GREENSBORO, N.C. — It's time for My 2 Cents.
Buckle up — there is a seat scandal taking flight on a now-viral video.
Entrepreneur Tammy Nelson explained she boarded her plane, only to find her assigned window seat occupied. Nelson said the woman in it assumed she could be with her children (in the seats next to Nelson's assigned seat) and offered to trade Nelson with her seat in the row behind. When realizing the swap was a middle seat, instead of an equivalent window seat, Nelson declined.
She said the children appeared to be at least pre-teens, and the mother, in her original seat, was within arm's reach of them. So, overwhelmingly, many of the more than 6,700 video commenters thought Nelson was right to hold her ground.
I agree. She paid to reserve a specific window seat. Hypothetically, though, if the children were younger, or if the airline messed up double booking the seat then, OK, it might be nice to switch. Then, ask the airline to make it right — perhaps with points or food vouchers.
Last year (July 2022), the U.S. Dept. of Transportation (DOT) gave a memo to airlines, urging they ensure children 13 and younger sit next to an accompanying at no extra charge. That strong suggestion, however, is not a requirement.
That is why I pay extra for assigned seating when flying with my children, and I try to have a "plan B" in case of flight cancellations and rebookings.
Air travel is stressful. Please know, most moms don't expect special treatment when flying. They probably are just trying to hold it all together. An encouraging smile — or helping hand lifting baggage — is so appreciated.
So, let's all take a deep breath, put ourselves in others' shoes and arrive at our destinations without turbulence.
Sincerely,
Meghann