An American Airlines passenger helped herself to a first class seat but was asked to move back to economy. Then another passenger was upgraded to the seat.
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The Video
A woman recorded herself interacting with a manager from American Airlines on the jetbridge outside her flight as she was asked to speak with him off the aircraft. Watch the video below, details to follow.
The claim was that she took a seat that was still for sale at a discount at check-in but went unsold. As the seat was empty, she moved to that seat before being asked to return to her seat in economy at 14A. Another passenger, purportedly “white” was then given the seat in first class. Flight attendants alerted the pilot to a disruption, the door to the plane was reopened where the woman in the video was asked to speak to the manager on the jetbridge.
She recorded the interaction which was helpful because it is all clearly explained and the staff did what they were supposed to do. It’s important to note that as she was not asked to retrieve her bag and the door had not been closed again, this was just to explain the process and not to remove her from the aircraft. In fact, the manager then asked if she would like to continue the flight at which point she said she was “uncomfortable” and did not want to continue the journey on that aircraft.
Why Wasn’t She Allowed To Take The Seat When Others Were?
There are a number of reasons passengers are not allowed to switch seats once onboard. One of them is weight and balance. Without getting into the details, for take-off, the aircraft can be at risk of a tail strike if the aircraft is too heavily weighted in one area of the plane over another. Another reason guests are not allowed to switch seats is that the airline charges for certain seats on a plane. If a passenger paid for an economy plus seat, and another passenger simply sits in an empty one, that’s not fair to the passenger who paid. Also, if they move to an exit row, they may not have been there for the briefing and haven’t consented to the responsibilities therein.
But Why Did Someone Else Get The Seat For Free?
As the manager pointed out, airlines have elite status and prioritize upgrades according to that list. The passenger claimed that she took more than 25 flights so far this year which likely would have qualified her for status on a number of carriers, including American (depending on how much she spent on those flights.)
That said, the prioritization of that list will put those flying the most at the top of the list in descending order. If she had the highest status, she would have been given the seat issued by the manager at the gate and could have been moved onboard much as the other passenger was. This has happened to me several times. However, the fact that she didn’t know what “status” was in regards to the airline suggests that she is not a member of their frequent flyer program, and thus, even if she had flown 100 flights, only members are eligible for upgrades.
Claiming That ‘White People’ Were Upgraded Ahead Of Her
In the latter portion of the video she makes a claim out of misunderstanding. Without knowing about elite status and the upgrade list (which the manager tried to explain but is talked over) the picture painted seems unfair, and possibly racist, or classist (“that’s what you get for profiling again.”)
Reality paints a different picture. The person upgraded was on the upgrade list and was next in line. It was their seat to in accordance with the rules and procedures of American Airlines. Had the passenger been next on the upgrade list, they still would have been wrong for taking the seat before a new boarding pass was issued, but there was no racial determination made as to who gets the seat.
Conclusion
A black passenger without an understanding of the upgrade list, elite status, and airline loyalty programs helped herself to a vacant first class seat. She was sent back to economy, and then a white passenger who qualified for the upgrade was given the seat. The woman who upgraded herself was addressed by management who attempted to explain the process, but the original poster/passenger failed to accept the explanation and elected not to continue the flight.
What do you think?
Image credit: American Voices/Daily Caller
This is what decades of enabling a victim complex via grievance politics and indoctrination give you.
So true!
Very sick woman looking for a discrimination suit ban her from AA in the future all done on purpose
You are so wrong Mark. If discrimination plays a part of your every day life it’s easy to go there. Of course you could never understand that because I m certain that it never happens to you. It was an innocent mistake. She was probably uncomfortable when she realized she made a mistake with her accusation. That’s more than likely the reason she wanted another flight. From your post I’m going to assume that you are a racist and worse than that are willing to sue anyone at anytime for anything you can get. People generally make assumptions about others based on their behaviors and desires.
Signed
Black Woman who works for one of the Big Three Airlines
Josie,
Lots of assumptions in your post….similar to the same toxic assumptions this poor woman made initially. So she makes the wrong assumption that she was a victim and instead of acknowledging that and getting back on board she doubles down on her victimhood causing her even more problems……. So none of her situation was caused by her actions it was “society’s fault” she was called out for self upgrading? Eyeroll (from a Gay POC no less).
