Booked my usual exit row for the legroom and show up to find the aircraft was changed and no one told us. Even the flight attendants seemed surprised. Suddenly I’m shoved into a regular window seat and mentally preparing for my knees to hate me.
Told the FAs I was fine as long as I stayed on the plane. I’ve had trips where that didn’t happen, so perspective helps. They said the plane wasn’t full and they might be able to move people around.
Then I notice the new exit row situation is a mess. One row has elderly grandparents and a teenager who clearly preboarded. Another exit row seat goes to a mom with an infant who is understandably panicking when she realizes where she’s sitting. Eventually she and I swap and things calm down.
This is also why I board early in my group. If I had boarded last, all of this would’ve been settled and I’d be stuck in the bad seat. Someone else boarded late and got pushed from near the front all the way to row 38 because his original row no longer existed after the plane swap.
Wild that none of the exit row issues were caught at the gate. I’m always asked the compliance question and wasn’t this time either. Lesson learned. Now I’m checking aircraft type too, not just seat and gate.
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