue. Now if this had been an international flight I probably wouldn't have been so understanding.
Nov 30th, 2007, 04:54 PM
#85
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I would change only if an aisle seat was available, otherwise no Way..
I was asked few times very politely by a flight attendant to change my seat so that a family with a small toddler could have more room, and my answer was always Yes of course, but only if an aisle seat was available.
I was asked few times very politely by a flight attendant to change my seat so that a family with a small toddler could have more room, and my answer was always Yes of course, but only if an aisle seat was available.
Nov 30th, 2007, 04:55 PM
#86
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EEEEEKKKK! Reading this thread has convinced me that we need "family flights" and "over 18 flights". I'll be booking the child-free ones, and will at least escape the whiners, screamers, and annoying parents. Yes, there will still be plenty of jerks on the adult only flights, but at least I'll be able to curse them out without worrying about offending virgin ears. Ughhh!
Nov 30th, 2007, 04:55 PM
#87
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travelgirl2
No need to feel sorry for me. I would feel emotionally manipulated only if I fell for the absurd argument that for me not to change my seat automatically on demand whilst on a commercial airliner is tantamount to ripping off the seat belt of a child in a private automobile. (I had a grandma too, and she warned me about straw man arguments.)
Basically what you're saying is that you would feel better if you were seated next to your family on the plane. Your feelings are perfectly understandable - who doesn't want to be seated with their travelling companions, as a rule?
Unfortunately what yours truly and others are saying is that we do not wish to automatically change seats to accomodate such arrangements, simply on the pretext that your feelings as the party demanding such change trumps our own. Instead, all we want respected is that while we are generally open to persuasion on realistic practical grounds, we will resist being emotionally coerced into making such change.
No need to feel sorry for me. I would feel emotionally manipulated only if I fell for the absurd argument that for me not to change my seat automatically on demand whilst on a commercial airliner is tantamount to ripping off the seat belt of a child in a private automobile. (I had a grandma too, and she warned me about straw man arguments.)
Basically what you're saying is that you would feel better if you were seated next to your family on the plane. Your feelings are perfectly understandable - who doesn't want to be seated with their travelling companions, as a rule?
Unfortunately what yours truly and others are saying is that we do not wish to automatically change seats to accomodate such arrangements, simply on the pretext that your feelings as the party demanding such change trumps our own. Instead, all we want respected is that while we are generally open to persuasion on realistic practical grounds, we will resist being emotionally coerced into making such change.
Nov 30th, 2007, 05:20 PM
#88
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I didn't suggest that anyone change their seat automatically on demand. I said that I would probably switch and I am sympathetic to families with kids sitting together. I also said, " I wish the airlines would be able to accommodate this 100% of the time. There should be way to do this without last-minute changing of someone else's seat assignment to a less desirable seat."
Nov 30th, 2007, 05:23 PM
#89
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I would not give up my seat just so others could sit closer together unless the seats were just as good and I wasn't moving further back.
A couple months ago I felt bad for a mom who asked us to switch seats. I was irritated the whole time as I had to wait until almost everyone was off the plane to get my luggage from the back overhead compartment (all of the nearby overhead compartments are full).
If a family wants to sit together, they should book seats together. It's one thing if the airline changes adjoining seats, but if someone just gets bad seats because they booked late, that's not my problem.
And I don't think there is any analysis involved in seat-switching on an international flight.
A couple months ago I felt bad for a mom who asked us to switch seats. I was irritated the whole time as I had to wait until almost everyone was off the plane to get my luggage from the back overhead compartment (all of the nearby overhead compartments are full).
If a family wants to sit together, they should book seats together. It's one thing if the airline changes adjoining seats, but if someone just gets bad seats because they booked late, that's not my problem.
And I don't think there is any analysis involved in seat-switching on an international flight.
