Would you have given up your seat?

[endzone_dave]

I was flying Southwest Airlines from Phoenix to Baltimore-Washington on Thursday. I had gotten to the airport early so I got into the "A" group which means I got to board the plane early and get a window seat (my preference). A couple came onto the plane towards the end of boarding when there where only middle seats left which meant they couldn't sit together. The lady sat next to me and her husband/boy friend sat across the aisle in a middle seat. Then he looked at me and said, "$20 to switch seats". I said, "No thanks." Then he said, "$30 bucks, please man." I said, "Sorry, but I hate middle seats." He was begging me for all he was worth.

Would you have given up your window seat for a middle seat, just so a couple could talk to each other for the flight? If it were a two hour flight, I probably would have. A five hour flight is just to long for me to do that.

[NASMTrainer]

Yes I would have given it up. For no money. My wife and I have been in that situation and we know how it is, but that's just me.

[Darth Tater]

I'd look to see if there was an empty row or aisle seat, if one was available I'd move -- no money. For any flight over 2 hours, no way I'd move to the middle for any amount of $, especially if I was flying on business.

[Destino]

Yes.

[The Sir]

HELL NO!!!

[RAC]

I'd have also moved for free.

[GSF]

I might have taken the aisle seat for free, but no way on the middle seat. The middle seat on long flights is he11.

[Buddha]

Depends entirely on how I was asked. But I wouldn't take the guy's money.

[chiefhogskin48]

I would give up my seat without a thought, and CERTAINLY not for any money. To be honest, I think a bit less of you for not giving it up. ;)

I do think it is wierd that he actually offered you money for the seat, though.

[fmorris]

Depends again on how I was asked. If it was a elderly couple I may make an exception, but in most cases, no.

[Buford]

This happens all the time....I guess it would depend on the situation.

If you're a big boy.....and tall. Then no way.........if you're a smaller person and the seat size doesn't bother you....then maybe.

When they start throwing money at you....sounds like they planned on buying this in the 1st place.

So much for planning ahead.

[endzone_dave]

Like someone said earlier, sitting in the middle seat on a long flight is about as bad as it gets.

Plus, if they didn't want to be separated, they could have just gotten to the airport earlier and gotten into the "A" group, like I did. But for them, it was a lot easier to just show up to the airport at the last minute and try to take advantage of someone.

[OrangeSkin]

I would take the money and switch seats.

[DeaconBlue]

I would have given up the seat without hesitation, no charge. No joke. And hey the fact that money was offered kinda rules out the whole "they were planning on taking advantage of someone" thing I think.

[Tom [Giants fan]]

If I was thin and being in the middle wasn't so hard, yes. Being a big guy, I couldn't. I have to hold my legs together as to not touch anyone else. I wouldn't be able to walk by the end of the flight.

[Destino]

Originally posted by endzone_dave
Like someone said earlier, sitting in the middle seat on a long flight is about as bad as it gets.

Plus, if they didn't want to be separated, they could have just gotten to the airport earlier and gotten into the "A" group, like I did. But for them, it was a lot easier to just show up to the airport at the last minute and try to take advantage of someone.

I smell a guilty conscience. You don't have to convince us bro, when it comes down to it you are well within in your right in keeping your seat. It's not like you hurt anybody, in fact you taught those two knuckleheads a life lesson.

[Mr. S]

id give up a window seat for an aisle seat, not sure if i would for a middle seat though, i hate those seats. Not sure if I would take money, I would if it was offered, but wouldnt ask for it otherwise I spose. Middle seats suck though, and deep down many of us still have the "its all about me" attitude. Dont think much about it, was only just a flight, you prolly wont see the people again.

[ohioskins]

I guess I am a softy, because I would give up the seat for nothing. If I was asked nicely, maybe even a please.

But I have been in a situation when my wife and I were on our honeymoon and thanks to a dip **** travel agent we got pushed to stand by.

We were able to sit together from Pittsburgh to Orlando, but I would hope that if we couldn't sit together that someone would be nice enough to help us out.

