WP shadow given to another PAX after take off

[mrpooky]

Hi,

I'm a QFF WP. I was on QF598 from PER -> BNE (a 767), and I was in an exit row seat (35B) that I'd pre-selected a week or so before.

Up until boarding EF showed my seat as taken, and the neighbouring exit row seat as blocked. I assumed this was because of the rumoured WP shadow. I boarded and was very happy to see that no one took that seat. One of the FAs even commented how lucky I was. This was the first time I believe I've ever seen evidence of the WP shadow, and I was pretty chuffed.

However, straight after takeoff, 35D pax (non-status?) grabbed a passing FA and asked for a better seat. FA was gone for a few minutes, then came back and gave him my shadow: 35A.

I quietly mentioned to the FA that I thought the seat had been blocked to non-status passengers. She said, "Exit row seats can't be blocked."

The (rather annoying) PAX crowded me for the rest of the flight.

Am I just suffering from a precious case of DYKWIA? As I said, this was the first time I've ever seen evidence of any 'shadow preference' for being a WP, so I was pretty disappointed that it was taken away from me.

At least the lovely angel at the BNE QF lounge welcomed me with a smile, and I was able to have a Bulmers and relax for a bit after my terrible ordeal. ;-)

What do you think? Should I just harden up, or did the FA do the wrong thing?

mrpooky.

 

[opusman]

It's not an advertised benefit of status, so I'd say you have no real cause to complain.

 

[danny09]

Not even worth talking to the FA about that kind of thing in flight, wont get you anywhere & will only make you look like a total DYKWIA. But yes harden up in my eyes.

 

[samh004]

I'm pretty sure the FA's have the final say, it's a shame when things like that happen, but you win some and you lose some, and sometimes both on the same flight

 

[pauly7]

Unless you have paid for the seat next to you (unfortunately) you have absolutely no right to 'defend' it.... The shadow is a great un published but not guaranteed benefit.

Having said that I do a few things to 'protect' my shadow once the aircraft door closes and the FA's are seated.

I pile personal belongings on the seat next to me, and as soon as the seat belt sign goes off I usually pull down the tray table on it and put my laptop on there - has a 100% success rate in keeping marauding seat hunters begging

 

[mannej]

I am surprised it wasn't allocated in the first place, considering that the pax would need to operate the exit should anything happen (35a that is)

 

[UP4014]

Shadow is a luxury if available and at no charge. Let it go when it doesn't happen.

 

[Simo]

Unless you have paid for the seat next to you (unfortunately) you have absolutely no right to 'defend' it.... The shadow is a great un published but not guaranteed benefit.

Having said that I do a few things to 'protect' my shadow once the aircraft door closes and the FA's are seated.

I pile personal belongings on the seat next to me, and as soon as the seat belt sign goes off I usually pull down the tray table on it and put my laptop on there - has a 100% success rate in keeping marauding seat hunters begging

I have done the same with great success.

 

[madrooster]

I am surprised it wasn't allocated in the first place, considering that the pax would need to operate the exit should anything happen (35a that is)

On the 767s it doesn't seem to be a requirement to fill the exit rows as there are crew members available at those exits. It's only important on the 737s where there are no crew at the overwing exits.

 

[Groundhog]

Maybe the pax was a WP too and therefore looked after by the FA. I presume he/she had to be briefed on sitting in an exit row seat or was this missed out?

 

[Princess Fiona]

I have done the same with great success.

+2 _________

 

[JohnK]

Not the end of the world to lose a vacant seat. As someone else said you win some you lose some.

As for crowding I would not have let them get away with it but perhaps that is me. They left a perfectly good aisle seat for a cramped window seat and wanted more?

 

[mannej]

On the 767s it doesn't seem to be a requirement to fill the exit rows as there are crew members available at those exits. It's only important on the 737s where there are no crew at the overwing exits.

Correct me if I am wrong, but that only applies for the ex-BA 767's. The OG 767's you get the full safety brief as there aren't any staff at the over wing exit.

 

[madrooster]

Correct me if I am wrong, but that only applies for the ex-BA 767's. The OG 767's you get the full safety brief as there aren't any staff at the over wing exit.

I'm pretty sure there are crew seats next to the row 43 exits on the ex-BA 767s as well as the row 34/35 exits on the QF OG 767s - the QF official seat maps confirm this.

Seat Maps for the Boeing 767-300 | Qantas

 

[mannej]

I'm pretty sure there are crew seats next to the row 43 exits on the ex-BA 767s as well as the row 34/35 exits on the QF OG 767s - the QF official seat maps confirm this.

Seat Maps for the Boeing 767-300 | Qantas

Not quite - the crew seats are in the middle of row 34. You are still subjected to the preflight safety briefing in the OG's, but not the ZX's are the crew seats are right next to the exit.

 

[madrooster]

Not quite - the crew seats are in the middle of row 34. You are still subjected to the preflight safety briefing in the OG's, but not the ZX's are the crew seats are right next to the exit.

Ah, thanks. Interesting - I have only once been subjected to the exit row briefing on the OG's. On the ex-BA's, never.

 

[mannej]

Ah, thanks. Interesting - I have only once been subjected to the exit row briefing on the OG's. On the ex-BA's, never.

Same here.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

I agree you got ripped. But then again maybe the other passwbger had a shadow next to them and it got snaked by some bronze nobody right before boarding.

Status means very little once you're onboard unless the crew know you.

Also keep in mind that the FA was likely not making a descion in whether the guy could sit next to you but rather avoiding any type of conflict.

Shadow stealing is the worst. I'd complain.

 

[mannej]

Shadow stealing is the worst. I'd complain.

Really? What is that going to achieve? Very little if anything. Why bother?

 

[Anna]

I pile personal belongings on the seat next to me, and as soon as the seat belt sign goes off I usually pull down the tray table on it and put my laptop on there

Fine if you're in a row of 2. But if you're in a row of 3 and (say) A and C are occupied with B vacant, then taking over all of B for yourself is DYKWIA behaviour. How do you know it's "your" shadow and not equally the other person's shadow? Share it at least.