Nov 30th, 2007, 06:10 PM
#90
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irishface
I agree that there are times when discretion is the better part of, if not valour, than at least the better part of having German rail honour its seat reservations. But that said, I don't think this was a case of misunderstanding, international or otherwise. Most veterans of any nationality would not and do not use their status to bully others. This guy (and the conductor) had private problems - nothing to do with you, notwithstanding their attempt to evade taking responsibility for their behaviour by trying to blame it on something or someone else (in this case, Roosevelt/Truman's America)- which the more I think about it, was pretty absurd.
Regarding your second story, you seem to be suggesting that to accomodate is to take the higher road, i.e. to do a good deed. You furthermore seem to take the hopeful view that no good deed goes unrewarded in the end.
I have two problems with this. The first is that what is a good deed and what isn't is partly what the thread is about in the first place. When we accomodate those who ask for assistance, maybe they are genuinely in need or maybe not, but in any case they aren't necessarily the ones MOST in need. The neediest person or persons might not be bold enough to ask others to accommodate them - in which case, what we have really ended up doing is accomodating, not the most needy, but the most bold. This is all very well, but while you can make the argument that it is virtuous to serve the needy, it isn't necessarily virtuous to serve the most bold.
I know it ought to work that if we sacrifice our own interests for the sake of our relationship with others, this means that our interests will be looked out for the next time around. Unfortunately in the real world this isn't how it works. Most times those who gain concessions return to the table to ask for yet more concessions. I'm not advocating warfare, I'm just pointing out that concessions aren't necessarily a wiser strategy than warfare.
I agree that there are times when discretion is the better part of, if not valour, than at least the better part of having German rail honour its seat reservations. But that said, I don't think this was a case of misunderstanding, international or otherwise. Most veterans of any nationality would not and do not use their status to bully others. This guy (and the conductor) had private problems - nothing to do with you, notwithstanding their attempt to evade taking responsibility for their behaviour by trying to blame it on something or someone else (in this case, Roosevelt/Truman's America)- which the more I think about it, was pretty absurd.
Regarding your second story, you seem to be suggesting that to accomodate is to take the higher road, i.e. to do a good deed. You furthermore seem to take the hopeful view that no good deed goes unrewarded in the end.
I have two problems with this. The first is that what is a good deed and what isn't is partly what the thread is about in the first place. When we accomodate those who ask for assistance, maybe they are genuinely in need or maybe not, but in any case they aren't necessarily the ones MOST in need. The neediest person or persons might not be bold enough to ask others to accommodate them - in which case, what we have really ended up doing is accomodating, not the most needy, but the most bold. This is all very well, but while you can make the argument that it is virtuous to serve the needy, it isn't necessarily virtuous to serve the most bold.
I know it ought to work that if we sacrifice our own interests for the sake of our relationship with others, this means that our interests will be looked out for the next time around. Unfortunately in the real world this isn't how it works. Most times those who gain concessions return to the table to ask for yet more concessions. I'm not advocating warfare, I'm just pointing out that concessions aren't necessarily a wiser strategy than warfare.
Nov 30th, 2007, 06:18 PM
#91
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Wekiva,
Your story resonates with me. On a flight a number of years ago from Cairo to Naples, I was in the window seat of a 2x row. A HUGE man, must have been 400 pounds, clumped down the isle and started to take the isle seat. I tried to get up, but he was already squeezing into the seat, blocking my attempt to change seats.
When he sat down, his bulk literally jammed me against the curved cabin wall. I waved for the FA, when the chap could not fasten his seat belt. She tried to click it for him, actually putting her knee into his belly. When that didn't work, she ran off to get an extension belt (who knew suck things existed?).
My protests were ignored. Perhaps the FA simply could not hear my faint cries from behind all that flab. I spent a very uncomfortable flight squidged against the window, breathing the strong garlic odor of my seat mate. I ended up with a crick in my neck, but no permanent damage.
