Seating Snafu
Hello,
Recently myself and a companion were aboard a flight out of ATL. The gate agent took both of our boarding passes and told us we were in row 29. We boarded, stowed our carry-ons and got comfortable in our seats. About 5 minutes later an older couple was standing in the aisle a few rows up in confusion. The FA asked my companion for his boarding pass and stated something was seriously wrong and appeared to be in a panic.
The FA then asked me for mine - neither of us had the passes - they were taken at the gate - we were then ordered to immediately vacate our seats, step to the rear of the A/C with the FA and show ID. I offered our itinerary, which put us in row 27, but the gate agent said 29. Silly mistake.
We graciously offered the couple our original seats - they were better than the row 29 seats we were in - just forward of the engine on the 717 - they accepted and the flight went on as usual.
My query is, why would the FA be so rude with us and in a panic ? A few of our fellow PAX said we appeared to be criminals in the FA's view. I thought maybe it was stress ? How would any of you handle this ?
We were about 7 minutes from push. It was an 8am departure and the A/C was about 95 pct full.
thanks and kind regards