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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Aisle Seat

66 replies

TheMonkeyWhale · 13/10/2019 15:18

AIBU to think you don’t insist on having the aisle seat on transport just to then “fake” sleep and have a huff every time someone sitting besides you needs to get out?

OP posts:
CormacMcLaggen · 13/10/2019 16:28

they’ve just put the table down and put their head on it with the head phones in

Fucking hell! That's really rude, OP. I feel for you :(

Original poster
TheMonkeyWhale · 13/10/2019 16:28

And sorry didn’t realise the had recently been discussed!

OP posts:
CormacMcLaggen · 13/10/2019 16:29

I'd probably stop drinking 24 hours before takeoff to ensure I didn't need the bathroom whilst on there

That would trigger a migraine and UTI for me.

Agedtoperfection · 13/10/2019 16:30

Wake them up and tell them you want your seat back. I always take an aisle seat, I’d much rather let someone out 100 times than be feel all hemmed in at the window

sonjadog · 13/10/2019 16:33

I would never give up the aisle seat for exactly this reason.

dreichsky · 13/10/2019 16:34

I think if I were going on a longer flight than a few hours, I'd probably stop drinking 24 hours before takeoff to ensure I didn't need the bathroom whilst on there

My MIL tried this, her migraine lasted days. Thankfully she has stopped doing this and now drinks and uses bathroom.

Pandaintheporridge · 13/10/2019 16:35

I think a "TBH I prefer the aisle as I need to get up regularly" would have helped. Then if they still "beg" at least they know what they are getting into.

FreyaMountstuart · 13/10/2019 16:36

I always book the aisle seat (and within 6 of an exit) - I also drink loads of water and get up a lot - can’t think of any circumstances where I would give it up!!

dreichsky · 13/10/2019 16:36

OP, gently poke them and explain that due to a medical condition you have to get up once an hour so you will be asking them to get up then.

melj1213 · 13/10/2019 16:36

What exactly is "fake sleep"? Do you just mean closing their eyes?

When I travel I usually listen to podcasts or audio books and tend to close my eyes as it helps me concentrate. I'm not "pretending to sleep", I just have my eyes closed though sometimes I do drift off bc travel days always tire me out

Also, did you actually tell the guy whe you swapped that you would need to get up frequently? I am tall so if I cant prebook extra leg room seats then I prefer the aisle seat for long flights as I can stretch out a bit, so if I was in a window/middle seat I would ask a seat mate if they minded swapping, but if they said no or said they would be getting up a lot then I'd rather stay in my own seat. If they swapped seats but then kept getting up very regularly then I'd be annoyed and ask to swap back.

minimomtogiants · 13/10/2019 16:41

well they could always... close the blind, or wear an eyemask.... hmm

That's another issue - does the person with the window seat get to choose if the blind is up or down or do the others get a say?

ThatMuppetShow · 13/10/2019 16:42

Genuinely out of interest, why else would they think an aisle seat was best for them if not to be frequently getting up?

non applicable here - some female posters feel unsafe next to a man if they have a window seat apparently.

I have tried to stick with one side after busting my knee and it was getting very painful not to extend my leg.

I am sure there are plenty other reasons.

AlexaAmbidextra · 13/10/2019 16:42

You say "fake sleep" but it could be that they have a migraine and want to rest their eyes. Hence not wanting the window seat with the light streaming in

I never cease to be amused on here at the mental contortions some posters perform just to argue with the OP. 😂

ThatMuppetShow · 13/10/2019 16:43

I think if I were going on a longer flight than a few hours, I'd probably stop drinking 24 hours before takeoff to ensure I didn't need the bathroom whilst on there

WHY would anyone do that?!? Confused

ThatMuppetShow · 13/10/2019 16:44

I never cease to be amused on here at the mental contortions some posters perform just to argue with the OP. Hmm

sometimes, but in this case they are right. Some people prefer the aisle seat, it doesn't mean they are not allowed to close their eyes, migraine being as good a reason as any.

Sunshine93 · 13/10/2019 16:46

migraine being as good a reason as any

Not as good a reason as the OPs MS.

You shouldn't feel bad but next time explain to a perso. Why you need the aisle seat and that you are likely to be up a lot.

ASharkAteIt · 13/10/2019 16:46

@TheMonkeyWhale

I also have MS and always book an aisle seat at the front or back so I can easily go to the loo.

Once on a flight a young woman was sat in the middle seat, her friend in the aisle seat in the row opposite. She asked to swap and I said sorry but no, I need an aisle seat.

I book aisle for a reason, if they wanted to sit together they should have booked seats together.

Don't feel bad. Next time say no to swapping.

Sunshine93 · 13/10/2019 16:46

Sorry I don't necessarily mean exactly "why" if you don't want to share you could say something like."i have a medical reason I may need to be out of my seat a few times."

Vulpine · 13/10/2019 16:46

Op youre allowed to discuss anything you like numerous times. Doesn't matter if its been done before. I haven't seen it on mumsnet. And no - one should not be a grumpy twat if sat in the aisle seat.

CormacMcLaggen · 13/10/2019 16:48

WhatMuppetShow thank you :) I was wondering about anxiety issues and having an easier exit, etc. Makes total sense.

Still, putting their table down and sleeping (real or otherwise) seems inconsiderate, especially when you've been kind enough to swap a designated booked seat, OP.

ucfo · 13/10/2019 16:54

I was originally in the aisle seat but then they begged for it so I moved. However I have MS and need to pee every hour and now I’m feeling bad.

I think you should have told him that you had a medical condition which means you would need to use the toilet very frequently. No need to say it's MS. If he had then persisted in pushing you to give up the seat you could have called over a flight attendant. Maybe someone else could have swapped with him.
If you're needing to get up every hour then that probably is annoying for him so that'll be why he is huffing and puffing. He wouldn't have expected it to be that often. But I think he sounds like a right dick actually - pushing his weight around and then making a fuss about you going out to the toilet.

You maybe need to think of a strategy should this happen again - what you would say etc.

Boysey45 · 13/10/2019 16:55

Just ask for your seat back on the aisle OP and if they start carrying on and not wanting to move then get a member of the flight team to move him.He cant have it both ways.

Agedtoperfection · 13/10/2019 17:03

Once on a flight a young woman was sat in the middle seat, her friend in the aisle seat in the row opposite. She asked to swap and I said sorry but no, I need an aisle seat.

I’m all for keeping my aisle seat but surely in this instance she meant swap aisle seats with her friend meaning you would still have an aisle seat.
An aisle for an aisle

GabsAlot · 13/10/2019 17:06

Erm you cant just not drink Which for 24 hours so you dont pee-how ridiculous

Op did u explain you would be getting up a lot so prob not a good idea

Aridane · 13/10/2019 17:06

Genuinely out of interest, why else would they think an aisle seat was best for them if not to be frequently getting up?

Less claustrophobic

More leg room

Can see more