Select Your Airline Seat After Scanning the Profiles of Your Fellow Passengers

The Dutch airline KLM is rolling out its newest seat selection program.  USA Today reports passengers will be able to link their Facebook and LinkedIn profiles to their check-in information and then “pick seatmates based on similar interests.” 

Right.  The Maven knows the number one interest involved in that contrivance.  No thanks! 

The USA Today report serves as a reminder that the current system isn’t perfect, (as will be discussed) but being a frequent traveler, The Mave’ll  take randomization over sitting-targetization any day.

Like most frequent flyers The Maven has a predictable routine.  Southwest is The Mave’s preference with their uniform fleet of 737’s, open seating and an easy change of flight policy.  Customary for The Mave is the right side of the plane, aisle seat in row 7, 8 or 9 with carry-on baggage only. 

On a recent flight departing Indiana The Maven was delighted to hear the pre-board announcement stating it wouldn’t be a full flight.  Happily nestled in Her row 8 aisle seat, with the last group boarding, The Mave was confident of enjoying the empty row.  Moments later that confidence dissolved when He emerged through the cabin door.  With LOADS of open seating options still available The Mave saw him glance in Her direction.  Averting eye contact, The Mave busied Herself with her reading material.   A comparison to Peter Griffin from Family Guy would be a charitable one…Griffin has a full head of hair with shirt buttons that don’t strain beyond their load limit.  Dotted with perspiration from schlepping all manner of carry-on accoutrements, He asks The Mave if anyone is sitting in the window seat.  (Ugh) After much ado with stowing his vintage 1970’s American Tourister in the overhead bin, The Mave stands to allow his largess wide berth for passage.  Clearly displeased with his present arrangement there’s considerable shimmying and shifting in his seat whilst futzing with and attempting to fasten his seatbelt.  After liberal harumpfing, obvious grunts of dissatisfaction and several furtive glances in The Mave’s direction, Peter decides the open seat IMMEDIATELY ADJACENT to The Maven would be more suitable. 

Dear God.

With the window seat now vacant, it certainly creates the impression that Peter and The Maven are on this flight TOGETHER.  Mortified, perturbed and severely lacking in personal real estate, The Maven lists into the aisle for next hour and a half. The passage of time is punctuated by frequent badgering of the flight attendant for more ice to go with his complimentary beverage and a magnanimous offer to avail himself of more snacks when The Maven states She’ll forego the peanuts… (“Oh, If She doesn’t want them I’ll take them”)

Yes.  Open seating has its hazards.  But it seems to The Maven that it’s actually more random than allowing an unknown to select his or her seat BEFORE the plane boards based on a Facebook profile. 

So KLM?  The Maven says you can keep your “meet and seat” system.