[Dallsux]

Originally posted by endzone_dave
I was flying Southwest Airlines from Phoenix to Baltimore-Washington on Thursday. I had gotten to the airport early so I got into the "A" group which means I got to board the plane early and get a window seat (my preference). A couple came onto the plane towards the end of boarding when there where only middle seats left which meant they couldn't sit together. The lady sat next to me and her husband/boy friend sat across the aisle in a middle seat. Then he looked at me and said, "$20 to switch seats". I said, "No thanks." Then he said, "$30 bucks, please man." I said, "Sorry, but I hate middle seats." He was begging me for all he was worth.

Would you have given up your window seat for a middle seat, just so a couple could talk to each other for the flight? If it were a two hour flight, I probably would have. A five hour flight is just to long for me to do that.

I would've...it's no big deal to me, but that's just me. Although, I might have made him beg a bit since he started it with offering money, just to see how high he would go. It's amazing how easy you can make money that way. However, knowing me, I probably wouldn't have excepted the money! ;)

[AJWatson3]

i follow the golden rule.... give him the seat and don't take the money.

[endzone_dave]

Originally posted by Destino


I smell a guilty conscience. You don't have to convince us bro, when it comes down to it you are well within in your right in keeping your seat. It's not like you hurt anybody, in fact you taught those two knuckleheads a life lesson.

You nailed it right on the head and my conscience is feeling even more guilty after reading all these posts. I just don't see how it's right for someone to ask another person to sacrifice their comfort on a long flight just to make their own flight better. The only case I could make for that would be if they were traveling with children.

Oh well, I'm sure I'll be in the same situation again and I know I'll have a hard time turning that person down next time.

[Thiebear]

I would have given it up, put your money away if they were elderly..... I thought it was all about kids and elderly :)...

I'm average height weight so I dont care about middle...

[chomerics]

Similar thing happened to me last year on a trip to Japan. I'm 6-2 250 and middle seats suck. Anyways, a Japaneese lady got on the plane with two kids and they were all in middle seats. She asked me nicely if I would switch seats with her kid. I said that would be fine, not realizing how uncomfortable a 12 hour flight was.

Well she sat behind me with her kids, and they were crying kicking and screaming for the final 8 hours of the flight. After her kids continued to kick my seat, I turned and asked her politely if she could stop her kids from kicking my seat. She told them to stop, but in five minuites they started again. Again, I told her poltiely that I gave up my seat for her and I would appreciate it if she could make sure her kids wouldn't kick my seat anymore. Still continued, I was pissed but I also understand that kids have a problem sitting still. I ended up sitting in the back of the plane on the floor for the remaining flight (it was a completely full flight).

In hindsight, I won't give up my seat again for the longer flights unless it's an elderly person. I've done it before and it started out a two week business trip on the wrong foot to begin with, so I probably won't do it again.

My $0.02

[aREDSKIN]

Well if someone asked me to switch seats I'd quickly glance over and see who'd I be sitting between. If it's 2 babes then I'm switching if not then the money better be worth it. But hey that's just me.

[Ax]

Originally posted by aREDSKIN
Well if someone asked me to switch seats I'd quickly glance over and see who'd I be sitting between. If it's 2 babes then I'm switching if not then the money better be worth it. But hey that's just me.

Also, if you were single, and the woman in question was an attractive hottie in a mini-skirt, you could always offer to have her sit on your lap. You could all talk about the first thing that pops up. ;)



:jk: A lot of things could dictate what I would do. But rest assured, I go with my first instinct, and never look back.

Don't sweat it.

[Tommy-the-Greek]

I would be very reluctant if I had got there early just so I could get a window seat and that seat was something that made that trip easier for me, but since the window seat isn't that important to me it depends on how the man asked. What was his tone of voice and body language and facial expressions telling me. If I felt they were nice people I would have moved and not taken the man's money.

[Buford]

I wouldn't worry about it.

It could of been worse.

