The Redditor lost his cool when the mother couldnt control her child from grabbing his phone. I am not your sweet old gray haired grandmother, and I dont care how cute your kids are, Im not moving. I didnt think fast enough to make that request. The passenger stood his ground and politely asked the woman to see if someone in her row volunteered to switch places with her kid. Its not your job to placate anyone though I recognize that women often feel pressured to. The first step in my opinion is to assume the person making the request is doing so with good intentions. WebIn the caption under a video posted Tuesday, Audrey Peters, a 25-year-old influencer from Miami with 653,000 TikTok followers, said she refused to give up her assigned seat on a flight for a middle seat when asked to by a group of passengers. I was in the window seat, my husband in the aisle seat. I cannot help you, but perhaps one of the attendants can. I would also get on the plane early and ask the passenger before they got settled in. I will never take a window seat in an exchange unless its in first class. Thanks for reading! Am I being old-fashioned? They asked the netizen if they could change seats with them, to which they politely refused, while also giving them a couple of reasons why. they have reason to believe that a swap would be more beneficial to them than inconvenient to you), then I would take a more polite, understanding approach. Editorial Note: The editorial content on this page is not provided by any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. That was a HARD NO. Terms apply. How did you react? Your comments are much appreciated! After deciding to remain in her seat, she reflected: I dont want to look like an a-hole, but I dont think Im an a-hole in this situation. And like her, I am NOT your sweet old aunt or grandmother. To his dismay, he was the womans husband, and he never bothered to give up his seat either. Flying with young children is challenging; doing so while sitting in separate rows, or under unexpected circumstances (a distant family member falling ill, for instance), is far more difficult. I am not moving. But let me ask this: will you ever see these people again? In literally hundreds of flights, I have been asked only twice to change seats, once by the flight attendant to allow a very elderly and frail woman to sit next to a member of her family, who was seated next to me. Many passengers are downright with their refusal | Photo: Pexels/athena, SEAT SWAPS BEFORE TAKEOFF CAN BE RISKY, CLAIMS PILOT. Unless they make a convincing appeal for why they really need my seat, I say something like "sorry, but I specifically reserved {an aisle seat, a window seat, a seat in the front of the plane, etc}". Some people realize the seat isnt for them after booking in advance and mostly walk to someone in the aisle seat requesting an exchange. I would simply never ask. With a packed flight you get what you get. Across TikTok, the audio in the video has been used by many to discuss the experience of being asked to look after or pander to the needs of another person's kids. What video game is Charlie playing in Poker Face S01E07? If you have a similar dilemma, let us know via life@newsweek.com. And I'd leave it at that. In October, a woman named Maresa Friedman defended herself for not moving seats in a TikTok that went viral, eliciting a response from another creator who urged her to "do better" and have "compassion" for families. How can I refuse tactfully, without causing this bitterness? News.com.au ran a poll asking whether the passenger whom Aussie man Jay Kloss asked to switch seats with should have given it up and a massive 83 percent of the 7,178 readers voted No. WebAfter her video went viral, it reignited a plane etiquette debate that keeps blowing up on TikTok. Bumping, also known as denied boarding, happens when there are more passengers scheduled to fly on an airplane than available seats. Its not my fault the couple didnt reserve seats together. Was I wrong to hold my ground?, The New York Times expert replied with: Generally, you are entitled to sit in the seat that you paid for the one that is printed on your boarding pass. He came back and asked me to switch seats. When I travel, I book my flights well in advance. So I never offer a reason. As we finalized our guest list, it was obvious to me that his single sister would not get a plus one for the wedding. Audrey Peters, a content creator from the US, said a stranger had asked her to move to a middle seat - leaving her laughing over the unfair request. The U.S. Transportation Department issued a notice to airlines in July urging them to do everything in their power to ensure that children who are age 13 or younger Man refuses to swap plane seats for a mother and her baby because he paid extra to sit there 2 Passenger with no experience lands private plane after pilot incapacitated Palm Beach International Airport/Live ATC Recordings My moving would allow them to sit together. Tone is important the aim is to sound firm, but not irritated by the request. Also, our wedding is taking place across the country, and including this man in wedding events over several days doesnt sit right with me. If its not me its another male flying alone being asked to move and I find myself chuckling under my breath that that guy got it and I didnt get picked. Disagree, its just compassion for others. However, the bizarre requests didnt stop there. Join half a million readers enjoying Newsweek's free newsletters. One guy downright refused to swap his seat with a mother who didnt stop condemning him. If you are a tall person you may use this explanation: I'm sorry but I chosen the aisle seat because I'm too tall to seat comfortably in the other seats. Terms apply. On the Internet Viral Reddit Trending Online The internet has backed a Redditor who refused to give up their plane seat so a family could sit together. Just let it be part of your calculation., RELATED: Worst Seatmate Ever: Frequent Flyers Reveal Their Worst Experiences. "Sorry, but I just didn't like moving from my chosen seat once I am settled". When I travel, I book my flights well in advance. | doubt the flight attendants even think about this what I