Pax moves to 3E after takeoff

[Boris spatsky]

Was On a VA domestic flight today on 737-800 in 3F. Another Platinum member in 3D. After takeoff and when the seatbelt sign was turned off, an extremely tall person (6'8" or so by my eyeball) movedhimself from a row further back into seat 3 E. i was asleep and he woke me up by bumping my arm. He was a very big guy and the lady in 3D was clearly put out as well. The crew served him as they did us for beverages without comment. It was very off putting as he was very tall and took up more than just his seat (huge arms). Had his earphones in so could not talk to him.

I tried to ask the FAs what the protocol was but they were too busy. I assumed he would be moved prior to landing but he stayed there!

So, what would you have done? On landing i noticed he had a Wallabies back pack and other Wallabies paraphernlia. Maybe he thought it was his right as a DYKWIA to take whatever seat he likes. Thoughts?

 

[asg29e]

Was On a VA domestic flight today on 737-800 in 3F. Another Platinum member in 3D. After takeoff and when the seatbelt sign was turned off, an extremely tall person (6'8" or so by my eyeball) movedhimself from a row further back into seat 3 E. i was asleep and he woke me up by bumping my arm. He was a very big guy and the lady in 3D was clearly put out as well. The crew served him as they did us for beverages without comment. It was very off putting as he was very tall and took up more than just his seat (huge arms). Had his earphones in so could not talk to him.

I tried to ask the FAs what the protocol was but they were too busy. I assumed he would be moved prior to landing but he stayed there!

So, what would you have done? On landing i noticed he had a Wallabies back pack and other Wallabies paraphernlia. Maybe he thought it was his right as a DYKWIA to take whatever seat he likes. Thoughts?

PITA when that happens. I find physical barriers the best preventive eg tray table down with my laptop spread out over it, newspapers and assorted junk over the spare seat. Perpetrators will often look elsewhere.

 

[Sdtravel]

I'm a little mixed on this one.
is your issue that the pax moved seats or that he moved into the middle seat?

I myself moved recently on a drangonair flight from my aisle seat to an emergency exit row window another pax having already moved himself to the aisle this leaving a middle seat free. Similarly a couple moved on a flight to the exit after checking with the FA as the dude was tall and there already being a passenger in the row of three. Thus filling the row

I can understand the tall guy wanting / needing more space. Before the tall guy asked the FA if they could move he did look rather uncomfortable as his Kees were up against the seat in front.

But I do understand your point though. I have never move into a middle if there was someone already sitting at either side. It's a little rude. I also don't like middles.

I have sat in 3d several months ago so do see the attraction. If the guy was meant to be sitting in the middle seat would you have had such a problem? Or if he had asked the FA who said it was OK or even yourself before taking he seat would you be less pissed at the situation?
Does it come down to etiquette?

 

[kelvedon]

Can't imagine he was on Wallabies business as they have Qantas emblazoned on their jerseys.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Was On a VA domestic flight today on 737-800 in 3F. Another Platinum member in 3D. After takeoff and when the seatbelt sign was turned off, an extremely tall person (6'8" or so by my eyeball) movedhimself from a row further back into seat 3 E. i was asleep and he woke me up by bumping my arm. He was a very big guy and the lady in 3D was clearly put out as well. The crew served him as they did us for beverages without comment. It was very off putting as he was very tall and took up more than just his seat (huge arms). Had his earphones in so could not talk to him.

I tried to ask the FAs what the protocol was but they were too busy. I assumed he would be moved prior to landing but he stayed there!

So, what would you have done? On landing i noticed he had a Wallabies back pack and other Wallabies paraphernlia. Maybe he thought it was his right as a DYKWIA to take whatever seat he likes. Thoughts?

taking up more than your allocated seat? not good.

being very tall and moving to a seat with extra legroom - that's ok provided there is no premium charge for that seat (which hasn't been paid).

if you fly economy you know the seating is 3+3. No entitlement to an empty middle... everyone has paid to sit behind the curtain.

Middle gets both arm-rests, but beyond that a word to the passenger of crew might be necessary to get your space back

 

[Pushka]

It's a bit rude. But you don't own (pay for) that spare seat.

 

[Boris spatsky]

No, but as a WP one of the benefits is row 3. The pax was red status (on his BP, i.e. None) so i find it extremely rude to take that seat and steal the arm rests. My main issue is that they said that all those who had moved were to return to their seats for landing, which he blatantly ignored.

