It Shows No Class And Yet They Keep Trying!

I used to fly for work — a lot. I was constantly upgraded to business class or first class, or simply upgraded seats using miles. Since this particular flight was a connection for me, I arrived and boarded later than most of the plane. As soon as I walked onto the plane, I saw that someone was sitting in my seat since I had been upgraded. Now, if you fly enough, someone sitting in your seat is not an uncommon occurrence.

Me: “Excuse me, I believe you are in my seat.”

The man didn’t even bother looking up at me; he just waved his hand dismissively at me.

Passenger: “Let’s just switch seats so I can sit beside my wife.”

Me: “Sure! Which is your seat?”

I do not remember exactly what seat number he said now, but it was the last row of the airplane. Aisle seat. Right by the bathroom. Yes, I have had to fly in those seats in the past. And my assigned seat was in the first/business class section. I have switched seats with people innumerable times in my life without a second thought (even first-class seats — the look of someone getting to unexpectedly ride first class is priceless), but the way this guy was behaving and what he was expecting… This was not one of those times.

Me: “No. I am just going to sit in my assigned seat.”

Now he finally looked at me.

Passenger: “Well, I want to sit by my wife, so I am not moving.”

Me: “Well, if you want to sit by your wife, I am sure that whoever is sitting way back there would be more than happy to switch seats way up here so you can sit back there with your wife.”

He didn’t like that at all. What could he really say at that point without sounding like a jerk? He just stared at me.

Me: *Now annoyed* “Move.”

Passenger: “I am not moving.”

DING! Darn right, I pushed the call button.

Flight Attendant: “Yes, sir, how may I help?”

I handed her my ticket and explained that the man was sitting in my seat. She asked for his ticket, checked both tickets, saw his seat number, and, in my mind at least, gave him a look that said, “Seriously?”

Flight Attendant: “Sir, you need to sit in your assigned seat.”

Passenger: “I want to sit beside my wife.”

I wasn’t missing a beat; I parroted my original statement about being sure that whoever was sitting back there beside him would be more than happy to switch seats and sit up here. Boy, oh, boy, that obviously made him angry.

The flight attendant then addressed the man’s wife.

Flight Attendant: “Ma’am, would you like to switch seats so you can sit by your husband?”

Passenger’s Wife: “No.”

So, the attendant continued in that all too familiar flight attendant voice that lets you know you have no choice.

Flight Attendant: “Well, sir, you have to sit in your assigned seat, so please gather your things.”

What a sad and pathetic sight it was seeing this grown man act like a baby, gather his things, and then sulk toward the back of the plane.

Yes, his wife sat beside me on that flight and didn’t join her husband at the back of the plane. No, we didn’t talk to or look at each other even once, which was perfectly fine with me.

Imagine dismissively expecting someone to give up their first/business class seat to sit in the very last row of the airplane by the bathroom.