All the race baiters need to give it a rest. As a person of color myself, I am apalled by people throwing out the race card anytime they feel entitled to something. Racism does exist and nonsense like this actually hurts the people who suffer true acts of racism. It makes people less likely to see real racism when people are whining nonstop about every perceived slight. If this were a white lady and a black flight attendant the story would have been how the entitled white lady was hassling the white flight attendant. Sad.
This is soooooo very true!
Yep.
This is another example of racism. Black peoples cannot be racist and should be allowed to sit wherever they want because they discovered America
HaHa! she was kicked OUT!
It seemed like she kicked herself off the flight.
PLEASE…… she had the choice to go back to her seat, she chose not to and said she wanted another flight. No one made that decision but herself. Oh please…. poor me I use my color to make me look victim ….. I am so flippin tired of hearing & seeing this BS & self righteous it’s all about me……. grow up act like an adult. Also if you have Flown 25 times already at that point you should have know about the airline frequent flyer program……grow up
If she doesn’t know what status is, I imagine she isn’t even enrolled in AAdvantage so it doesn’t even matter that she’s flown 25 times this year.
For many the only reason for any thing is “raceism”
“ There are a number of reasons passengers are not allowed to switch seats once onboard. One of them is weight and balance. ”
Unless passengers were assigned specific seats based on their weight this is completely nonsense.
No it is not nonsense…the airlines have a weight and balance considering all passengers at 180lbs. If 180lbs is figured for the back of the plane and then that 180lbs moved then that would put the plane off balance. It really is important that the center of gravity is correct.
Then how does Southwest allow people to just sit anywhere, of the balance has to be so tightly controlled?
Also will the plane flip over if there is too much weight in the overhead bins?
I have been in several Southwest flights where they have asked people boarding to sit in a specific section of the plane to help balance it out. To many up front or in back and they make an announcement to please find a seat in the other section.
With respect, you’re exhibiting your complete ignorance of aeronautics.
An airplane need to be balanced, within an acceptable range which is defined by the manufacturer, around its longitudinal center of gravity. Planes are designed to be within those CG limits under many common loading conditions. But if you’re ever on a flight with a lot of empty seats, they may ask some of all passengers to sit in a particular area to keep the CG where it needs to be. This tends to be less of an issue as airplanes get larger, mainly because they are often able to solve CG problems with cargo positioning.
A plane which has a CG that’s too far aft will be more difficult to control and more likely to suffer a tail strike on landing. Too far forward and the control issues can be even more serious. And regardless of any of that, it’s illegal to operate an aircraft out of the legal CG range.
I’ve been in flights where passengers have had to move for weight and balance reasons probably half a dozen times over the years. It doesn’t happen often but it happens.
Fun fact: the last FAA-approved average weight was 190 pounds per passenger, but they no longer publish a number. Instead, airlines have to use data published by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to determine average weights.
Either fly more or learn to use Google
https://viewfromthewing.com/caught-on-camera-the-moment-jetblues-a321-tipped-back-at-jfk/
Each passenger/bag is counted and given an “average” weight and calculated into the appropriate section of the aircraft. Those calculations are used for take off/landing settings and fuel.
That is definitely a reason people are assigned to seats. I have been on a number of planes where people were moved, in a seemingly nonsensical way, due to the need for weight and balance. Likewise, I have been on planes where people were NOT allowed to move for the same reason. The reason, in both instances, has been explained. This happened often during Covid when planes were not full and people were generally allowed to move around within their section.
You are completely correct. Most aircraft these days with lightweight seats (and more seats than ever before) plus smaller galleys/lavs/no closets/other cabin monuments are very susceptible to center of gravity issues with light passenger loads. Let’s say you have a LCC B737 with no aft galley, a perhaps larger single galley up front, and few passengers then you’ve got to put most of them in the back.
Just because you fail to understand it dies not make it wrong. Just out of your ability to comprehend it.
Unless you’re the Ghettopottamus Congresswoman Shiela Jackson Lee (D-TX) that had a white passenger bumped from a confirmed UA Polaris seat.
Blacks can be Karens too.
As a Black female. I concur.
Love the comment. Can we say it louder for the people in back? LOL
All women eventually become Karens. Especially those raised in the usa
Generalizations like that usually come from uneducated people, Sir. Some people may be given to persecution complexes. Some simply think they’re entitled. Others still are looking for offense to claim. But saying all women act like this one is incorrect.
‘All women eventually become Karens. Especially those raised in the USA’
Well what an idiotic statement you made—-you must be a total loser & probably lacking in education. So Chad you could also be a Karen someday—give it a try & see how YOU like it! If you can’t say anything nice then shut your trap!
