TIFU by giving away a seat that wasn’t mine.

Submitted by tomfoolery77 t3_11cl9et in tifu

I was taking a flight and went to what I thought was my seat. After some time, someone asked me if I could swap seats with them. “Sure, I said. No problem.” They had kids and wanted to be together. After then sitting in my new seat, it happened yet again that someone asked if I would be willing to change. What are the chances?? Well, somewhat annoyingly this time, I obliged and went to my new row. I was tired and zoned out to some tunes with my headphones and awaited the boarding of the plane. Wellllp, after a bit of time, I noticed some commotion. I was internally rolling my eyes at all the FOOLS that couldn’t read their ticket. After some time, heads started turning to me and I suddenly got really uncomfortable. After people started putting together the string of changes (that was comical, really), I finally looked at my ticket. Turns out, I apparently gave away a seat that was actually the gate (C3). Half of that section all had to get up and jostle everything around and the entire ordeal caused about 10 minutes of a delay getting everyone on the damn plane and in the right seats!! In the end it all worked out but the entire flight, I felt like everyone was pissed at me and giving me eye daggers.

TL;DR: I gave away a seat that wasn’t mine, two times over and it screwed up everyone.

2,252

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iK_550 t1_ja4hz4o wrote

I like this one

762

[deleted] t1_ja5lg61 wrote

[removed]

49

Impossible_One_2319 t1_ja5p249 wrote

Why? I’ll swap for an equal or better seat if people want to sit together. It’s on them for not taking care of that before getting on the plane, but if it’s not an inconvenience (worse seat, away from my carry on, etc.) and I’m traveling alone, I’m ok moving.

68

Loko8765 t1_ja6ps0n wrote

Some people expect more… I had paid extra for a row 1 seat because I wanted not only the extra legroom but also place to work on my laptop, and some guy asks me to move so he can be beside his girlfriend. He wasn’t even polite about it, shoving his face into mine from above. I asked what seat, it was two rows back. When I reply “No” (a complete sentence!) he start stammering “but” with a shocked face like his magic incantation unexpectedly hadn’t worked, until his GF shoved him. GF then sat beside me. No attempt was made to get someone from row 3 to move forward smh.

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Usrname52 t1_ja7oyic wrote

I was on some flight, separated from my husband. Someone asked me to switch because they were separated from their partner, and whatever, there was no reason for me to say no. Turned out they were next to my husband, so we each got to sit with our SO.

15

WorldWideDarts t1_ja7xd6m wrote

Makes it harder to identify remains when you slam into the ground at 500mph and everyone is turned into soup

3

the-one-96 t1_ja5m1fe wrote

And if you do, At least wait until the plane takes off

12

compound515 t1_ja4jm13 wrote

It sounds like a Mr Bean plot

701

5ysmyname t1_ja69l5q wrote

I can just see the annoyed eye rolls. And then when they leave the airport he sees that one car and rams into it

15

kindof-mediocre t1_ja57jy9 wrote

This is why flight attendants ask that you don't swap seats until boarding has finished lol

280

DealerTokes t1_ja3mk8v wrote

Never swap seats

261

vpai924 t1_ja4fp9l wrote

Only on Reddit will someone think that's the takeaway of this story rather than "read your boarding pass correctly".

179

BigWill3o3 t1_ja4h416 wrote

This is why I’m on the app. Oh boy do I love Reddit!

18

Wiggie49 t1_ja5ftxy wrote

Those are not mutually exclusive though lol

3

do0tz t1_ja4lcae wrote

I don't get how they "swapped seats" before boarding the plane.

I can see a verbal, "hey, I'm here, when we get on can we switch?" But literally getting in line at the gate won't change the actual boarding pass they scan.

−23

Orchidlance t1_ja4zh96 wrote

I'm not sure why everyone's downvoting you rather than explaining -- it took me a couple of rereads to understand this part of the story too. Nobody was switching at the gate, they were doing it on the plane as usual. The reason the gate is mentioned is that this flight was leaving from gate C3, but OP misread their boarding pass and thought that C3 was their seat. So that's the one they originally mistakenly gave up, rather than their real seat.