They could of not had 2 tickets and needed 1 so they could both fly somewhere.

I think pulling out money and being so quick to go higher shows this guy has done this before....not what somebody else said earlier about it NOT being planned.

[Symbol]

They obviously haven't been married too long. On September 4th, it will be 12 years that I've been married, so I do this just so I don't have to sit next to my wife. We travel to Japan from time to time with my kids. The moment I sit down on the seat, I buckle up, go to sleep, and the only thing that's getting me up from my seat are if my kids decide they want to act up, or my wife tells me that we're in Tokyo.

In other words, you did good. I'm short and I don't give up my seat for anyone. Of course, I always request to sit next to the door. I want the most comfortable seat I can get, and I'm not going more than coach for a flight that's going to take 11 to 15 hours.

[SkinsNumberOne]

Originally posted by endzone_dave


You nailed it right on the head and my conscience is feeling even more guilty after reading all these posts. I just don't see how it's right for someone to ask another person to sacrifice their comfort on a long flight just to make their own flight better. The only case I could make for that would be if they were traveling with children.

Oh well, I'm sure I'll be in the same situation again and I know I'll have a hard time turning that person down next time.

I wouldn't feel bad about it. I was in a long relationship recently, and when we flew - if we got separated, the only time I would ask for a switch is if the situation were equal - i.e. window for window, or potentially better for him dependent on his preferences, window for aisle or the opposite.

I would never ask to switch and make the other guy more uncomfortable. I wouldn't make that imposition. If asked, I would have switched, but I can't blame anyone for not switching. They're adults, they can handle it. It would be different for a kid who wants to see out a window (I've done that one, and paid for it of course) or for an older person.

I guess I shouldn't be surprised at some of the judgmental tones of some of these posts though.

[luckydevil]

Yes and for free

[BurgundyBomber]

I'd say 'No, thanks." and keep my seat. They aren't going to die not sitting to each other, and as Chomerics related, sometimes it seems that no good deed goes unpunished.

If the elderly or handicapped had been involved perhaps, but I'm rarely in the mood to short myself because of a lack of planning on someone else's part.

Perhaps next time they'll either book their seats accordingly or show up early or do whatever they need to do to ensure they can breathe each others' air.

[Montilar]

I would say Not gonna happen.

On my alaska vacationafew years back, we flew from Dulles to Seattle, then to anchorage. And the return trip was the same.

The return trip (Seattle to Dulles) was pure unadulterated H*LL.

I'm not tiny tim. I was stuck in a cramped middle seat. Which wasn't bad as we had vacancies, and we had enough room to spread out and be comfortable. That is until another carrer canceled their flight. And our carrier held the plane to allow the other carrier's passengers to board us. Meaning there was not one empty seat on the flight from Seattle to Washington. And I was stuck between two oversized people. Crammed and crunched the entire flight. Felt like I was in a sardine can.

Nope, you got the good seat, keep it and don't feel the slightest bit of remorse. they could of gotten the good seats if they had really wanted to.

[smashmowf]

You paid your money for the seat.....you got their early to select a seat that was comfortable for you....I could see if it was a parent and a child then I would definitely switch....but a couple....come on this isnt middle school.

[UtahSkinsFanatic]

I would have said, SOL Baby!! With a little planning and getting to the airport early enough they would have plenty of opportunity to get to sit together. Lack of planning irritates me to no end when some jackoff can waltz in and start trying to dictate where people should sit. You did right endzone_dave.

[Redskinette_Vic]

ONLY if it were a parent and child. Two people who didn't get to the airport early enough? No way...

unless they had pulled out a C-note... college for Little Skins Fan is only 17 years away!

[Ancalagon the Black]

Five hours is a nap and a quick read--I'd give up the seat and tell 'em to keep their money.

[Waldo da Magnificent]

Yes, for no money. I've done it before, and the middle seat isn't a problem. In fact, I'd prefer the middle seat to the isle - I hate having 2+ people, with no sense of timing, interrupting my nap so they can get out.