So I'm flying cross-country (5 hour flight) and I have an aisle bulkhead seat. So, basically, I have the most legroom on the plane other than First Class. I'm also 6'1" so the extra legroom (which I paid for) is nice. Next to me is a child in the middle and an adult man at the window. The confrontation took place during boarding.
EP: Excuse me sir, would you mind switching seats with me so I can sit next to my son?
Me: Possibly. Where is your seat?
EP: Towards the back of the plane.
Me: Eh, I don't know. I paid for the extra legroom. Is it an aisle seat?
EP: No, it's a middle seat.
Me: I'm sorry, but that's not even close to a fair trade. Why don't you see if someone in your row is willing to switch with your son.
EP: ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?! WHAT KIND OF [JERK] WON'T LET A MOTHER SIT WITH HER SON?!?!?!?!
Me: What kind of person expects to trade a middle seat for an aisle seat with 3x the legroom?
EP: YOU ARE TRULY HEARTLESS! I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU WON'T SWITCH WITH ME! YOU ARE A TERRIBLE HUMAN BEING!!
At this point I just turned away and took my seat. She proceeded to march down the aisle complaining to anyone who would listen about the "jerk" in the first row. I then turned to the guy sitting at the window (the kid had headphones in the whole time and was paying no attention to what was happening).
Me: Wow, can you believe that?
Guy: I can, actually. She's my wife! Sorry your had to deal with that.
So, it turned out, the kid was sitting with a parent anyway!!!
Side note: I have no problem switching seats so family or friends can sit together. I'm just not trading a bulkhead aisle seat for a middle seat in regular coach on a 5 hour flight!
EP: Excuse me sir, would you mind switching seats with me so I can sit next to my son?
Me: Possibly. Where is your seat?
EP: Towards the back of the plane.
Me: Eh, I don't know. I paid for the extra legroom. Is it an aisle seat?
EP: No, it's a middle seat.
Me: I'm sorry, but that's not even close to a fair trade. Why don't you see if someone in your row is willing to switch with your son.
EP: ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?! WHAT KIND OF [JERK] WON'T LET A MOTHER SIT WITH HER SON?!?!?!?!
Me: What kind of person expects to trade a middle seat for an aisle seat with 3x the legroom?
EP: YOU ARE TRULY HEARTLESS! I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU WON'T SWITCH WITH ME! YOU ARE A TERRIBLE HUMAN BEING!!
At this point I just turned away and took my seat. She proceeded to march down the aisle complaining to anyone who would listen about the "jerk" in the first row. I then turned to the guy sitting at the window (the kid had headphones in the whole time and was paying no attention to what was happening).
Me: Wow, can you believe that?
Guy: I can, actually. She's my wife! Sorry your had to deal with that.
So, it turned out, the kid was sitting with a parent anyway!!!
Side note: I have no problem switching seats so family or friends can sit together. I'm just not trading a bulkhead aisle seat for a middle seat in regular coach on a 5 hour flight!