Pax moves to 3E after takeoff

[ash.1111]

From an FA's pov: Except for weight and balance on take-off, there are no rules that state he cannot move into row 3.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

From an FA's pov: Except for weight and balance on take-off, there are no rules that state he cannot move into row 3.

on weight and balance... if a single passenger moving 31 inches can endanger the safe operation of a B737-800 we would seem to have a much much bigger issue to worry about than seat poaching!! :shock:

 

[bullerdude]

Its not against the rules but it is pretty rude and displeasing - I guess some people are just like that.

Its also one of those unpredictable circumstances when flying economy - sometime you just don't know what will happen. Last week a flight attendant game me free food on VA economy in row 3 and today I had to pay for that same food. So i guess some days are not as goos as others.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Its not against the rules but it is pretty rude and displeasing - I guess some people are just like that.

ordinarily I'd agree - but this guy was 6'8. That probably deserves some leeway (not for spilling out of the seat though, that's still bad)

 

[Happy Trails]

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.

Maybe it's urban myth, but I understood this was to do with ease of identification in the 'unlikely event of an accident'.

 

[Tortuga]

I think I am at a pretty high level when it comes to claiming seats down the back in whY. There is a bit of strategy involved and social boundaries to be lent on. The biggest move occurs when attempting to claim a seat before the doors are closed - risking the awkward 'that's my seat' where you then play the stupid card and act like you're challenged when it comes to reading a boarding pass. Rewards are high but possible social awkwardness is also high. I'm usually against taking that route. The second method which is what I usually employ involves a very thorough survey of the surrounding cabin, taking extra care to notice any free rows. Once a possible target is spotted you have to also see if anyone else has their eyes on the prize.

I found the best way to win if you do happen to spot a competitor eyeing off the row is to announce very loudly to the nearest FA if its OK for you to move seats - ensuring your competitor hears your request. This is basically game over because you get instant social approval without looking rude and basically playing the first in first served game. Once you are in your new row it's simply a matter off applying the scatter gun approach whereby you place as many of your items as possible on the seats and pockets without obstructing access - make sure you make eye contact with passengers nearby to establish your newly found territory. I had a lovely old lady give me the thumbs up after she saw me snag a full middle row that turned into my bed with 1 pillow per seat (3 for the head) for the next 12 hours. The only problem with the full middle row bed solution is how to comfortably put the seat belt around you without strangling your abdomen and enabling modest movement when required. Social courtesy is also required in ensuring a blanket is placed over your feet at the end of the row to prevent the unfortunate passengers next to them having to cover their nose for the next 12 hours. Basic hygiene and good quality socks also helps this problem.

 

[markis10]

I think I am at a pretty high level when it comes to claiming seats down the back in whY. There is a bit of strategy involved and social boundaries to be lent on. The biggest move occurs when attempting to claim a seat before the doors are closed - risking the awkward 'that's my seat' where you then play the stupid card and act like you're challenged when it comes to reading a boarding pass. Rewards are high but possible social awkwardness is also high. I'm usually against taking that route. The second method which is what I usually employ involves a very thorough survey of the surrounding cabin, taking extra care to notice any free rows. Once a possible target is spotted you have to also see if anyone else has their eyes on the prize.

On International flights I just bring up the seat map to check and then ask the FA if its OK.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I think I am at a pretty high level when it comes to claiming seats down the back in whY. There is a bit of strategy involved and social boundaries to be lent on. The biggest move occurs when attempting to claim a seat before the doors are closed - risking the awkward 'that's my seat' where you then play the stupid card and act like you're challenged when it comes to reading a boarding pass. Rewards are high but possible social awkwardness is also high. I'm usually against taking that route. The second method which is what I usually employ involves a very thorough survey of the surrounding cabin, taking extra care to notice any free rows. Once a possible target is spotted you have to also see if anyone else has their eyes on the prize.

I found the best way to win if you do happen to spot a competitor eyeing off the row is to announce very loudly to the nearest FA if its OK for you to move seats - ensuring your competitor hears your request. This is basically game over because you get instant social approval without looking rude and basically playing the first in first served game. Once you are in your new row it's simply a matter off applying the scatter gun approach whereby you place as many of your items as possible on the seats and pockets without obstructing access - make sure you make eye contact with passengers nearby to establish your newly found territory. I had a lovely old lady give me the thumbs up after she saw me snag a full middle row that turned into my bed with 1 pillow per seat (3 for the head) for the next 12 hours. The only problem with the full middle row bed solution is how to comfortably put the seat belt around you without strangling your abdomen and enabling modest movement when required. Social courtesy is also required in ensuring a blanket is placed over your feet at the end of the row to prevent the unfortunate passengers next to them having to cover their nose for the next 12 hours. Basic hygiene and good quality socks also helps this problem.

and they say the romance and glamour has gone out of flying!!