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fs05 t1_ja57j1z wrote

Everyone’s down voting them because OP made literally no kind of indication that seats were swapped before boarding. They totally pulled that out of their ass 😂

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do0tz t1_ja5v4kw wrote

I swear that wasn't in there on the first read through. Everyone commenting at the time I commented were talking about it being at the gate, not ON the plane.

−1

MadScientistCoder t1_ja4pjqs wrote

Nothing wrong with a seat swap. I did it for a guy so he could sit next to his girl. I only swap for similar seats though. I'll never swap my aisle seat for a middle seat.

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uhhh206 t1_ja4tyrb wrote

I've swapped twice: once after being asked to give up an aisle for a middle so a dad could sit with his little boy, and once asking someone else if I could give up a first class seat for coach so I could sit with my husband. I'm well aware how people feel about being asked to switch, so I made sure to begin the request with "would you like to take my first class seat so that..." and she was standing up collecting her things before I could finish my sentence. I'd never ask to switch for something better.

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dissectingAAA t1_ja4whq7 wrote

You might have been the person that switched for me, so I appreciate it!

My family (2 kids 4M/2M) were flying back via Southwest from FL but had a stop off in TX. Families board first on Southwest so we thought we were good. 2 hour layover, but the first flight got delayed so we were running to make connection. Get there and of course only middle seats left. Had to leave my 4M a couple seats behind me and set him up with tablet. Nice man switched so we could sit together. Always remembered that instance of kindness.

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uhhh206 t1_ja4xrbn wrote

That wasn't me, but I'm glad you were able to sit with your boys! I remember how hard it was traveling with my son when he was little -- I can't imagine having to fly with two. How lovely that someone was willing to help. 💖

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club_pengwing t1_ja4ynrh wrote

how come you were in 1st class while your husband was in economy?

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uhhh206 t1_ja50ewf wrote

He bought his ticket separately (he wasn't originally supposed to come with me on the trip, but was able to get the middle seat next to the aisle I'd booked) and didn't have status, but I did. I declined the upgrade when they gave me one but they did it again, so I took it as an opportunity to make someone happy with a surprise upgrade.

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ForTheHordeKT t1_ja53a0i wrote

Yeah, hell nah. The only crossover swap I'd even consider would be a window to aisle or the other way around. The window gives you the view and wall surface to lean against. If anyone is getting up to go to the bathroom then it isn't your problem unless it's you. But the drawback is you have the slowest bathroom exit of all. And if any of the others choose to remain seated rather than stand up and step out into the aisle with you then you get the awkward decision of whether you'd rather wipe your ass across their faces or drag your dick across their noses.

The aisle seat has the extra leg room and bathroom convenience. But it also means the flight attendant is going to be constantly leaning over you for the other two next to you or else you're basically the gatemaster for passing over everything the other two receive. If you have real needy passengers next to you, that can get annoying. You're also definitely going to have to worry about either standing up or remaining seated in the fetal position (but leaning far back into the guy behind you and drawing your legs up lol) as either of the other two squeeze by you.

There's nothing great at all about that goddamn middle seat. You're wedged in between two other fuckers, sitting rigidly ramrod straight. You have no relief in leaning up against the wall, or at least being able to relax up and let your feet drift a ways into the aisle. Etiquette demands that the two fuckers next to you let you have the arm rests at least. It's the one single consolation the middle guy gets. But let's be honest. We all know if you're the middle guy, you're going to have to vie savagely and assert your dominance for both of those arm rests. The rage at being stuck as the god damned middle guy should be sufficient at driving you to stake your rightful arm rest claim. You must give in to the dark side of the force, and show no mercy. For you shall receive no pity, you have nothing anyone wants. Unless someone is desperate enough to be offering you a better seat. There's no way in hell I'd trade into a middle seat unless I was already so damned to begin with. But if I was being offered to trade out of one, I'd be a fucking idiot not to.

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particlemanwavegirl t1_ja5501k wrote

I was in the reverse situation once, me making someone move out of my seat set off a chain event of five people having to shuffle around. It didn't seem like the seats had been given away they were all just scared to confront the person in their seat and acted just as surprised as me at it all unfolded.

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alligatorriot t1_ja5re36 wrote

Hahaha, bless. I would’ve hated to be in your position!

