Traveler Refuses to Trade Seats

September 21, 2012

in Seat Stories

I was flying from LAX to Maui in an aisle seat. A father and his maybe 5 year old son took the other two seats. The father was quite irritated that the airline had changed their seat assignments and split up the family. He then proceeded to apologize in advance for climbing in and out during the flight as he would need to visit his wife and other child. This thought was not appealing at all so I offered to trade for the window seat, a very generous offer I thought. “Oh no, my son needs the window,” he replied.

I pointed out that the take off from LAX is directly over the ocean and then there is nothing to see until the last fifteen minutes or so. I would trade back then. Again, I was rebuffed. So, as promised, the two spent the flight getting up and down. Of course, when he was at his seat, the kid was busy watching a movie. Landing in Maui is always exciting, this time was even more so. I was also glad we were staying on opposite sides of the island and did not see them during my stay.

{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }

Jodi September 23, 2012 at 10:44 am

I am left wondering, was his wife holding an infant? Otherwise the seat change he's upset about doesn't make sense. If so, why not just trade seats with her so the family can be together and you not be so inconvenienced? I'm just wondering.

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Jeanie Schneider September 23, 2012 at 7:02 pm

I fail to see how this was a flight from hell.

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Bill December 30, 2012 at 5:17 pm

That's only because other stories are so bad it makes this one look insignificant.

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Bryn G. September 24, 2012 at 2:35 pm

Because the father kept climbing in and out of the row to visit his wife and other child, disturbing this guy. What I want to know is what was so damn important he had to keep visiting his wife and other child for?

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@LROD319 November 8, 2012 at 10:42 am

That's exactly what I was wondering. My husband, son and I were split up on flights before. We met up at the exit ramp after the flight. WTH?

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Edward September 25, 2012 at 1:41 am

OK so that would kind of annoying. But I'd hardly call it a "flight from Hell". I think you're overreacting.

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Bryn G. September 25, 2012 at 12:22 pm

Everyone's got their own idea of "hell". Have you read some of the stories here? One guy posted because of a senior who took the opportunity to do exercises at the back of the plane, causing the poster to laugh uncontrollably.

Take a look at the heading for this website: "stories about the adventures and anxieties of airplane travel." I think this qualifies as one of those.

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Edward October 23, 2012 at 11:56 pm

You're entitled to think what you want and so am I.

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Anonymous December 16, 2012 at 10:01 pm

Just as an FYI to the OP, a lot of airsick/seasick/bus-sick/carsick people need the window, not to look out of, but as a comfort zone to look at anything but the inside of the vehicle to help with their sickness.

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