 

[Tortuga]

and they say the romance and glamour has gone out of flying!!

Don't get me started on my fellow passengers who think crop dusting is acceptable behavior. If you have to drop your guts and you can't make it to the toilet then you need to decide if you can make it within close proximity to a lavatory (+- 1m) before dropping it - otherwise you will be dropping it on the way there AKA crop dusting which is the worse possible outcome for the majority of passengers. Those found guilty of crop dusting should have to clean the toilets after the flight. If you don't think you can make it to the toilet then you should just drop it in your seat and accept that the people near you will bear the full brunt of your in flight meal. I think that's better than walking down the aisle and spreading it over 50+ people.

 

[straitman]

on weight and balance... if a single passenger moving 31 inches can endanger the safe operation of a B737-800 we would seem to have a much much bigger issue to worry about than seat poaching!! :shock:

As you say this is not an issue with one person, however the basic rules of common sense should apply. How many people have moved hither and tither around the cabin during flight is an unknown quantity so logic says that they all should move back to whee they started from to ensure the C of G does not become an issue.

Another way to look at it is that possibly with freight loadings the C of G may be near one extreme or other so a few reseated pax could put it outside limits and t/o and landing is when it will become an issue.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

As you say this is not an issue with one person, however the basic rules of common sense should apply. How many people have moved hither and tither around the cabin during flight is an unknown quantity so logic says that they all should move back to whee they started from to ensure the C of G does not become an issue.

Another way to look at it is that possibly with freight loadings the C of G may be near one extreme or other so a few reseated pax could put it outside limits and t/o and landing is when it will become an issue.

agree. but would add that if CoG is a particular issue on any given flight the pilot would need to communicate that the cabin crew so a manual check is made to ensure passengers return to their allocated seats. a simple announcement (knowing some passengers may not act, or may not even understand if it is in English) would be negligent.

in the absence of such actions, I am inclined to think cog is not an issue. (might be a different scenario on very lightly loaded flights, or on small commuter aircraft).

 

[TomVexille]

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

My thoughts exactly

 

[Robbi]

As you say this is not an issue with one person, however the basic rules of common sense should apply. How many people have moved hither and tither around the cabin during flight is an unknown quantity so logic says that they all should move back to whee they started from to ensure the C of G does not become an issue.

Another way to look at it is that possibly with freight loadings the C of G may be near one extreme or other so a few reseated pax could put it outside limits and t/o and landing is when it will become an issue.

On my flights BNE-TSV and return the FA made an announcement saying people could move around but must return to their seats for landing due to the importance of maintaining CoG during takeoff and landing.

Just before landing they reminded everyone to return to their assigned seat.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

On my flights BNE-TSV and return the FA made an announcement saying people could move around but must return to their seats for landing due to the importance of maintaining CoG during takeoff and landing.

Just before landing they reminded everyone to return to their assigned seat.

well that's all very good, but if it was an actual safety issue on a particular aircraft on a particular flight it would require a lot more than a simple announcement.

seat belts fastened, seats backs upright and trays stowed and hand luggage away are all manually checked by crew before take-off and landing. because otherwise there are some people who don't comply.

you couldn't just ask people to return to their seats and 'hope for the best' if it was a critical safety issue.

 

[TomVexille]

...
seat belts fastened, seats backs upright and trays stowed and hand luggage away are all manually checked by crew before take-off and landing. because otherwise there are some people who don't comply.

...

Yet on my VA flight yesterday the man in front of me was still watching his iPad (which was sitting on the tray table) after touchdown and the two others next to him still had their seats fully reclined. The FA walked past at least 3 times while "preparing the cabin for arrival" and didn't even look in their direction.

I know it's supposed to happen every flight, and usually does, but that doesn't mean it always does.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Yet on my VA flight yesterday the man in front of me was still watching his iPad (which was sitting on the tray table) after touchdown and the two others next to him still had their seats fully reclined. The FA walked past at least 3 times while "preparing the cabin for arrival" and didn't even look in their direction.

I know it's supposed to happen every flight, and usually does, but that doesn't mean it always does.

VA should be reported to the CAA for punative action. There is no excuse for that.

 

[TomVexille]

VA should be reported to the CAA for punative action. There is no excuse for that.

It was pretty poor.

 

[blackcat20]

It was pretty poor.

One lady was nice enough to move her seat forward as she stood up though

 

[samas]

On a flight I am on later this evening I currently have the entire row three for myself on a fairly loaded flight... I was planning on putting the 3E tray table up as soon as the seatbelt light goes out..

 

[TomVexille]

One lady was nice enough to move her seat forward as she stood up though

I'm sure she accidentally pressed the button when she grabbed the armrest...