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Original poster

To Thank Thomas Cook for clarifying the matter of paying to sit beside your children

294 replies

Groovee · 29/06/2013 02:57

I flew Thomas Cook today to Florida. I paid extra for seats together and got to choose where we were sitting.

We decided to go on last because we had seats and there were near the cabin door. When I got settled a family were not happy that they had 5 single seats. The cabin crew were quite adamant that they could not ask customers who have paid to choose their seats to move.

So last weeks thread is solved GrinGrinGrinGrin

OP posts:
BrianTheMole · 30/06/2013 20:18

I would imagine they would ask the people who hadn't prepaid anyway. It wouldn't be worth the hassle to do anything else.

CharlieUniformNovemberTango · 30/06/2013 20:24

I'm not sure about paying to book seats - this was on a flight where we couldn't do that.

I had asked nicely - honestly.

I'm just shocked at how some people really wouldn't feel concerned about the child being made to sit away from it's parents so you could prove a point about being more organised/perfect/richer then the childs parents.

Ifancyashandy · 30/06/2013 20:28

It's nothing to do with proving a point. For me, it would be about the fact I'd paid to reserve seats with additional leg room. In this instance, my comfort is my priority. Not 'beating' you at a game I would be unaware I was playing.

LtEveDallas · 30/06/2013 20:32

Nothing to do with proving a point. For me it would be the fact that I had paid for selected seats so that I could fly with my DH and my DD - and die with them if necessary.

CharlieUniformNovemberTango · 30/06/2013 20:34

so if I asked if you would mind swapping seats with me, you would check that the seat would be of equal comfort first?

ilovesooty · 30/06/2013 20:35

I wouldn't be proving a point either. If I've paid extra for a specific seat that's my priority. It's the parent's and airline's job to negotiate the comfort and safety of others. In a non prebooked seat I might well be prepared to move depending on the request, the seating and the circumstances.

Ifancyashandy · 30/06/2013 20:36

I'd check if it had the additional leg room as per the seat I had paid to book, yes. If it did, I'd move. If it didn't, I wouldn't.

HomelessAngua · 30/06/2013 20:40

But they cannot control them Brian - please check, Ryan Air are controlled via their own AA, there are reciprocal agreements in place across many countries but their controlling AA is Eira.

Have you checked their guidelines out?

BrianTheMole · 30/06/2013 20:54

Have you checked their guidelines out?

Not personally. My bil works for the caa so tells me all I need to know. If I want to know something aircraft related I just ask him.

Moxiegirl · 30/06/2013 21:04

Of course I would move so someone could sit with their child, as long as I wasn't flying with mine. Ask me nicely though please Grin

crashdoll · 30/06/2013 21:07

So, in a nutshell; some entitled parents don't want to pay extra to ensure the safety of their own "scared, vulnerable" offspring and are basically handing it over to someone else and then stamping their feet when Joe Public isn't jumping out of his pre-paid seat to accommodate your stinginess.

exoticfruits · 30/06/2013 21:10

I certainly would refuse to move for BriantheMole- I would be bolshy and - smile at the flight attendant and say that I didn't mind children. Obviously if he won't pay extra he doesn't mind strange women looking after his DC.

exoticfruits · 30/06/2013 21:11

From the safety point of view I am just as capable of looking after a 3yr old as he is.

NiceTabard · 30/06/2013 21:18

The situation that groovee talks about sounds perfectly reasonable to me. The children are pretty big, and they were next to each other albeit in front / behind.

The situation being discussed on the other thread was a 2 / 3 yo being sat at the other end of the plane to it's carer.

exoticfruits · 30/06/2013 21:23

BriantheMole just says he would leave it to the flight attendant to sort out. They are interested in safety and if I have promised to look after them I am just as safe as BrianTheMole. I would just change seats if he came out and asked me nicely, but if he is going to be entitled and say that he didn't pay but expects seats together then I would be difficult.

CharlieUniformNovemberTango · 30/06/2013 21:23

crashdoll - I don't think it's just about stinginess. In my case we couldn't book seats. Others have mentioned different situations where seating arrangements have been changed etc beyond their control.

You do not know the reason behind them not having a prebooked seat at all.

For me it's been very eye opening to see some of these responses. Parents are judged as stingy, disorganised whatever and that gives a person free reign to disregard the feelings or needs of a small child during a flight?

I honestly don't get it.

It seems like some of these non moving adults are being more childish and stamping their feet in a "but it's miiinnnneee" way.

Yes, wherever possible parents should make the effort to prebook seats but can you honestly say that any parent who hasn't has done so on purpose? I don't think you can. And beyond that, why couldn't you extend some kindness to a small child regardless of what you felt about the parents?

BrianTheMole · 30/06/2013 21:27

Exotic, I'm a she not a he. Not that it matters greatly. But very kind of you to offer to look after my children.

sameoldIggi · 30/06/2013 21:28

Skimmed only, but have seen this thread re-done a zillion times.
Always makes me wonder what a lot of you would be liked if faced with a lifeboat situation. Does money buy you a seat on that too?

crashdoll · 30/06/2013 21:31

If it were a situation beyond your control or you asked nicely, of course I would move but the entitlement of some people...! Several posters have said they refusing to pay for extra so why I should I be out of pocket for them? And it is mine if I bloody paid for it! Do you think people in economy on cheapo airlines are swimming in money. I'd be lying if I said I wouldn't be narked to have to move from my PAID for seat.

BrianTheMole · 30/06/2013 21:31

Does money buy you a seat on that too?

i believe it can do. Depends who you are I guess.

ilovesooty · 30/06/2013 21:32

Several posters here have indicated that they wouldn't pay for prebooked seats in order to guarantee sitting next to their children and those are the ones I wouldn't want to move for - or indeed for someone who seemed to view others moving as an expectation. And I'm sorry: a paid for prebooked seat is mine unless I decide otherwise.

charlottehere · 30/06/2013 21:33

Outrageous, I would refuse to sit separately from my Dcs unless with another adult I knew. Ryan aired tried this with my 3 year old. Angry

exoticfruits · 30/06/2013 21:37

And therefore if I am kind enough to look after your DCs BriantheMole your bluff is called and safety is satisfied - I can list my qualifications if it is doubted. Why not simply ask me nicely?

exoticfruits · 30/06/2013 21:37

You may have to get off Charlotte if everyone refuses to move.

BrianTheMole · 30/06/2013 21:39

I would ask you nicely. And I'd stretch to thank you too.