Can't sit together with children

[rechoboam]

My TA "forgot" to assign seating for 4 adults and 4 small children travelling together MEL-SIN and back. Telephone line says they can't do anything as all seats are taken or held back if free until T-48.
We would have to refuse to board or even de-board if we can't be reassigned as the youngest children would have no hope in an emergency and would pose a safety risk to others too. How they would rearrange 8 people in separate locations is a bit of a mystery to me in any case.

Is this right- can nothing be done?

 

[QF1]

I am sure you can ask pax to make adjustments to accomodate this requests. I do not see that as a huge case for de-boarding. You have a genuine reason to request these changes.

 

[markis10]

I think you are panicking a bit, at checkin I am sure seats will work out, I have often been asked to move by airlines to accomodate families and most travellers dont have an issue.

 

[rechoboam]

I am sure you can ask pax to make adjustments to accomodate this requests. I do not see that as a huge case for de-boarding. You have a genuine reason to request these changes.

Pax after boarding you mean?
I'm happy to try but its a challenge when you have to do it up to four times over potentially. I'm surprised that seating can't sort something out in advance. The other problem being that someone in the party has a fear of flying and things could get very difficult if we have trouble moving around.

If a four year old is sitting alone, and I would have to go back 10 rows against the flow of traffic to grab a child blocking an aisle in an emergency I believe I would have to deboard. You and indeed everyone else may choose to disagree but ultimately I have to do what I feel is right and safe.

Given we agree this is a legitimate reason to change its the "computer says no" situation that is frustrating.

 

[rechoboam]

I think you are panicking a bit, at checkin I am sure seats will work out, I have often been asked to move by airlines to accomodate families and most travellers dont have an issue.

Actually it is not me that is panicking but I'm trying to keep a lid on the potential panic of others...as the designated frequent flyer it has become my problem

 

[markis10]

Most airlines have rules that prevent males sitting next to children who are not with adults which is another reason why they will try their best to accommodate families.

 

[simongr]

Obviously not intending you to put eight people across the cabin and leave kids by themselves but do you need to be in a block of eight together? Surely worst case would be 1 adult to 1 child in pairs?

 

[rechoboam]

Obviously not intending you to put eight people across the cabin and leave kids by themselves but do you need to be in a block of eight together? Surely worst case would be 1 adult to 1 child in pairs?

That is exactly what I told them. The 'worst' case -which would be fine- would be one adult and 4 children. I was really trying to find any workable solution.

In fact me op-upped to J and someone else looking after them all would be tough but I guess I would just manage.

 

[zig]

I have often been asked to move by airlines to accomodate families and most travellers dont have an issue.

It happens to me as well, most times I fly.

 

[Stephen65]

I think you are panicking a bit, at checkin I am sure seats will work out, I have often been asked to move by airlines to accomodate families and most travellers dont have an issue.

Same here. Provided I get another J window seat I'm usually happy to move. Sometimes you board and its then obvious from the seating that a family or couple have been split and they are too shy to ask so if its no disadvantage to me I offer to switch.

PS: to the OP I wouldn't worry, something will be sorted out either at checkin or on board

 

[DTM1]

I would not be concerned - the airline will move people around. I know I have been moved previously to accomodate family requirements (both in J and Y)

 

[amaroo]

Can understand your frustration. As others have posted I'm confident that all will be sorted so that the little ones are seated appropriately.

IMO I would get a new TA! If they booked rooms for you I'd also double check they didn't stuff that up as well.....namely, NON smoking rooms! Assuming you want NS.

 

[rechoboam]

Can understand your frustration. As others have posted I'm confident that all will be sorted so that the little ones are seated appropriately.

IMO I would get a new TA! If they booked rooms for you I'd also double check they didn't stuff that up as well.....namely, NON smoking rooms! Assuming you want NS.

Always swap , if you don't your neighbour will and you will have all the children sitting next to you instead!


Don't worry about the TA. I rarely use one. This booking was handled by someone else and their TA and everything is screwed up. Tickets have had to be reissued and hotels re-booked. I think the TA has since retired, probably because of me.

 

[drron]

We had a similiar experience with JAL a few years ago.4 adults,3 children.Had seat allocations together which disappeared 24 hours out.So got to checkin early and they got all 7 of us together.Did take a little time so certainly advise being there when check in opens.

 

[rechoboam]

If online checkin opens 48 hrs before what do I need to do? I never fly SQ. do I just need a last name? I can't work out the booking reference nine as they appear to be on a separate system from Galileo etc

 

[Saji]

Have you tried contacting Singapore Airlines directly. They would put it in as a request and do the whatever they can.

 

[mannej]

Have you tried contacting Singapore Airlines directly. They would put it in as a request and do the whatever they can.

The OP has made reference to contacting SQ it seems.

 

[rechoboam]

The OP has made reference to contacting SQ it seems.

I called SQ at length and they sent a message to "seating" which is better than nothing, still it would be reassuring if something concrete were done in advance

 

[fjc]

I am sure you can ask pax to make adjustments to accomodate this requests. I do not see that as a huge case for de-boarding. You have a genuine reason to request these changes.

I strongly suggest that you don't ask pax to move, but the CSM as you boardn (if problem not sorted beforehand). A few months ago, I saw a pax on BNE-SYD try to move half the cabin so she could sit next to her kids (who were old enough to sit on their own). Got a right old dressing down from the CSM "I told you we would fix it after everyone is seated".

 

[rechoboam]

as you boardn (if problem not sorted beforehand

Don't even go there. That would be a bad situation.