call flight attendant gender targeting. Often times members of said family will spend using their phones, watching their screens or sleeping. Don't give them any opening which would allow them to argue with you that their "need" might be greater than yours. Shall I press the call button so they can help you?". Yes, its a tough situation with all the traveling Dynamics but I think youre within your rights to want to keep the seat that you have unless theres not an upgrade or a reasonable alternative or similar seat available. It leaves the door open for them to propose something different that still satisfies my requirement; if a family is trying to do seat-Tetris to sit together, maybe that information helps them. In a similar incident in 2020, Wolfson faced the same dilemma during her flight to London. for long transcontinental or international flights. Its hard for most passengers to say no to someone who wants to sit beside their loved one. This is your wedding. Our wedding is approaching. Don't suggest you have a preference or specific need. ", With more than 9,000 upvotes and thousands of comments, the passenger explained: "I traveled home today from Greece. However, Mr Kloss was still The audio, which originates from a scene in the 2023 thriller movie "The Reading," has been going viral on TikTok in recent weeks and has been used in more than 70,000 videos. If you decide to turn down the request to switch seats, doing it politely and in a friendly tone may help soften the blow even though you dont owe an explanation for why youre not okay with swapping. In February, a TikToker received more than 9 million views on a post in which he used the audio to document the moment he refused to let a crying child take the last spot on a Formula 1 test ride. Beginners Guide to Credit Card Points & Miles, Booking Tool for Flights, Hotels, Cruises and Cars. But when they boarded the plane, a family of four approached the Redditor and asked if they could switch spots. WebAITA for refusing to switch airplane seats twice? The influencer also posts content about her designer purchases on Instagram, where she has 94,000 followers. Im a bit taller and try to plan out my travel so that I do have an aisle seat also as I have a bad knee. This is a powerful position to take. It was a bit awkward, but we all survived and arrived safely at our destination. Last year I was taking American Airlines to London. Not the first person to refuse to swap seats on a flight, a couple earlier this year was praised for refusing to swap seats with a frightened girl, and another woman was cheered after she didn't give up her seat for a "rude" mom and child. Its one of the most common excuses of all. You will never be T A for refusing to switch seats. A passenger on Virgin Australia airlines started a debate over airplane etiquette after a man said no to swapping seats so he could sit next to his wife. I do not know what exactly was going on, but I do not think it appropriate to ask a passenger to give up his/her seat and really not appropriate to get a pilot to ask. When a family asks me to switch seats on the plane so they can sit together, she said in a TikTok video - as she filmed herself sipping a glass of champagne after the seat rejection. A reader seeks reassurance after declining to move for parents flying with children. Otherwise no dice., While one recalled: So funny people are like this. But Im not going from an exit row or bulkhead seat I paid for just because someone wants to sit next to their special someone. Commenters said they supported his decision, adding that it would be good for the child to learn they couldn't have everything their way. In a TikTok post which has now garnered more than 900,000 The internet has backed a Redditor who refused to give up their plane seat so a family could sit together. I, too, book my flights way in advance and always get to the airport early. Eventually the passenger in the window seat next to Mr Kloss offered to swap with Zoe meaning the couple did sit next to each other. Some folks like the window seat. The flight was roughly ten hours and around this time of year, it's extremely hectic. She shut up, was taken into the kitchen area and probably got a warning. The passenger said the woman continued to "make a scene" and call him out in front of other passengers. I think the flight crews should be more proactive about that when they see an uncomfortable seating arrangement, when they have crew on travelling on board. A PASSENGER refused to swap seats during a flight with a family so they could all sit together - but people are saying the same thing. If I am traveling alone, I will only exchange seats if they are offering a better seat than the one I am in. Because of that, you owe someone else nothing. I asked where he was and stewardess pointed out the husband in the very back of first class. In Deltas first class to NYC I encountered a young woman who, because she met an old boyfriend according to her in the line waiting to get into the plane, wanted to sit next to him, also in first class. There were, however, a few people who sided with Mr Kloss. I was placed across the aisle. A man who was unable to book two airline seats next to each other, so he could sit next to his wife became frustrated after a fellow passenger refused to swap I do not give up my assigned seat. I cant stand people like this if it was their honeymoon, they likely booked way in advance and just didnt take the extra 60 seconds to find seats together. But the one thing thats really upsetting is the sense of entitlement by the folks who have literally demanded or told me that I needed to move to accommodate them with me as a single traveler. They asked. Hundreds of commenters said they agreed with her decision and would have done the same. The same happened to the lady beside me. I Refused to Switch Seats on a Plane. Other people can do so as well. At the time, I was learning Portuguese from cds and decided to spend the rest of the flight with my ear buds and she had to listen to me speak in Portuguese responding to the Portuguese lessons and I made sure she could hear every word all the way across the United States. I also try to keep our rows close together so people