Really though, the swappers shoulda been considered as at fault as you. If people wanted to sit by their kids they shoulda booked it early enough to do so /shrug

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John-ette t1_ja7f34t wrote

I disagree, as someone who always pays for my seat selection and buys tickets well in advance, I have had the airlines change planes and then not seat us together a few times. It is not always the case but you can’t just assume people were being cheap and not picking seats. I have also. Even upgraded a couple times and they automatically moved us to seats not together (despite some being available). The airline systems are not the smartest.

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goshdammitfromimgur t1_ja6fo7c wrote

What can happen is that people pay extra for specific seats and the airline splits up groups that have booked together to accommodate them. Sometimes this is in breach of the airlines own rules about unaccompanied minors.

This isn't necessarily the person booking the tickets fault.

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deva5610 t1_ja6jt2r wrote

>This isn't necessarily the person booking the tickets fault.

Well it kind of is if they didn't book specific seats and waited to see what they got allocated at the airport.

That's a risk you take, especially with low cost airlines. Pay to select the seats you want or risk it for the biscuit and see what you get at the airport and enjoy the cheaper fare.

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TheMelv t1_ja6q7oz wrote

"I'm not seated with my kid, I honestly don't mind but whoever gets stuck next to my toddler might." There's no risk, I never pay extra to sit together, they always just fix it for you. That's a crap policy, honestly. Call their bluff every time and still get stuck sitting next to my own kid for free every flight.

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deva5610 t1_ja6sth0 wrote

>Call their bluff every time and still get stuck sitting next to my own kid for free every flight.

Sure, but that's a gamble you're willing to make.

One day the airline might not have empty seats to swap you around on to, or someone might not be willing to swap and if that happens that's something you (or someone else risking the same outcome) could've prevented by choosing seats.

It's not the airlines fault is my only point.

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dem0n123 t1_ja7uo7a wrote

It is the airlines fault since they are creating a problem out of thin air hoping you'll pay them to fix it.

5

briansaunders t1_ja9e0j5 wrote

Could you imagine booking into a restaurant and not being seated together unless you paid extra

1

laplongejr t1_jacl45g wrote

Tbf some restaurants advertise menu prices that always require an extra. But you know, that's called fraud.

1

laplongejr t1_jacl1g4 wrote

> and if that happens that's something you (or someone else risking the same outcome) could've prevented by choosing seats.

If that happens that's something the airline could have prevented by either not making it an extra option, or forcing the increased price to parents.

Advertising the low price, but expecting parents to ALWAYS pay extra "for the benefit of everybody else" is entirely the airline fault.

> It's not the airlines fault is my only point.

"I don't make the rules, ma'am. I just think them up and write them down."

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deva5610 t1_jaco61l wrote

>Advertising the low price, but expecting parents to ALWAYS pay extra "for the benefit of everybody else" is entirely the airline fault.

No, because in this case we've been talking about the parents complaining about being away from their little sprogs, not about who might get stuck beside them. So in this case the fee is for their benefit.

If they choose not to pay then that is entirely on them.

1

Csherman92 t1_ja7jypi wrote

That sounds like a personal problem. If you want to sit next to your kid—pay for it. I paid extra for my husband and I to sit together on our honeymoon. No sympathy for the parent who isn’t sitting with their kid. Unless an emergency happens and they get jumbled around.

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TheMelv t1_ja7qmx9 wrote

Except I don't have a problem. I honestly wouldn't mind sitting apart but I'm not a selfish monster and assume it's better for the people that get stuck next to a whiny kid the whole flight so I inform them at the gate.

It's a cash grab for the airlines.

1

Csherman92 t1_ja7x6ed wrote

I’m inclined to agree with you—but if I wanted an aisle seat/window and you didn’t pay for it and I did, I’d be pissed off if you asked, although if I am traveling by myself, I probably would switch. I’m not a selfish monster either, but if I pay extra for my seat and you don’t, well you shouldn’t be upset when someone doesn’t want to move.

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TheMelv t1_ja8038c wrote

Yeah I would never ask anyone to switch their end seat for a middle and I would almost definitely decline if someone wanted me to switch from an end to a middle seat.

I rarely ask to switch seats personally myself, I meant I inform the airline agent and they switch things around on the computer.

