Helpppppp not sitting together? Sort of budget related

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

You people are so weird. If you can't afford prefered seating, a child under 13 should just be alone? How is that fair for the CHILD? Let's spend some more time judging people with tight budget and punishing their children for it.

Clearly, airline should book any child with a parent. If no two seats next to each other are available, they shouldnt let the booking go through. It's not rocket science.

I hate that mentally. If we lived in a world where the money you own was entirely based on merit and effort, I might get it. But we don't. You're lucky you can spare dollars for those upgrades. Other people can't or if they do, they'll have to cut somewhere else along the line.

Also, it is entirely true that airline DO NOT let you see all available seats.

The feature to pay to choose seat shouldn't even exist. If a family is split and you feel pressured into giving up a seat you "paid for", you should be mad at the airline who didnt block at least two seats together.

The problem with this is that the trip is a pleasure trip. In fact, it is what many consider a luxury trip. They are going to Disney. Something some families will never, in their entire lifetimes, will be able to afford.

There are many things I simply don't do, because I can't afford it. I've only flown first class, once. I was upgraded because they had overbooked and grabbed the pregnant lady to take to first class. I've always driven economy cars. Never a luxury. I can't tell you the last time I had steak. I've never been to Hawaii, Alaska or on a cruise. I've only been to Europe because my father was military and the government flew us.

It would be a different story if they were heading to a funeral. Or heck, even going to meet Dad coming back from deployment.

 

[CalDisneyMomof2]

Did OP know WHEN they booked that they may not be sitting together? I personally like to fly on the cheap but sitting next to my children is important - maybe not as much now that my kids are 5 and nearly 8 but for long flights I'd definitely want it.

When I fly with just my husband and I, we take whichever seats we're dealt but ask politely at check-in if at all possible we can be sat with each other if they can't accommodate it isn't the end of the world. I'm not willing to take that chance when the kids fly with us and just factor that cost into my price.

I like what Frontier is doing with their flights. They have a "family section". It's at the back of the plane and the cost is cheaper however you MUST have a child flying with you to sit back there.

 

[megster1123]

Did OP know WHEN they booked that they may not be sitting together? I personally like to fly on the cheap but sitting next to my children is important - maybe not as much now that my kids are 5 and nearly 8 but for long flights I'd definitely want it.

When I fly with just my husband and I, we take whichever seats we're dealt but ask politely at check-in if at all possible we can be sat with each other if they can't accommodate it isn't the end of the world. I'm not willing to take that chance when the kids fly with us and just factor that cost into my price.

I like what Frontier is doing with their flights. They have a "family section". It's at the back of the plane and the cost is cheaper however you MUST have a child flying with you to sit back there.

OMG I would pay the higher fee just to avoid sitting in the family section. I'll pony up the bucks and take the kids up to the front section. Sounds like a nice option for those who need the reduced fare, but I would not be too keen on being in the "kid" section of a flight.

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

Did OP know WHEN they booked that they may not be sitting together? I personally like to fly on the cheap but sitting next to my children is important - maybe not as much now that my kids are 5 and nearly 8 but for long flights I'd definitely want it.

When I fly with just my husband and I, we take whichever seats we're dealt but ask politely at check-in if at all possible we can be sat with each other if they can't accommodate it isn't the end of the world. I'm not willing to take that chance when the kids fly with us and just factor that cost into my price.

I like what Frontier is doing with their flights. They have a "family section". It's at the back of the plane and the cost is cheaper however you MUST have a child flying with you to sit back there.

According to the OP's first post:

"There were no other available seats except "preferred" which cost a bunch of money. I'm not paying extra. Anyone deal with this before? I'm on hold with the airline now trying to see what can be done but I have meetings coming up that I need to leave for and won't be able to call back until late and I'm panicking. The hold time is 30-55 minutes. Anyone deal with this before?"

So, it sounds like she knew. And doesn't plan on paying extra for the preferred, assigned seats.

 

[CalDisneyMomof2]

OMG I would pay the higher fee just to avoid sitting in the family section. I'll pony up the bucks and take the kids up to the front section. Sounds like a nice option for those who need the reduced fare, but I would not be too keen on being in the "kid" section of a flight.

In which you can STILL get sat with the worst kid on the plane

 

[CalDisneyMomof2]

According to the OP's first post:

"There were no other available seats except "preferred" which cost a bunch of money. I'm not paying extra. Anyone deal with this before? I'm on hold with the airline now trying to see what can be done but I have meetings coming up that I need to leave for and won't be able to call back until late and I'm panicking. The hold time is 30-55 minutes. Anyone deal with this before?"

