Latest news with #RosalindaRandall
New York Post
2 days ago
- New York Post
Flight passenger stands firm against entitled seat swapper's demands: ‘I'm not moving'
As summer travel kicks into high gear, the game of musical chairs in the sky shows no signs of slowing down as the seat-swapping trend continues. In the 'r/americanairlines' forum on Reddit, a user titled a post, 'Finally happened to me.' Advertisement The person wrote, 'Maybe I should stop reading about seat swappers … because it finally happened to me. Get in my 2A seat and I tell the woman, 'Hey, before you get settled, I'm at the window.' And she goes, 'Well, my husband and I are apart in separate aisle seats.'' The user continued in the post, 'I go, 'OK, well, I'm not moving, so I hope you figure it out.' She goes, 'Well, it's still business class.' No.' The Reddit poster added, 'To clear this up, I'm on an airbus 2×2. No middle. And it was my seat that I paid for. Moving to an aisle when I booked a window months ago is not the same … otherwise [I] would've obliged,' the flight passenger clarified. The post garnered over 1,000 reactions as people took to the comments section to discuss the issue and share their own encounters with seat swappers on board flights. Advertisement A traveler's Reddit post about seat swapping on airplanes kicked off a debate on the practice. kasto – 'I'm not at all for seat swapping. It's ridiculous,' wrote one user. Another user wrote, 'Returned recently from Munich and the lady across the aisle kept asking me to switch seats so she could sit next to her husband.' Advertisement Another person wrote, 'I mean, there's no harm in asking, but if the answer is 'No,' politely drop it and move on.' 'Unless a person has some sort of illness where their traveling partner needs immediate proximity, there's no point in this,' wrote one user. Many users addressed fellow flyers' need to be near their spouses or family members on planes. 'Why can't grown-ups just suck it up if they are not next to one another for a few hours?' commented one user. Advertisement A Redditor wrote that she and her spouse 'fly often, and sometimes we can't sit next to each other — big deal. We never ask someone to trade seats.' A user admitted, 'I am one of these seat swappers any time I travel with family. We reserve a row and the window and aisle seat … hoping no one gets the middle … If we happen to get a middle [seat]er, we ask them if it's OK if they get the window instead or aisle. Haven't had a complaint yet … Hoping it stays that way.' California-based etiquette expert Rosalinda Randall weighed in on the situation, telling Fox News Digital that 'no one has the obligation to switch their seat.' 'The person making the request has no right to expect [this] or make a scene when they don't get their way,' said Randall. Randall said there may be some circumstances in which it would be a minor inconvenience to switch. 'It's a short flight, you can find a similar seat in another row, or anyone would be an improvement from the passenger [you're currently] sitting next to,' said Randall.
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Airline passenger who 'Finally said no' to seat-swap request receives flurry of support on social media
A Reddit post that went viral spurred debate around seat-swapping on flights and issues of fairness, entitlement and airplane etiquette. The "finally said no" poster in the "r/delta" forum shared their experience with a couple asking to swap seats so they could sit together. Describing themselves as a lifelong "people pleaser," the poster explained they'd often agreed other times. But this time, they weren't interested in giving up their aisle seat for a middle one. I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 5 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast) Nervous about the stock market in 2025? Find out how you can access this $1B private real estate fund (with as little as $10) Here are 3 'must have' items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you? 'I looked at this woman and her husband and simply said, 'no thanks,'' they wrote. 'The look on her face! You would've thought I slapped her.' Despite some initial guilt, the poster maintained their decision as the couple's behavior and comments "steeled my nerves." The woman, on the verge of tears, stated that her trip would be "absolutely awful" without her husband beside her. The story drew significant attention. Commenters applauded the decision and shared similar experiences, suggesting that the couple could have paid for seat selection and that there should be mutual benefit when switching seats. One commenter also wrote, 'If you're brave enough to ask, you have to be brave enough to handle a NO." The post highlights how passengers broadly view personal boundaries on flights. While some view these requests as innocent and situational, others argue they're presumptuous — especially when made without offering a comparable seat or when the seats weren't selected in advance. It's often about asserting personal comfort and agency in a high-stress, confined environment. "The person making the request has no right to expect [this] or make a scene when they don't get their way,' etiquette expert Rosalinda Randall told Fox News. Randall pointed out the circumstances when it might be reasonable or only mildly inconvenient to switch: during a short flight, when there's a comparable seat elsewhere or if you'd prefer to sit apart from your current neighbor. Similarly, a commenter said they would only give up their seat for a person bumped from another flight and consequently split up from their child or someone with