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Adobe_Flesh t1_jabnot8 wrote

A race to the bottom and people defend it

1

Csherman92 t1_jac1yab wrote

It’s just the principle of thing. If I have to pay more to be accommodated so should you . I do find it ridiculous that we have to pay to sit next to someone. It’s ridiculous

1

laplongejr t1_jackcd6 wrote

>That sounds like a personal problem.

Their point is that as long the kid is fine, it is NOT a problem for the parent, but for whoever ends next to the child if he misbehaves. The airline is saying "if you don't pay, we'll force you to put your misbehaving child somewhere we won't let you control him"... but "parent has to handle the child" is a benefit for everybody in the airplane which is NOT the child of the parent, so it's everything BUT a personal problem.

Basically if you pay the airline, you can still end next to the child of somebody who didn't pay extra. It's the "reverse protection" system that you can also see with Certificate Authorities : you pay to provide an advantage to another party, yet it is advertised as receiving said advantage. It only works if EVERYBODY pays extra, else nobody gets the benefit of having no misbehaving child.

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Csherman92 t1_jad21x8 wrote

It's selfish and entitled. Poor planning on her planning doesn't constitute and emergency on anyone else. That's the point.

I hate entitled people, and this is the definition of it.

1

laplongejr t1_jad4jpl wrote

> It's selfish and entitled.

Yeah, sure.

> Poor planning on her planning doesn't constitute and emergency on anyone else. That's the point.

Except that in this case, the situation from the airline creates an emergency for everybody else but the bad parent. It literally punishes good parents and rewards bad parenting.

> I hate entitled people, and this is the definition of it.

Yeah and the airline asks extra payment for parents who don't feel entitled. We always go back to the airline for considering that normal.

1

Chevaboogaloo t1_ja7bc6t wrote

I always check in early online but last time we flew the airline wouldn't let me. We had to check in once we were at the airport. So we couldn't pick our seats and they split us up.

4

Distorted_Penguin t1_ja5ri0s wrote

The FU is really one the two people trying to swap seats before boarding is complete.

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snausagesinablanket t1_ja58ulk wrote

At least you arent the person that farted so bad they thought the plane had a gas leak and had to land.

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EV-CPO t1_ja8250z wrote

I did that on the dance floor of a small concert in NYC once. Everyone was jammed in tight in the first 5 'rows', but there was still room to dance a little. There was no way for me to exit the crowded dance floor in time, so I just let it rip. And of course nobody could hear it over the music. When it started to spread like over the crowd like napalm, I just looked around puzzled and annoyed just like everyone else was doing. Luckily after about 5 minutes it dissipated. Not my proudest moment, but I really had no choice. :)

​

edit: This could be a TIFU, but it was 15 years ago. ;)

3

Bubbly-Butterfly-724 t1_ja4olc0 wrote

Hihi. It was pretty funny to read about though. Especially the part of being annoyed by people not being able to read their ticket.

Guess you won’t be so annoyed about that next time😅

Thanks for sharing, this was entertaining to read, happy nobody got SO upset that it was one of those inflight rages❤️

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CassiaPrior t1_ja47ws1 wrote

This is super comical, ngl. XD

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tennyson77 t1_ja7e8d1 wrote

I had one seat stolen from me by a couple that wanted to sit together. Thing is, I paid for that seat, and they didn’t even ask. If they had asked nicely I probably would have considered if, but I thought they were jerks for just taking it and telling me to move. I told myself next time I wouldn’t move no matter what. If someone wants to sit together then they can pay to be together. It’s not my issue that you didn’t want to pay to be next to your partner or your kid.

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megajamie t1_ja815z9 wrote

A few years ago I got to my seat to find someone in it and they had the aisle seat on the other side.

Probably honest mistake I thought when they said and they were already settled so I got settled in theirs.

Plugged my phone into the usb and it wasn't working and noticed hers has been in the usb the whole time, probably noticed before take off and then swapped so she could charge.

Not the end of the world, but was banking on the full charge I'd get from the flight.

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sethbr t1_jabqlob wrote

That's when you call the FA and get a bunch of free miles (or drinks) for the USB not working.

2

YoggyYog t1_ja54q7j wrote

If your actions actually delayed the flight, you will have literally costed the airline tens of thousands of dollar-y-doo’s 😂😂

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bad_things_ive_done t1_ja67o99 wrote

And possibly caused people to miss connections.