So, it sounds like she knew. And doesn't plan on paying extra for the preferred, assigned seats.

Ahhh...so it was clearly stated. I feel sorry for OP but I would have chose a different flight, booked earlier to ensure I didn't have to pay for Premium or paid the extra couple hundred to sit next to my child. Too bad for them but there were other options they chose not to use.

 

[SirDuff]

In which you can STILL get sat with the worst kid on the plane

Especially if you brought them

 

[ConnecticutFlea]

That's really interesting. Wonder why they were so quick to make other people give up their seats.

According to SWA rules-
View attachment 193545
From your story above I can't tell if they were in the gate area 10 mins before your scheduled departure.

Can't assume too much here but almost sounds like either they didn't get to the gate area in time and if so they may have not told the gate agent they would like Family boarding.Technically the Family Boarding rules are only an adult NOT two adults. Either way sounds like the family messed up and expected to get their way. I for one would have stuck firmly in my seat.

They might have arrived at the gate 10 minutes before departure, but by then the rest of the passengers had already boarded and the flight attendants had secured all the overhead bins and we're going to lock the door. I assume the flight attendants wanted a quick resolution so we could get off the ground with minimal delay. When no one initially volunteered, one of the flight attendants said that we weren't going anywhere till someone moved. As soon as the seats were swapped we backed away from the gate.

I was really surprised that anyone thought they were so important that Southwest would delay their normal boarding procedures to wait for them.

 

[kjw42]

Unless the booking information explicitly said "you may not be seated together", it's not totally unreasonable to interpret that as "the airline will pick three seats together for you, but they may not be the best seats and might straddle an aisle".

Agreed. I had a 10 year flying hiatus and just assumed that's what was meant. Luckily we were two adults so it didn't matter. On my next flight on SWA ,6 years and two kids later, I called the airline to confirm how family boarding worked.

 

[megster1123]

Especially if you brought them

My kids suddenly morph into these weird mini adults on planes. They're like those two kids in the Airplane movie - suddenly proper and courteous and almost creepily put-together. Off the plane and boom, they're 4 & 5 again. It's the strangest thing.

 

[GaryDis]

Ahhh...so it was clearly stated. I feel sorry for OP but I would have chose a different flight, booked earlier to ensure I didn't have to pay for Premium or paid the extra couple hundred to sit next to my child. Too bad for them but there were other options they chose not to use.

That's not the way I interpreted the OP. I interpret it as they booked the flight a long time ago, but yesterday was the first day they were able to check in and pick their seats, at which time the only thing left was center seats. Booking earlier would have been no help since they still couldn't choose their seats until yesterday (for a flight leaving today).

Having been Southwest users previously, they were unfamiliar with other booking practices, so it's not totally fair to say they should have known back when they booked the flight that no adjacent seats would be available when they were actually allowed to pick seats. Someone inexperienced might assume that early seat selection was just about picking the front out seats for early exit on arrival, or in the rear to be close to the bathroom, or similar priorities.

 

[CalDisneyMomof2]

That's not the way I interpreted the OP. I interpret it as they booked the flight a long time ago, but yesterday was the first day they were able to check in and pick their seats, at which time the only thing left was center seats. Booking earlier would have been no help since they still couldn't choose their seats until yesterday (for a flight leaving today).

Having been Southwest users previously, they were unfamiliar with other booking practices, so it's not totally fair to say they should have known back when they booked the flight that no adjacent seats would be available when they were actually allowed to pick seats. Someone inexperienced might assume that early seat selection was just about picking the front out seats for early exit on arrival, or in the rear to be close to the bathroom, or similar priorities.

I guess what I'm saying is, if I were in that position and wasn't 100% certain our seats are right next to one another I would have a) chose a flight that I COULD do so b) would have been on the phone with the airline before even booking to ensure we'd be sitting together or c) fork over the premium price

 

[Vijoge]

I like what Frontier is doing with their flights. They have a "family section". It's at the back of the plane and the cost is cheaper however you MUST have a child flying with you to sit back there.

I hope Southwest doesn't decide to do this. The last row, aisle seat, right side, is my seat of choice and I usually don't fly with kids.

. . . but I would not be too keen on being in the "kid" section of a flight.

