
A Texans Dilemma: How To Handle The Assigned Dreaded Middle Seat
Extended weekend getaways are great when you can afford them! You've saved up the funds and the PTO, so it's time to cash in and head to New York City, Las Vegas, Miami, San Antonio, Phoenix, or wherever else for fun.
The quickest way to weekend out-of-town fun is by flight and you'll be there in a couple of hours after flying at 35,000 feet in a metal tube!
This was the situation for my wife and me a few weeks back. She planned a trip to New York City for us. When we got to the airport we checked our backs received our boarding passes at the ticket counter and headed off to the TSA checkpoint. At that point, we noticed we were assigned seats 14E and 22B, oh, middle seats. This is going to be a fun flight we both thought.
The dreaded middle seat on the plane. An unhappy feeling.
When traveling with someone and being split up, you can't talk to them. You've lost your travel companion, and that's what happened to my wife and me.
After leaving her in 14E, I made my way to 22B. When I arrived, the passenger in 22A was already seated, and I noticed some things right off.
- the armrest was raised
- there as a tablet on his tray tablet
- there were two phones in his hand
- a pillow on his lap
- and he was taking up part of my seat

In this situation, I wondered what the etiquette was for the middle seat passenger and what 'rights' they had!
- Do I lower the armrest?
- Do I say something to him for taking up part of my seat?
I know there are no rules, just unspoken rules among seasoned travelers that those who are assigned the middle seat get access to both armrests because they are unable to lean against the window or occasionally stretch their legs down the center aisle.
Middle-seat passengers are stuck between two people and have to be pretty flexible when it comes to space and just being polite.
So I had two choices:
- accept the armrest was going to be raised
- say something to the passenger and pull the armrest down
I didn't want to confront the guy or start anything, so I let 22A fly with the armrest raised the entire flight. In all honesty, it probably wouldn't have come down to rest in a natural folded-down position (that's the nicest way I can put it).
I was excited though when we touched down and were able to deplane so that I could recoup my personal space.
So If you're seated in A, C, D, or F on a plane, be considerate of those in B and E and give them the armrests, they have nothing else!
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