An airplane passenger has been left angry after being forced to give up their seat for a wheelchair user. Due to their own healthcare concerns, the passenger felt inclined to keep the seat for themselves.
The flight attendant reportedly asked them to be "respectful" to the passenger in need. However, the person claimed they had a valid reason for not doing so.
As reported by The Mirror, the anonymous passenger took to Reddit to explain the situation. They wrote: "I recently had an early morning return flight where I paid extra money for a seat that was the second from the front and one of about five different seats that were the only seat in their row."
READ MORE: Ikea's first flatpack BoKlok homes are a year late and buyers are furious
They went on: "At boarding, the agent called me there, there were two of them. The first agent just said that she was going to give my seat to someone else who needed wheelchair assistance.
"I fly pretty often and see people needing wheelchair assistance all the time and are seated through various parts of the plane. I was immediately shocked because the agent didn't ask IF I would give up my seat but just matter-of-factly explained that she will be assigning me another seat.
"I probably would have if they had asked instead of telling me. I asked if I would get a comparable seat and was told no.
"I then stated that I had paid for that seat, agent two then jumped in and said snarkily 'you paid for A seat'. I corrected him and told him I paid for THAT seat (as picking it out online and paying the appropriate fee).
"Agent one began reciting the 800 number for me to be reimbursed when agent two said never mind and went into the plane I guess to make other arrangements."
The passenger claimed that the agent approached them with an "attitude". They stated that that they need to be more "respectful" to the wheelchair user.
The Reddit user explained: "In the end, I kept my seat and the person requiring wheelchair assistance was given the seat directly in front of me. I am a disabled veteran but do not require wheelchair assistance.
"I bought that seat because of some issues with my knees (both have been scoped and I have to get frequent cortisol shots for pain and swelling). I have been needing a knee replacement since ten years ago but the orthopaedic doc won't do it because I am too young."
Seeking advice over the ordeal, the passenger added: "I also have a heart condition where the medication makes my feet and lower legs swell if they're bent too long. So, am I the a**hole for not giving up my seat?"
The Reddit post has been commented on over 100 times to date. Some people assured the passenger that they were not being unreasonable.
One person wrote: "Not the a**hole. To me, your medical and ability status is completely irrelevant. You paid for that specific seat so they absolutely should be asking rather than telling."
A second person agreed: "Not the a**hole even without your own disability. If the airline wants to have the seat available as a convenience/courtesy for passengers in wheelchairs, they can certainly keep it available as such."
Read next:
- No council review of Bristol's Clean Air Zone signs despite complaints
- The St Pauls Carnival legend ready to bring Ghetto Force back
- 'Action needed' to save East Street from students and gentrification, Government tells council
- Demo called at controversial hedge as farmer says she can't leave to go to market
- South Bristol community told 'now is the time to get involved' if they want to save high street
