Had an awkward one today and curious how others deal with this. Short SAN to SFO flight, about 1.5 hours. I was in 7D, aisle, extra legroom, under seat storage. I like that seat because I get anxious and need easy bathroom access, plus I keep meds in my bag at my feet.
Get to my seat and there’s a stuffed animal already there. Mom and kid in middle and window, dad in 8D, another kid in 7C. Dad asks if I can switch with the kid in 7C so they can sit together. He was literally right behind his son, but I try to be nice with families.
I explain 7C doesn’t have under seat storage and I don’t want to put my bag in the bin. They say I can keep my bag under my original seat, so I agree and swap.
Then once I’m settled, dad has the kid in 7D get up and suddenly a different mom with a baby takes that seat. So now I’m stuck in the worse seat and someone else gets the premium one. Felt pretty bamboozled.
I did get my bag back during the flight for meds and kept it between my legs, but the whole thing was just awkward. This isn’t even the first time. Had a similar thing on SFO to Frankfurt where I gave up an economy plus window and ended up wedged between two guys for 11 hours while a family got the whole row.
I want to be kind, but I’m tired of feeling tricked. Do you just say no from the start, even on short flights?
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