special needs. Read more: Trump warns his tariffs will spark a 'disturbance' in America — use this 1 dead-simple move to help shockproof your retirement plans ASAP To avoid the discomfort of being asked to switch seats or feeling pressured to ask someone to switch for you, it's important to plan ahead. Remember, while consumer rights vary by airline, typically, seat assignments aren't guaranteed unless reserved. Here are some tips to get your preferred seating arrangement: Book early. The earlier you book your flight, the better your chances of selecting desirable seats, especially when traveling with others. Use seat selection tools. Most airlines offer online seat maps from which to choose seats during booking or check-in. Join loyalty programs. Frequent flyer status can offer you early seat selection access, preferred seating options or complimentary upgrades. Pay for preferred seats. If sitting together is important, consider the upgrade fee for guaranteed adjacent seats. Despite best efforts, the switching question can still come up. But seat-swapping doesn't have to be tense. Come from a place of humility and understanding. If you're asking, do so politely and, obviously, never with the assumption that someone is obligated to accommodate you. Likewise, if you're asked and feel uncomfortable responding, remember, you're entitled to the seat you booked. Standing your ground and advocating for yourself will bring you peace of mind. You can be kind and respectful yet firm and assertive, without guilt. Short, direct responses are usually best, and you don't owe anyone an explanation. Here are a few polite yet assured things to say: 'No, thank you — I prefer to keep this seat,' is concise and clear. 'I specifically booked this seat,' indicates your choice wasn't random. 'Sorry, but I'm not comfortable switching,' courteously sets a boundary. Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan 'works every single time' to kill debt, get rich in America — and that 'anyone' can do it Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead Cost-of-living in America is still out of control — and prices could keep climbing. Use these 3 'real assets' to protect your wealth today, no matter what Trump does This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
Fox News
28-03-2025
- Fox News
Flight passenger 'finally' rejects seat-swap request, triggers social media debate
The seat-swapping phenomenon has sparked many social media discussions with flyers sharing stories about fellow travelers asking to switch seats. One user appeared to take a stand by sharing an experience in the "r/delta" forum on Reddit. Titled, "Finally said no," the user shares "a couple approached me and asked if I could change seats with one of them so they could sit together." "Guys, I gotta preface my saying I have been a chronic people pleaser all my life and have given up my seat multiple times when flying solo cuz I'm short and I really don't care as long as it's not a truly crap seat," said the post. The user said that after finishing an almost two-week family vacation, "this flight I felt differently…I was ready to just be done," but asked if the seat was an aisle and was told it was a middle. "I looked at this woman and her husband and simply said, 'no thanks'. The look on her face! You would've thought I slapped her," the post continued. The user continued, "She just stammered as I stood up to let her pass and then awkwardly dipped into her middle seat beside me while her husband slunk to his middle seat a row back. I can't say that I didn't feel tremendous guilt at first, but once they were both seated their behavior and comments immediately steeled my nerves." The flight passenger added the woman said "this trip would just be absolutely awful without him [her husband] right next to her" and appeared to be on the verge of tears. The user said they slipped on their "noise-cancelling headphones to drown [the couple] out and took myself a guilt-free nap." Reddit users took to the comments section to discuss the bold request to switch seats, with some sharing their own experiences. "Good job practicing breaking your people pleasing tendencies," commented a user. Another user said, "Mutual benefit is key to asking. Most people don't get that. A former boyfriend of mine traded his first-class seat with a comfort+ aisle so he could sit next to me. Oh, young love. Haha" "People don't seem to understand. If you are brave enough to ask, you have to be brave enough to handle a NO," commented another Redditor. "Never understood that. We all have assigned seats," said one. "If they needed to sit together, they could have paid for seat selection. I don't get why people are upset when others refuse to switch seats," another person commented. "I'm with you! If I paid for the seat, I'm not switching," declared one. "Everyone needs to stick to their guns and maybe eventually people will stop asking others to give up their seats for them," a Redditor said. "I am also a recovering people pleaser and I can tell you I would never swap an aisle for a middle. I paid for the seat, that's where I sit," another person wrote. California-based etiquette expert Rosalinda Randall told Fox News Digital that "no one has the obligation to switch their seat." "The person making the request has no right to expect [this] or make a scene when they don't get their way," said Randall. Randall said there may be some circumstances in which it would be a minor inconvenience to switch. "It's a short flight, you can find a similar seat in another row, or anyone would be an improvement from the passenger [you're currently] sitting next to," said Randall.