I'd be rageful if I missed a connection because of bs like this

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YoggyYog t1_ja6whmk wrote

Tbh it is quite an innocent mistake

1

bad_things_ive_done t1_ja76jxf wrote

No, it's failing basic comprehension, bending the rules because you want some random person who couldn't or didn't bother to plan ahead to like you, and as a result possibly screwing over a shit ton of other people.

−1

YoggyYog t1_ja79nhe wrote

This sounds like it’s pretty personal for you…

2

Efeu t1_ja7dcq7 wrote

Nobody misses connections for a tiny delay of 10 minutes at the start. The pilots can catch up with that easily during the flight.

0

bad_things_ive_done t1_ja9bqgh wrote

  1. idiocy like this causes "tiny" delay pulling back from gate
  2. that delay means lose place in line for take off, delay magnifies
  3. delay on arrival means possible longer delay if bumped on landing
  4. arrival gate could charge or be delayed further

Can result easily in 30-45 min delay to try to make a connection meant to be an hour to make, if a large airport or terminal change, bam, you've missed your connection

2

kevin_k t1_ja52ef4 wrote

Never reward the gamble of the parents (or anyone) who don't want to pay for seats together and are counting on guilting someone out of their seat.

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goshdammitfromimgur t1_ja6fxn6 wrote

If you book together by default you should sit together. Airlines splitting up.booking is the problem.

Sometimes they do it in breach of their own unaccompanied children policy. Anything for a buck, fuck them.

10

Kurbitsims t1_ja6sb30 wrote

I booked a vacation for me and my family a couple of weeks ago and it wasn’t even possible to book seats on the flight.

3

kevin_k t1_ja800au wrote

> If you book together by default you should sit together.

Agreed, if it's available. And you should be informed whether it is or not at booking time.

2

PaperXenomorphBag t1_ja7n213 wrote

Well mofuckers should stop asking to swap otherwise the guy wouldve approached you and said hey, your in my seat, and be done with it. So fuck that, its everyone elses fault, not just yours.

10

GoblinCat669 t1_ja6jxwr wrote

Really could’ve been avoided if people just sit in their assigned fucking seats. I have some nasty flight anxiety but I put my big girl panties on and deal with my assigned seat even if it’s not next to my partner.

5

_pc_-_-_ t1_ja6xri5 wrote

Doesn't 'big boy pants' convert to 'big girl pants'?

Cuz your words sounds like you were trying to seduce someone on that flight.

−1

GoblinCat669 t1_ja7zdun wrote

You got me questioning this saying. I do hear people tell boys to put their “big boy pants” on but more often girls get told to put their “big girl panties” on…

0

S-Quidmonster t1_ja7b6y8 wrote

> Gave away a seat that was actually the gate (C3)

What does this mean? I am confused

5

TwoManyHorn2 t1_ja7f20z wrote

Presumably, he read his ticket wrong and C3 was the gate number but he thought it was his seat number.

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tiredofyourshit99 t1_ja5x8pb wrote

“We’ll don’t ask for favors on a flight, you might just get one” to all the people who don’t want to pay enough to be seated together but want favors from strangers to sit together..

4

spock_9519 t1_ja8pbds wrote

I never swap seats
"Lack of planning on your part doesn't necessarily constitute an emergency on my part "

—Anonymous

3

Zer0jade t1_ja5xe7n wrote

LoL and that's why I neeeever switch if someone asks me unless I get upgraded

2

novashocker t1_ja6g1kq wrote

Musical chairs it is then if you add curb your enthusiasm audio to this..

2

ayrtz111 t1_ja5nmew wrote

Chaotic good.

1

Nash_Michaels t1_ja6beak wrote

Trust me , had this been a planned mess , you sir would have pulled off a genius one. But it is a good lesson for people , be careful with your seats , 😜

1

redecided t1_ja6fe9o wrote

This made me chuckle.

1

JanelldwLowrance t1_ja4qo04 wrote

This is why I don’t give up my seats. Fuck that pick the seat you want in the brining when you buy the tickets.

−5

CazRaX t1_ja4y1nc wrote

Dunno why the downvotes, I agree, want a specific seat then buck up and pay for it. It's something that should be free but until it is I will pick mine and I ain't movin.