No Demarcus, Black females are LaTishas and Black males are LeBrons.
Santastico, weight is assigned based on population averages, eg average toddler weight, average teenager weight etc… in order to calculate weight distribution. So the only nonsense being spouted here is your mouth jizz
Just like the little boy who cried wolf so much that after a while it is just noise. She puts legitimate complaints in the “just noise” category. If she looked around she would see ordinary passengers in the same area she is. This was not a discrimination incident. She should apologize for jumping to “Play her race card”. Shame on you girl.
Agree…. I’m so sick of the race card being played! Things won’t get better until we all act better!
What a moron
December 27, 2017
https://liveandletsfly.com/shiela-jackson-lee-bump/
In fact, a white person taking the same actions would have been quickly booted off that aircraft. They NEVER open the door to deal with a complainer unless it is to remove them.
I think airlines are starting to realize the power of social media and how social media and the regular media can turn someone who was clearly in the wrong into the victim. I think the manager, flight attendants and pilots all handled this situation correctly. They didn’t go on a power trip which is probably what she was hoping for.a She was probably hoping someone would escalate things which is why she was recording the entire situation. And when that didn’t happened and the manager said would you like to continue on this flight she then states “I’m uncomfortable continuing on this particular plane”. What that means is her plan didn’t work and she didn’t want to get back on that airplane only to have all these people staring at her. This is how situations on aircraft should be dealt with employees from all departments have to keep their cool, you absolutely must handle the situation but you don’t have to reach the intensity of the customer or let the customer bait you into loosing your cool when then the person in the wrong instantly becomes the victim.
Totally agree- the AA manager was perfect. Kudos to him.
That’s BS, DUDE
I’m glad the airlines stuck to their guns and didn’t cave to the black privilege race card. It’s another person maintained as a victim by the NAACP.
She did play a false racist/classicist card. However, no where does the NAACP encourage such methodology. No where did she bring up the NAACP. Only you interjected this invented claim.
Amen!
Spot on!
” If a passenger paid for an economy plus seat, and another passenger simply sits in an empty one, that’s not fair to the passenger who paid. ”
They used to let people move seats to a better class. In the late 80’s I was flying from O’hare to Hawaii on United with my dad and brother. They had upgrades to business or whatever it was called then. I am not sure it was first class. I didn’t have one and was in coach. My dad asked the FA if I could move to the empty aisle seat next to my dad. The FA waited until the doors closed and them she came back and got me and brought me up. I wasn’t 6 Years old. I was 20 so it wasn’t like I was young. I don’t know if they would do that now.
Ma’am, he wasn’t yelling at you. He was very controlled and respectful.
Typical black behavior, always claiming to be a victim.
What a POS
Has nothing to do with race, all I want is the seat I paid for. If there’s shenanigans going on back there I let God handle that stuff. He don’t like ugly.
Yes typical entitled BS. Just claim the race card to get your way. Frankly disgusting and sick individual. They should be ashamed of themselves.
Better title for the article “Race Grifter Doesn’t Understand Seating Chart”
That manager is a freaking class act. Sadly, that woman didn’t even realize where she was mentally. She recorded herself, so no one can accuse people of putting her on blast, but this is sad, really. The manager was really pretty incredible here. This is how it works.
First thing I would like to comment on the female passenger about why she didn’t get the first class accommodation She was the one doing all the yelling first of all, and the manager wasn’t yelling at her. She was very disrespectful and didn’t allow him to explain why he didn’t get to see. I don’t think discrimination played a role in this particular case. She made herself upset, and she tried to use discrimination against the airline. She clearly was wrong. She should’ve gave the manager opportunity to explain why the person if that person was white why they were accommodated so with that, I would agree with the airline she removed herself from that plane not the manager, she embarrassed herself and that’s my take
In-flight reparations
My absolutely favorite airline in the World is Omni Air International. Every passenger getting the right seat. Zero discrimination.
Definitely a black Karen. I really doubt she has flown 25 tines this year. She has no idea of the upgrade list or of status? Sounds like it’s her first flight to me. She is attempting to set up to file a lawsuit. Are you kidding me? She feels uncomfortable going back to her seat? Give me a break. The manager was forced to speak a little loud because she kept talking over him, then she says he’s yelling at her. SMH!!!
Typical black leftist behavior. I’m the victim, white people bad, blah blah blah.
Great control by the customer service. Race had no part of this and should not have been played. This person obviously thought if they were pushy enough she would be pacified and given what she wanted. What a terrible way to go through life for her and for everyone around her.
