The Travel Hack to Dodge Seat Squatters: A Debate Ignites
A flight passenger is taking a unique stance on seat squatters by encouraging others to test their luck in hopes of avoiding travelers who rob seats.
In the “r/unitedairlines” forum on Reddit, one user posted a screenshot of a barely-booked flight.
“The seat squatters can’t ruin your flight if you do it to yourself,” the post was captioned.
Securing Low-Value Seats: A Thought-Provoking Strategy
The accompanying photo shows the user selecting a middle seat, hinting that a flyer may be less likely to encounter a seat squatter if they secure a less desirable seat on a plane. It’s akin to navigating a crowded marketplace, where the best treasures are often hidden among the least appealing stalls.
“If the seat map shows the row is empty, I’ll book the window and prevent a seat squatter by sitting in the middle while everybody else boards,” one person commented.
Another user described a similar tactic: “Booking the window seat and an aisle seat, leaving the middle one free. The idea is that nobody will pick the middle seat during check-in.” This approach invites a quiet contemplation about the nature of human behavior in confined spaces, especially on airplanes where proximity often leads to discomfort.
Someone recounted an amusing experience: “LOL, I was once on a flight where my husband was on the window and I got the aisle. The guy next to us offered to switch with one of us. I was like, ‘nah, I’ll see him when I land.'” Such moments paint a vivid picture of the small yet significant decisions passengers make while in transit.
Defining the Seat Squatter: Intentional or Accidental?
One Reddit user aptly defined a seat squatter as “someone who sits in your seat and tries to send you to their, pretty much always, worse seat. They don’t ask. They just take.” The casual theft of space ignites a deeper conversation about personal boundaries in the confined world of air travel.
“I play the window/aisle game when I travel with my wife. No one ever says no to a window/aisle from the middle. However, we don’t care,” another person commented, revealing a nuanced strategy that embraces the unpredictability of flying.
Gary Leff, a Texas-based travel expert and author of “View From the Wing,” shared his insights with Fox News Digital. He points out that most incidents of seat squatting happen accidentally. “When it’s intentional seat squatting, that’s only to get a more desirable seat. I don’t think I’ve seen anyone choose to try to take someone else’s middle seat,” Leff concluded thoughtfully.
Indeed, making a choice between comfort and strategy can feel like a game of chess, with each passenger contemplating their next move. Leff further noted that while opting for less popular seats may reduce the likelihood of encountering squatters, it ultimately results in a less pleasant travel experience.
Open Seats and the Allure of Switcheroos
The Reddit user’s flight appeared to be underbooked, hinting at potential open seats nearby. “So you are a seat squatter then,” one user quipped, highlighting the delicate tension between strategy and social norms in plane etiquette.
“If you are lucky with the flight not being fully booked, you’ll have a higher chance of a free chair between the two of you,” said another sage voice from the forum. This sentiment resonates with many travelers, including a couple who echoed the same sentiment, underscoring the communal nature of flying.
Remote seat-switching policies, however, have changed over time. “You used to be able to take any open seat in your cabin once the doors closed. You might move closer to the front or snag an empty row in the back for some extra space,” Leff noted. Such rules shape the way flyers interact with one another, shifting the dynamics of airborne relationships.
Ultimately, Leff’s advice stands firm: seek assistance from flight crew if a seat squatter disrupts your peace. “You’re generally entitled to the assigned seat on your boarding pass,” he reminds, a gentle nudge towards asserting one’s rightful place in the sky.