dont have to move their bag in the overhead if I dont reach them in time. Book your flights earlier babes.. (Lets put aside rules about emergency exit rows and other special circumstances.) Grow up. Editorial Note: The editorial content on this page is not provided by any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. If you don't, you could actually make it the truth by applying a personal policy to book seats with a number which is suitably relevant to you, thereby maintaining a clear conscience.). While another reply said: "People need to learn to take the first no graciously. I asked why and was told the elderly lady wanted to sit with her husband. Nap. She threw a fit when I refused to give up the window seat next to my husband so she could lean against the wall and sleep. That doesn't mean you need to agree to a bad trade, but don't add to the aggravation by being harsh with them. One guy downright refused to swap his seat with a mother who didnt stop condemning him. Usually, 1 would move and it didnt matter whether I had the window or aisle seat. A passenger has been praised online after refusing to swap seats twice on a 10-hour flight. One time we were traveling internationally and a woman wanted my window seat. When folks have asked me to move, I am very polite but explain that I paid for my seat in advance so that I could have extra leg room or movement. For instance, a woman was asked to switch seats owing to ultra-Orthodox beliefs. I indicated if I switched seats with the elderly lady she would not be sitting next to her husband. 75,000 bonus miles, at least 2x miles on everything. Basic economy states exactly that issue if you want to save a few bucks and not pay for the seats. Plus, 3x points on gas and $100 annual hotel savings. It doesn't work on everyone, but it's been surprisingly effective for me. I didnt say anything but thought after that I should have said no but didnt want to cause a scene. On TikTok, Peters typically posts fashion and lifestyle content, filming herself putting together an outfit for the day or showing viewers some of her recent purchases from designer brands. On "Are You Obligated to Switch Seats on a Plane? My buddy Robert Rose, who hosts the popular travel show Raw Travel, which airs nationwide on a variety of networks including CBS, NBC and Fox, posted a message on Facebook, By now, Im sure youve seen all of the terrible images and graphics of states and hospitals being overwhelmed by COVID-19. Well, it sounds nice. Shockingly, the crew never intervened in Wolfsons matter both the times until she sued them. Do not engage with a pushy passenger. On flights, seatmates (strangers near my seat) have asked me to swap my aisle seat (reserved in advance, sometimes paid for), usually to my disadvantage as their seat has some snag (dirtier, narrower, too close to lavatory). A man asked if he was in the wrong to ask a fellow airline passenger to switch seats with him so he could sit by his wife. I wouldnt be doing my job, though, if I didnt encourage you to empathize with the parents. Williams with the infant and her two older children, three-year-old Theodore and two-year-old Gigi, were seated together in a row. And since you are asking people to fly across the country to spend several days celebrating your wedding, he may want to offer his sister the courtesy of a companion. When they asked a passenger seated near them if they were willing to switch seats, he refused. Never again. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. But for others, no. The comments on this page are not provided, reviewed, or otherwise approved by the bank advertiser. We believe that every person's story is important as it provides our community with an opportunity to feel a sense of belonging, share their hopes and dreams. That doesn't obligate me to sit in a less-comfortable seat by other criteria. The other time, a woman in her twenties, some 30 years younger than I, travelling alone, asked me to change my aisle seat for her center seat "because it will be easier for me to work on my computer." I'm short enough that my legs fit in just about any airline seat. Johnny Jet does not include all card companies or all card offers available in the marketplace. A man asked if he was in the wrong to ask a fellow airline passenger to switch seats with him so he could sit by his wife. Commenters said under Peters' video that they would have done the same thing if they were in her position, adding that they didn't think passengers should ever feel pressured to move from the seat they booked, especially when they're not being offered better seat. Its not fair for flight attendants to move or let people move to these seats when one or more paid extra to sit there.. For instance, a person named Onne Vegter explained on Quora hed refused to swap seats with a woman because she wasnt willing to give up on her emergency exit seat. If they do, book early and pick your seats like I do. However, if a co-passenger requests you to switch places and you find a valid point in it, the decision is entirely up to you. @LyndonWhite "Asking" implies that they are making a request of me - one that I am free to either accept or refuse. After asking Reddit users if they were in the wrong for refusing to move, commenters started leaving their thoughts overwhelmingly siding with the poster. For more engaging lifestyle content, visit 7Life on Facebook. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered. This brings me to my problem: The last two times Ive flown, a steward asked me to change seats to accommodate a parent flying alone with small children. For a family with a small child, I would seriously consider moving as a courtesy, however since the airlines are all charging you in some way if you want a good seat, they should compensate you for that. Flying with young children is challenging; doing so while sitting in separate rows, or under unexpected circumstances (a distant family member falling ill, for instance), is far more difficult. Disagreeing with an answer is not a reason to comment. But I digress. Because I am handicapped, I paid the difference and chose the Main Cabin rate to be a little more comfortable. I select mine well in advance esp.