Reply #109: I actually understand where she's coming from, [View All]

though I would never do what she did. Some airlines (Northworst) make it very difficult for passengers flying together to book seats together, even if you book months in advance or check in early online. Try getting four seats in a row as a family and you'll know what I mean. The ground crews and flight attendants are often no help--they tell you to "work it out with the other passengers." "Like how?" you say. "It's up to you," they say. Great, right? So here's what we do now: we check in early online, and always get at least one $20 "upgrade" aisle, exit or bulkhead seat we can use as barter, as close to the front of the plane as possible. Then we offer the upgrade seat in trade. sometimes passengers are unwilling to help out--just don't want to move, or whatever--so when that happens we now say: fine. Have fun flying with our two-year-old. here's her stuff, here's the diaper bag, knock yourself out. That usually does the trick.