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AIBU?

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Original poster

Online Check In - seats together with children

354 replies

madmare77 · 23/05/2017 11:09

I'm going on holiday next week. Thomson package holiday with DH, DS (12) and DD (9). Online check in opened today. Logged on at 6.30am and could not check in. I left it until after 9am and still not able to check in.
I called Thompson to query and was told they only allow 70% on people to check in online (God knows what time they got up to do this!).
I told the lady I was concerned as I had children (especially my 9 year old) could I pay to pre book seats and was told no. I'm concerned as it's a 4.5 hour flight and I don't want my kids sat next to any Tom, Dick or Harry.
Are there any airline industry people who can tell me if they will try to seat us together or are we screwed?
Thanks

OP posts:
ivykaty44 · 23/05/2017 21:06

Just contact the airline and ask the policy they have for DC travelling alone, print it out and take it with you.

The airline can't have it both ways....

Roussette · 23/05/2017 21:08

But if we want to pay to be 'entitled' (not the phrase I would use but there you go...) we can choose to do so. It secures a seat for the person who pays, and everyone who chooses not to can do what they want with the remaining seats.

Astro55 · 23/05/2017 21:09

Reminds me of little kids rushing to the front of the line - because the think it's the best spot - when reality is everyone is going anyway

LittleBearPad · 23/05/2017 21:10

There is no reason an airline can't automatically allocate seats at booking to groups travelling with small children or in fact the entire plane. You want a specific seat fine pay extra to get it. Otherwise people travelling together sit together. It's easy for the booking computer to work out and would resolve this entirely.

Roussette · 23/05/2017 21:13

If you say so Astro Hmm

Not how I look at it though and if you're not prepared to pay for a seat, why are you worried if others do, it's not your money

If I choose and pay for a seat, I have a reason

MrsPeelyWaly · 23/05/2017 21:14

Astro you still havent explained the discount you mentioned and I'm sure I'm not the only poster who's all ears.

Raggydolly3 · 23/05/2017 21:14

At the end of the day you can argue it's not right, you can say someone will move and if they don't they are selfish, you can blame the airline, you can even say it's unlawful. When it comes down to it, it may still be you and your kids being sat apart on a flight with people refusing to move for whatever reason.
Yep it should not happen, kids should be sat with parents, provision should be made for all passengers with disabilities and special needs free of charge. But the fact is it does happen and no amount of moaning or complaining on a full flight with people refusing to move will get you anywhere. You will have to either sit apart or get off the flight.
If you want to take the risk it's up to you, again not saying it's right but it is the way it is. Like with so many things in life it's not fair.

Reow · 23/05/2017 21:14

Nobody is talking about rushing to the front of the queue to be on first. That wasn't the point of the thread.

It was about people paying for and booking seats for valid reasons unrelated to having children, and then being expected to move seats by people with children who have not pre-booked to sit together.

ivykaty44 · 23/05/2017 21:14

It's all about greed

You pay twice to sit next to someone as you both pay for seats

Aviation rules, there own rules state DC should be sat neat family etc due to emergency situations for safety for all passrngers

kali110 · 23/05/2017 21:14

Just contact the airline and ask the policy they have for DC travelling alone, print it out and take it with you.
Not rules. They will do their best.
It also does not mean the seat next to, which some people do not seem to understand.
If everybody has already paid for their seats then they're kind of stuck.

The issue is that you are buying into believing your seat is now some how superior to anyone who has paid 'extra' or in some cases - getting a discount
I don't really care, as long as my seat is the one next to my dh.
I'm not shifting out of it.

Astro55 · 23/05/2017 21:15

I'm not worried by what others do - but you are actually adding to the panic - so you can feel like you've picked the best seat -

ivykaty44 · 23/05/2017 21:15

Op has tried to book and pay for seats - BUT can't

It isn't a case if op not wanting to pay she can't pay

ivykaty44 · 23/05/2017 21:17

Is it about following safety rules or money?

Roussette · 23/05/2017 21:19

Eh? I'm not picking the 'best' seat on easyjet! I'm paying for a seat that suits me for whatever reason. No panic on my behalf. I pay it as part of my fare when I book

Now, as far as long haul... yes I have just paid on a bit of a crap plane to have two of the better seats in economy according to seat guru, and I paid £55 each for them. It's a 12 hour flight and I get uncomfortable. Again my choice and no panic involved.

Reow · 23/05/2017 21:20

We've already acknowledge that the OP's situation is an anomaly.

We're discussing the fact that various pp continue to suggest that they should receive the same treatment as thoughts who pay to actually book their seats, and that people should be moved to accommodate them, regardless of them not paying above the minimum non-seat-booking rate. Others of us are saying if you wish to be seated together then book to do so, like the rest of us.

ivykaty44 · 23/05/2017 21:21

www.caa.co.uk/Passengers/On-board/Accessing-special-assistance-on-your-flight/

If you pay to sit by the emergency exit and are disabled the airline will move you, you can't sit there for safety reasons even if you pay

kali110 · 23/05/2017 21:22

Roussette
Me neither!i wouldn't care where i was ( i really don't understand what is considered 'a good seat') but as long as i was with my dh i wouldn't care where on the plane i was.

Roussette · 23/05/2017 21:23

The difference for me is... I wouldn't have the total brass neck to turf people out of the seats they've paid for. I would be embarrassed and mortified and would not put myself in that position.

Before anyone says it's the airlines fault... well, for now, thems the rules and being an awkward cuss and trying to guilt trip people who have paid into moving is not on. Just pay up or take the risk or not being sat together.

Reow · 23/05/2017 21:23

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

MrsPeelyWaly · 23/05/2017 21:23

I'm not worried by what others do - but you are actually adding to the panic - so you can feel like you've picked the best seat

No, its not about picking the best seat. Its about what meets your needs.

And once again Im asking you to elaborate on the discounts you mentioned.

Ylvamoon · 23/05/2017 21:24

I fly budget so not sure if this applies.
Airline "R" will give you a free child and adult seat- so a family of 4 will get 3 free seats allocated at check out, you choose.
Airline "E" will just give you 3 seats allocated at check out, no choice unless you pay.
I'm sure T have a similar system....

MrsPeelyWaly · 23/05/2017 21:24

You're just being a goady dick now Astro

Dont be a spoilsport. Im doing to know about the discounts Astro mentioned.

Reow · 23/05/2017 21:26

A dick discount perhaps?

GaelicSiog · 23/05/2017 21:30

It's not about the best seat. I need a seat next to whoever I'm travelling with and my DD. Those seats can be any on the plane as long as they're together.

theymademejoin · 23/05/2017 21:31

Borders - airlines would love to be able to have most of their extras as opt-outs. In fact, they used to do that as people tend to go with the status quo and accept the default.

For that reason, it is illegal within the EU to present an optional purchase as an opt-out.