Fox News
21-03-2025
- Fox News
Flight passenger says 'entitled' seat swappers should put their money where their mouths are
A social media post has sparked a heated debate over airplane etiquette after a passenger called out fellow flyers for seat swapping, telling them to put their money where their mouths are. In the "r/delta" forum on Reddit, the user captioned the post, "Stop being entitled and sit in the seat you purchased." "I'm so sick of these entitled people nowadays sitting in seats they didn't pay for and the GA [gate agent] having to come onboard and tell them to move or the FA [flight attendant] tell them the same," the user wrote. "Or the people asking you to swap because they didn't purchase seats together. STOP," the post continued. "I don't give a damn who you are, I'm not moving and if you want to sit together or want a better seat, PAY FOR IT," it concluded. Reddit users took to the comments section to discuss seat swapping and their own experiences with the practice. "It's kinda crazy how people do it with no regard," commented one user. "I don't mind being asked to change provided they're willing to accept a 'no,' and the switch doesn't leave me worse off (i.e., aisle to window or middle or back of the plane)," another Redditor said. Another person said some travelers will expect a seat swap if they have children with them on a flight. "And the idiots just taking your seat without asking and then look at you stupid with a lame excuse once you show up," the same person added. "Another airline, but similar thing happened to me," a user commented. "This sort of behavior is a problem everywhere, across all industries and walks of life. People don't even say 'excuse me' anymore," said one user. "I've been on last-minute flights with my husband and had to travel across the US with a long flight and sit in a different row from my husband. Not once did it occur to either one of us to take someone else's seat or ask someone to switch or ask airline personnel to put us together," another person wrote. "I'm sick of it too. I was super stressed one day and showed the person my ticket and I saw theirs. They were sitting in MY aisle seat," added another. California-based etiquette expert Rosalinda Randall told Fox News Digital that "no one has the obligation to switch their seat." "The person making the request has no right to expect [this], or make a scene when they don't get their way," said Randall. Randall said making a polite request to switch seats is OK, though it may frustrate other passengers. She suggested some thoughtful approaches when posing the request. "Consider this: You may have more luck if a flight attendant makes the announcement or can offer to buy them a beverage or two, pay for airline extras, pay them cash/transfer funds," Randall said.
Fox News
03-03-2025
- General
- Fox News
Flight passenger says woman squatted in man's seat before offering to swap near a baby
As flyers see a rise in seat squatters on airplanes, other travelers believe that negotiating a swap is a better alternative to robbing assigned seats. Still, it appears not everyone agrees with swapping, as one Reddit user questioned the "etiquette" behind asking someone to switch seats on a plane. The user posted to the sub-thread r/unitedairlines to share a recent encounter he or she witnessed on a flight. "Just now an older woman sitting next to me moved herself 2 rows up from 14E to 12C next to her adult daughter and grandchild during boarding," the user, who claimed to be flying United Airlines, wrote. "It was announced a full flight so while the seat was empty the family knew someone was coming for it." The passenger who moved up the row, eventually asked the correct passenger to swap seats — giving the "massive dude" the choice to either take an aisle seat next to a baby, or a middle seat. The Reddit user estimated the passenger was 6-feet, 3-inches tall, and noticed that he appeared irritated by the request, but opted for the middle seat. "To me, moving your seat ahead of time and then asking for the swap is really rude, especially when it's a downgrade," the user wrote. "Only thing I can see on the other side of the coin is maybe grandma next to baby avoids crying and a better ride for the plane. Still though, seems like poor behavior to me." The Redditor updated the post, stating that the flight attendants aboard had intervened and apologized to the passenger who swapped seats and even offered him a free snack box and drinks. "Upon landing I think mom felt guilty…She was very loudly talking about how he didn't have to move if he didn't want to but didn't actually directly thank him or show any shame. Very odd person," the user wrote. Fox News Digital reached out to United Airlines and the original Reddit poster for comment. Other users commented on the thread to share their thoughts about seat-swapping etiquette. "When you tolerate a seat-snatcher you are encouraging them to repeat their misbehavior in the future," one Reddit user commented. "I'd be less inclined to swap with someone if they did a "take first, ask later" to me, even if it's a fair swap. Even if it's a small upgrade I might say no. Taking without asking first is inconsiderate and deserves pushback," another person wrote. "Simple answer: there is no etiquette for a seat swap. They should have purchased the seat or shut up," another Redditor commented. California-based etiquette expert Rosalinda Randall previously told Fox News Digital that "no one has the obligation to switch their seat." "The person making the request has no right to expect [this], or make a scene when they don't get their way," Randall said. Randall said that it's OK to request to switch seats if done politely, but the request, no matter how polite, can still frustrate other passengers. "Consider this: You may have more luck if a flight attendant makes the announcement or can offer to buy them a beverage or two, pay for airline extras, pay them cash/transfer funds," she added.
