What has happened to airplane etiquette over the last several years?

It seems that while technology has moved forward, basic manners keep moving backward.

This story from Reddit is another example of when people just can’t follow basic directions.

Check it out.

Plane seat bandit finally happened to me

People stealing plane seats and getting told off for it are some of my favorite stories on Reddit.

With the increase of plane seat bandits, most likely due to do airlines almost making it a requirement to pay for seats if you want to sit next to your plane partner, I have been half expecting to run into one since me and my husband travel a lot for work.

Well, it finally happened and it was fun!

Starting off making the best of a bad situation.

Me and my husband always buy plane seats towards the back of the plane.

As we stroll down we see a lady with a young son (maybe 11 or 12) sitting in our seats.

They were both deep in their phones when I told her she was in our seats.

We had to wake up at 03:00 to drive to the airport, and we didn’t really sleep so I was not in the mood for nonsense.

She smiles and tells us that they weren’t seated together so the stewardess told her they could sit here.

I don’t think that’s how seat assignments work.

Uhm, she most definitely didn’t.

I smile back and say we paid for these seats so we would like to sit there.

She keeps smiling her stiff smile and points to other empty seats behind us and asks if we wouldn’t mind sitting in one of them since they are already settled and comfortable, would it even matter?

The author is one step ahead, realizing that boarding is not complete and those empty seats are likely not going to remain empty.

Well, I said, yes since the plane is still boarding so these might all be reserved and it really messes with the system if people sit in random seats.

She is starting to lose her smile and says if there aren’t seats available after the plane is finished boarding they would move then.

I am not confrontational and am usually a people pleaser so I’m struggling to stand up for myself, but I’m so proud for doing it anyways.

Meanwhile my husband is struggling between boarding passengers to get the flight attendant.

This is when she really puts her in her place.

I sigh and with a half smile say I’m sorry but I just want to sit down and not stand in the hallway blocking people to see if maybe there are empty seats when I paid for our seats.

And besides… I would like the police to be able to identify our bodies by seat number in case the plane crashes and our families want to bury our remains.

The kid’s face, which has been glued to his phone this entire time, shoots up in shock and he looks between me and his mom.

It was delicious.

What a line. And it has the desired impact.

She has a bewildered look on her face, there is silence for 5 seconds before she packs up her stuff and pokes her son to move.

I keep smiling sweetly and thank her and plomp myself down as my husband returns with a flight attendant.

I tell her everything is fine and tell my husband what happened.

We laughed and I’m pretty sure the mom heard, or I hope so.

I didn’t look back but I think I’m not mistaken of feeling laser stare in the back of my head.

Luckily the flight was only 3 hours so I didn’t need to walk past for the loo.

I have a feeling the commenters of Reddit will appreciate her winning line. Let’s see what they have to say.

Top comment has a word for word takedown.

An astute observer notices a befitting typo that might work out better than the intended word.

Another commenter has a similar story from a ground-bound transportation option.

It seems this one is relatable, as another commenter shares a seat-stealing story from a concert.

Saving that line for later, says this comment!

Sit in your correct seat so the police can identify your body later.

Good advice!

If you liked that post, check out this story about a customer who insists that their credit card works, and finds out that isn’t the case.