OTOH, if a family section was available on those times I do fly with the little ones I would happily avail myself of the opportunity to sit there.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

They might have arrived at the gate 10 minutes before departure, but by then the rest of the passengers had already boarded and the flight attendants had secured all the overhead bins and we're going to lock the door. I assume the flight attendants wanted a quick resolution so we could get off the ground with minimal delay. When no one initially volunteered, one of the flight attendants said that we weren't going anywhere till someone moved. As soon as the seats were swapped we backed away from the gate.

I was really surprised that anyone thought they were so important that Southwest would delay their normal boarding procedures to wait for them.

Yeah see I'm so surprised the flight attendants were so accommodating towards the family maybe it was just because of the children's ages. Normally SWA does like to get things going pretty quickly but it does take a bit of time to get everyone on board and the overhead bins all up and ready so sounds like the family was pushing their time limits.

Yeah seems like that family is one where the world revolves around them I suppose. A little more gratitude would have been nice.

 

[GaryDis]

I guess what I'm saying is, if I were in that position and wasn't 100% certain our seats are right next to one another I would have a) chose a flight that I COULD do so b) would have been on the phone with the airline before even booking to ensure we'd be sitting together or c) fork over the premium price

You have to know to ask.

If you went to a restaurant with a party of four, and they asked whether you wanted a booth, table, or first available, and you said first available, would you expect to have to add "but only a table for four, not two separated two-tops"?

 

[CalDisneyMomof2]

You have to know to ask.

If you went to a restaurant with a party of four, and they asked whether you wanted a booth, table, or first available, and you said first available, would you expect to have to add "but only a table for four, not two separated two-tops"?

Not the same but when the OP booked it said there were no seats available at the time unless you pay a premium. If at the restaurant they said there are no seats avaliable together unless I paid a premium I'd say no thank you and go to a different restaurant.

 

[TwoMisfits]

I get both sides of this argument, but it would really be a non-issue if airlines went back to seat set ups where we weren't all packed in like sardines in a tin can. http://www.usatoday.com/story/trave...airplane-reclining-seat-pitch-width/16105491/ Back in "the day", the middle seat wasn't as horrible a seat when you had more leg room and more seat width. Now, it's almost a torture to sit there as an adult-sized person, especially if you don't know who will be on either side of you...I mean, who really wants to give up an aisle seat for it?

 

[GaryDis]

Not the same but when the OP booked it said there were no seats available at the time unless you pay a premium. If at the restaurant they said there are no seats avaliable together unless I paid a premium I'd say no thank you and go to a different restaurant.

Here's what the Delta web site actually says about Basic Economy:

Basic Economy Fare Features
Basic Economy (E booking class) is a value-fare option for price-driven customers. When you purchase Basic Economy, you typically will enjoy our lowest fare, but seats will be assigned at check-in and you will not be able to change or refund your ticket after the Risk Free Cancellation period. Additionally, you will not be eligible for: paid or complimentary upgrades; paid, complimentary or discounted Delta Comfort+™; paid or complimentary Preferred Seats; or same-day confirmed or same-day standby travel changes, regardless of Medallion or other elite status, for flights flown on or after February 1, 2015.

Advance seat selection
Advance seat selection is not available with Basic Economy fares. Seat assignments will be auto-assigned for Basic Economy fare holders during check in.

Observe that it's silent on the question of whether or not the entire party will be seated together.

 

[CalDisneyMomof2]

We're flying to Florida tomorrow (Pensacola, not Orlando). I just checked in and it's showing that me, DH and our 3 year old DS are all sitting in the middle seat in different rows. When I bought the tickets it wouldn't let me pick seats. The rest of the three flights all say "seat assigned at gate." We're flying with Delta, usually we're with Southwest when we go somewhere. They can't honestly think our 3 year old can sit alone, can they?

There were no other available seats except "preferred" which cost a bunch of money. I'm not paying extra. Anyone deal with this before? I'm on hold with the airline now trying to see what can be done but I have meetings coming up that I need to leave for and won't be able to call back until late and I'm panicking. The hold time is 30-55 minutes. Anyone deal with this before?

Here's what the Delta web site actually says about Basic Economy:



Observe that it's silent on the question of whether or not the entire party will be seated together.

My point is that if I'm unsure about something, don't purchase it until you're sure.

I agree with most that it should be built in the price.

 

[Poohlove]

We just flew delta and when I booked our flights I was able to choose our seats. We booked the lowest fare class they had. Maybe it was the route we took?