How that manager kept his cool for that long is beyond me but very commendable. She was dying to find a way to get him fired but he wouldn’t take the bait…true professional. She’s an awful person.
Start with the fact she tried to take a seat in a cabin she didn’t pay for.
Typical bullshit, ignorance = race card
Why was it necessary to explain what happened like the readers are 6 yo?
Was as simple as, “Ignorant person wastes people’s time.”
Believe it or not, many of our readers are finding our content for the first time. As the video creator demonstrated, to some, these details are new information and this may be the first time they learn how these things work.
The passenger chose to take a privilege that was not her’s to take. She upgraded herself, caused herself embarrassment and blamed the airline staff. She took no ownership of the problem she created. She wasn’t interested in an explanation she was to embarrassed to get back on the plane so she decided to play victim. She recorded the interaction to her own peril. No winning a lawsuit here.
My biggest issue with this interaction is that they are delaying vacating the gate. This flight must have been ahead of schedule. If not, then this affects the people onboard as well as the next incoming flight needing to use the gate. What if they are passengers on the next flight that miss the connecting flights? What if this interaction took a while and now the pilots have to fly faster to make up time? Flying faster uses more fuel, costs more, impacts operations. The airline has to eat that cost, not this lady.
Good breeding always shows!
The passenger has to actually place themselves in the upgrade list. If she didn’t know what the last was evidently she didn’t try for the upgrade. The manager also said it’s how many $$$ are spent not how many flights.
The employee did an excellent job handing the situation. Sit down or get off plane.
Smh… You do realize your comment is typical racist behavior, right? Judgmental, presumptuous, inconsiderate of fact. You’re entitled to your feelings (~personal facts~) but this “typical black behavior” rhetoric labels YOU. Should probably have kept that feeling hidden. But NO!, you put it all out there–exposing yourself to the world, Nicky Vee. I won’t call your comment “typical” anything but it’s likely typical you. I respect what every other commenter here has said, as of 20231026-1330. They qualify their words and seem to understand individuals are individuals, no matter what their “race”. Even Chi Hsuan, who said “typical LEFTIST black behavior is more right because that identifies a political group’s common disposition. But what you said is pretty ignorant. It certainly doesn’t apply to me and I, too, say the woman was wrong. What color are you? You should be feeling what I’m saying about now. Still smh. At least go back and edit your comment. You’re famous.
What I don’t get is: why don’t you just move to Africa if the United States is so bad?
Fact of the matter is there’s nowhere better for blacks than the US. Maybe should you be thankful your ancestors got the chance to live in America.
What a sad, small, ignorant mind. The woman was very wrong and so are you. Go back to sleep. Leave this to the grownups.
Would these be the same grown-ups responsible for America’s crime-ridden hellscape cities?
If so, no thanks, loser.
Why don’t you go back to the UK? We have just as much right here as you do. We built this country dummy ‼️
Does anyone know the flight and the route?
I did not get the impression that she was asked to move back to her original seat because of her race. I can understand she was very upset about being asked to move back to her seat, but that should not be a reason to keep on accusing the airline staff member on board and not listening to him. She can file a complaint but is unlikely to get anything out of that. Instead, she might not be welcomed back to the airline.
What an entitled idiot. She thinks just because there’s an empty seat in first class it belongs to her. I doubt she’s flown 25 times in her life, let alone the year. She should stick to Greyhound.
Just watched the video of the conversation between Ms. Entitled Eternal Victim and the AAL rep.
Throughout the convo she repeats that AA removed her from “her seat”, implying the First Class seat was rightfully hers.
HER SEAT, however, was the one she paid for in Economy.
Her whole demeanor during the convo was to push the idea, in ever-increasing volume, that she was the harassed and embarrassed victim.
What is clear is that this is not her first time at this game of trying to get something for nothing. Nor her first time getting caught at it.
Her pulling out the race card and threatening to talk to supervisors and escalating the issue may have worked in the past in other situations. She is gambling that AA will fold and give in. She has no shame so how can she be embarrassed when she purposefully caused the problem?
Bravo AA supervisor for keeping totally cool, patient and professional…certainly much more courtesy and patience than this lying lowlife freeloader deserves.
just a typical black women playing the race card, instead of playing by the rules.
Promise them everything, give then nothing…
Americans like to play the race or disability card. Sadly other countries follow.
They talk about white privileged but then you have black privilege also!