Your story resonates with me. On a flight a number of years ago from Cairo to Naples, I was in the window seat of a 2x row. A HUGE man, must have been 400 pounds, clumped down the isle and started to take the isle seat. I tried to get up, but he was already squeezing into the seat, blocking my attempt to change seats.
When he sat down, his bulk literally jammed me against the curved cabin wall. I waved for the FA, when the chap could not fasten his seat belt. She tried to click it for him, actually putting her knee into his belly. When that didn't work, she ran off to get an extension belt (who knew suck things existed?).
My protests were ignored. Perhaps the FA simply could not hear my faint cries from behind all that flab. I spent a very uncomfortable flight squidged against the window, breathing the strong garlic odor of my seat mate. I ended up with a crick in my neck, but no permanent damage.
Nov 30th, 2007, 06:35 PM
#93
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My answer to changing seats is no, if it is a long flight. I qualify that "no," I might be convinced to relinquish my seat under special circumstances, where someone has a real problem, that is, medical need. (But I want to see a note from their doctor! If they have their attorney there, it would help convince me.)I could more easily be convinced if the flight is under an hour. My husband tells me on our last international flight to Argentina from LAX that I was approached by a father and small son asking if I would give him my seat. I don't remember this very well. Flying is very stressful for me, but I am told I said, "absolutely not," that we had booked 9 months earlier so we could sit in this two seat configuration. Since I was so out of it, I suffered no guilt, but refusing people's requests is not easy for me and many responders above and I can understand people trying to decide between the guilt of not relinquishing seats or discomfort. Both choices are unpleasant, but the latter is obviously a worse choice!
Dec 1st, 2007, 10:20 AM
#94
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Robespierre, I am still laughing about your reply that I should have given the wounded war hero. I never think of really good stuff until the opportunity is long past.
However, I also admit that after the conductor's comments, I was a bit intimidated into thinking that I might end up in an unknown jail somewhere.
By the way, I have been back to Germany many times since then and hae had nothing but courtesy, kindness, and help from those in authority and people on the street.
However, I also admit that after the conductor's comments, I was a bit intimidated into thinking that I might end up in an unknown jail somewhere.
By the way, I have been back to Germany many times since then and hae had nothing but courtesy, kindness, and help from those in authority and people on the street.
Dec 1st, 2007, 10:44 AM
#95
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this happened to me just this past september coming back from London. I got to my aisle seat and a young woman was sitting there...so I said politely, you're in my seat. Her boyfriend who was sitting next to her, asked if I could switch seats with her, it wouldn't have been an aisle seat. I just said very nicely, no I'm sorry.
She gave me the dirtiest look, which frankly, I couldn't have cared about...then I guess they found someone next to her seat to switch and he moved.
There is no way I was going to give up my aisle seat for a 9 hour flight just so the lovebirds could be together!
She gave me the dirtiest look, which frankly, I couldn't have cared about...then I guess they found someone next to her seat to switch and he moved.
There is no way I was going to give up my aisle seat for a 9 hour flight just so the lovebirds could be together!
Dec 1st, 2007, 11:01 AM
#96
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Opportunity..Economy/tourist class seats range from desirable to not so desirable. Airlines should equalize their value. Window seats, a little narrower and half price beverages. Center seats, much wider and free beverages, Aisle seats, a little narrower and regular prices. Maybe gifts...Aisle, none, middle, very nice, window, a small one.
Another strategy; resize space and seat depending on location.
More ideas?
Another strategy; resize space and seat depending on location.
More ideas?
Dec 1st, 2007, 11:11 AM
#97
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I normally book at least 6 months in advance and always get an aisle seat because I go to the bathroom about once an hour and don't want to wake someone up to climb over them on an international flight. When things go awry, however and I lose the seat I planned to carefully for, I'm not too happy about it but I suck it up. Sometimes I do end up with a better seat like first row behind business class with plenty of leg room (but no seat in front to put things I'll need during the flight - and at 4'10" it's hard for me to get to the overhead bin (I have to stand on my seat to reach it). My first flight to Europe at 15 I was in the middle seat and a huge woman was in the aisle and she spilled her dinner and drink all over herself and over ME!