8

magicman2681 t1_ja5aowp wrote

Nice guys finish last

−8

chikinroru t1_ja61ydk wrote

oop I think you upset one of those guys :'(

−2

whlthingofcandybeans t1_ja62678 wrote

Ugh, obnoxious breeders trying to get their families together at the last minute because they were too cheap to pay for seats are the worst.

−11

narrulz t1_ja4w1mp wrote

I'm ngl you lost me I've never been on a plane or anything

−23

Cohibaluxe t1_ja50c9h wrote

Boarding passes (plane ticket) list both the gate and your assigned seat. In this case, it was probably a larger airport with multiple terminals labeled A, B, C, etc., so the plane was at gate 3 in terminal C (hence; gate C3). This was confused with the seat assignment, which is always labeled A, B, C, etc. (for the row) and 1, 2, 3, etc. (for the column). Seat map example

Here’s an example of a boarding pass, notice the gate number on the left and seat number on the right, both in the same letter-number format

8

TwopintsyaPrick t1_ja4wkef wrote

gif

5

narrulz t1_ja4y7ft wrote

I just don't understand the seating thing and about the gate number or whatever

−12

LogiHiminn t1_ja54w45 wrote

So gates are usually numbered by a terminal (A, B, C, etc) and a gate (1 - xx). So his gate was C3, the door through which he got on the plane. Seats in a plane are numbered by row (1 - xx), then a letter designating which seat across (A, B… usually to F or I, depending on the size of the plane). Both designators are on your ticket. He mistook his gate, C3 as being his seat, 3C.

3

narrulz t1_ja550dh wrote

Oh ok i see how that could be confusing thank you

2

narrulz t1_ja4ztqe wrote

Ah yes reddit where i get down voted for never being on a plane

−13

alice_op t1_ja50te6 wrote

Only on Reddit, where people think they have to comment when they're unfamiliar with a situation.

Not every post has to apply to you directly my guy

19

narrulz t1_ja532bu wrote

I don't understand the part where it says that he had a seat for gate c3 and i just stated that i had never been on a plane so i didn't know what they meant sorry that i don't know how a plane works

2

narrulz t1_ja543vs wrote

Googled it and i understand now sorry for the inconveniences

1

narrulz t1_ja52hyj wrote

Didn't want it too just wanted to be able to understand better don't care how it applies to me

0

alice_op t1_ja53zw2 wrote

Oh, OK. So what this guy did is he misread his ticket

The ticket says: Gate Number C3.

This is where the plane arrives, and where you board.

The plane ticket says: Seat Number: A7.

What he did was, he sat in seat C3, instead of A7, and when someone wanted to sit in his seat (C3) he gave it away and sat in their sear (G24). Someone else wanted to swap his new seat, G24, for their seat, F12. He sits in F12.

He notices a commotion around area C3, the original seat he sat in and gave away. Someone's boarded the plane, and tried to sit in their seat, C3. The person sat in it argues, no, I swapped my seat for this seat. This guy shows them his ticket, this is HIS seat!! The guy sat in C3 tries to locate the man he swapped with, but he's no longer in the seat he gave him! They finally locate him and point out that he's an idiot, he sat in the gate number, not his actual seat.

:)

2

special_kitty t1_ja50xls wrote

Some background, so it's common for planes to have 6 seats/row with an aisle in between. Three on one side and three on another. Also, the aisle is so narrow, it's pretty much single file. Airlines use a dumbass system where it costs money if you want to select your own seat, so if you don't pay, you are randomly scattered around the plane at any open seat. It's common for families to let the chips fall where they lie and when the family gets separated, they ask to swap so they can all sit together.

1

do0tz t1_ja4kzs1 wrote

So you weren't even on the plane yet? How did "seats swap"?

−39

madmansoup t1_ja4nc84 wrote

Reading comprehension

24

do0tz t1_ja5v78l wrote

I swear that wasn't in there on the first read through. Everyone commenting at the time I commented were talking about it being at the gate, not ON the plane.

−1

Great_White_Sharky t1_ja4xo00 wrote

The entire story takes place on a plane, what part of the text makes you believe otherwise?

8

nautika t1_ja54s06 wrote

The mention of the gate lost them.

2

do0tz t1_ja5v5h6 wrote

I swear that wasn't in there on the first read through. Everyone commenting at the time I commented were talking about it being at the gate, not ON the plane.

0