Yes, he is a Wallaby (albeit a reserve) - i looked him up.

 

[markis10]

No, but as a WP one of the benefits is row 3. The pax was red status (on his BP, i.e. None) so i find it extremely rude to take that seat and steal the arm rests. My main issue is that they said that all those who had moved were to return to their seats for landing, which he blatantly ignored.

Yes, he is a Wallaby (albeit a reserve) - i looked him up.

I agree its a bit rude but what can you do, had a flight with Jetconnect to AKL with three of us in the exit row all big boys, the FA commented we looked a bit like a forward pack, I did my best to make all comfortable, at the end of the day it was only three hours.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

No, but as a WP one of the benefits is row 3. The pax was red status (on his BP, i.e. None) so i find it extremely rude to take that seat and steal the arm rests. My main issue is that they said that all those who had moved were to return to their seats for landing, which he blatantly ignored.

Yes, he is a Wallaby (albeit a reserve) - i looked him up.

there is no safety implication from not moving back to the original seat for landing. so ignoring the request is u likely to have any ramifications.

 

[Boris spatsky]

there is no safety implication from not moving back to the original seat for landing. so ignoring the request is u likely to have any ramifications.

There is potentially a centre of gravity issue. Yes, you can put an aircraft out of its C of G for landing (some more easily than others).

 

[fersea]

So he moved back to row 3? So he was in row 1 or 2? So he moved from business class to economy?

The lady in 3D was put off? Presumably she let him into that seat or what did he do jump and land in the middle seat?

 

[mannej]

So he moved back to row 3? So he was in row 1 or 2? So he moved from business class to economy?

The lady in 3D was put off? Presumably she let him into that seat or what did he do jump and land in the middle seat?

No, he was in a row behind row 3.

 

[AviatorPJ]

No, but as a WP one of the benefits is row 3. The pax was red status (on his BP, i.e. None) so i find it extremely rude to take that seat and steal the arm rests. My main issue is that they said that all those who had moved were to return to their seats for landing, which he blatantly ignored.

Yes, he is a Wallaby (albeit a reserve) - i looked him up.

O)h... BORIS Spataksky... this will ignite previous comments about row 3. Which I welcome, no sugar, warmed pot, leaves, ( no bags),full cream milk after.......

 

[mannej]

No, but as a WP one of the benefits is row 3. The pax was red status (on his BP, i.e. None) so i find it extremely rude to take that seat and steal the arm rests. My main issue is that they said that all those who had moved were to return to their seats for landing, which he blatantly ignored.

Yes, he is a Wallaby (albeit a reserve) - i looked him up.

Explicitly speaking, Row 3 is NOT a WP perk. Preferential Seating within a defined zone is.

 

[basso]

No, but as a WP one of the benefits is row 3.

Please provide the written, documentary evidence of this perk. As far as I can tell, it exists only in the minds of folk afflicted with sense of entitlement syndrome.

 

[Intra]

No, but as a WP one of the benefits is row 3

Flawed - Else how did I as a Gold snag 3F on both my flights yesterday (MEL/SYD & SYD/OOL)?

If I have a shadow/middle seat free (Be it Row 3, Row 4 or Row 24), I spread my stuff in that seat, have my bag under the middle seat.... Haven't had troubles with anyone taking such seat....

 

[Simo]

I sometimes spread out a bit at the start of a flight if it is a full flight so I don't get any shadow stealers...

 

[AviatorPJ]

I sometimes spread out a bit at the start of a flight if it is a full flight so I don't get any shadow stealers...

I've found oxygen thieves to be worse than shadow stealers in row 3.

 

[Boris spatsky]

Please provide the written, documentary evidence of this perk. As far as I can tell, it exists only in the minds of folk afflicted with sense of entitlement syndrome.

Wow, you guys get really riled up about this row 3 thing, don't you?? It's an undocumented perk - i have never not been able to pick row 3 on an Embraer or 737 on Virgin as a WP. Did i ever say i had seen it written down? Geez...

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Wow, you guys get really riled up about this row 3 thing, don't you?? It's an undocumented perk - i have never not been able to pick row 3 on an Embraer or 737 on Virgin as a WP. Did i ever say i had seen it written down? Geez...

I admit I was under the impression that only platinums are able to select row 3 on virgin after i read your post!