Dec 1st, 2007, 11:24 AM
#98
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I was flying from Heathrow with my mom and dad. Dad was still on the mend from a horrible stomach flu, and my mom is a nervous flyer.
Upon boarding the plane, we discovered people sitting in our seats. We politely explained the mistake. They ignored us, as if they couldn't hear or understand. I lost my patience. The plane was filling up fast and it was cramped in there. I persisted. We needed our seats. Turned out they wanted our seats so they could sit together as a family- a family of about a hundred million, all adults. Well, at least a dozen.
Finally I was able to get two of them to move but the one sitting in my dad's designated seat refused to move. He motioned to the one lone single seat far, far away (his seat!) for my dad to take. I was livid. No way was I going to let my parents get split up for the flight, and while I could have taken the far off single seat, no way were these jackoffs going to get away with pulling such crap. I had to dig in and keep persisting until finally a flight attendant came over and dealt with them.
One of that group was sitting in front of me, and she started complaining about how it wasn't right that they couldn't all sit together (in all seriousness at least a dozen adults). I'm tall, so I spent the flight digging my knees into her back as hard as I could, since she had her seat reclined for nearly the entire flight. Actually, I remember I had to get the flight attendant to ask them to put their seats up during the meal. I also made sure to lean really hard on her seat with my hand every time I got up, and let it go with a sudden jerk.
I'm a big believer in maintaining one's dignity and decorum at all times, but it is a personal failing of mine that I will get all George Constanza in these types of situations.
Upon boarding the plane, we discovered people sitting in our seats. We politely explained the mistake. They ignored us, as if they couldn't hear or understand. I lost my patience. The plane was filling up fast and it was cramped in there. I persisted. We needed our seats. Turned out they wanted our seats so they could sit together as a family- a family of about a hundred million, all adults. Well, at least a dozen.
Finally I was able to get two of them to move but the one sitting in my dad's designated seat refused to move. He motioned to the one lone single seat far, far away (his seat!) for my dad to take. I was livid. No way was I going to let my parents get split up for the flight, and while I could have taken the far off single seat, no way were these jackoffs going to get away with pulling such crap. I had to dig in and keep persisting until finally a flight attendant came over and dealt with them.
One of that group was sitting in front of me, and she started complaining about how it wasn't right that they couldn't all sit together (in all seriousness at least a dozen adults). I'm tall, so I spent the flight digging my knees into her back as hard as I could, since she had her seat reclined for nearly the entire flight. Actually, I remember I had to get the flight attendant to ask them to put their seats up during the meal. I also made sure to lean really hard on her seat with my hand every time I got up, and let it go with a sudden jerk.
I'm a big believer in maintaining one's dignity and decorum at all times, but it is a personal failing of mine that I will get all George Constanza in these types of situations.
Dec 1st, 2007, 11:44 AM
#99
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"I'm a big believer in maintaining one's dignity and decorum at all times"
Not me, no more! I have sat in too many flights where the FA have thought I was the mother of some obnoxious unsupervised brat when the mother or father were two seats over. I am SICK AND TIRED of people with kids thinking that they have extra rights because they want their family together. Too damn bad about you. I am sitting in the seat that I reserved months ago - on the aisle.
I am flying from ZRH to BOS in two days and booked my aisle seat about 4 months ago. And have it in writing.
Not me, no more! I have sat in too many flights where the FA have thought I was the mother of some obnoxious unsupervised brat when the mother or father were two seats over. I am SICK AND TIRED of people with kids thinking that they have extra rights because they want their family together. Too damn bad about you. I am sitting in the seat that I reserved months ago - on the aisle.
I am flying from ZRH to BOS in two days and booked my aisle seat about 4 months ago. And have it in writing.
