The Seat War​

Returning from a business trip, I scored a lucky upgrade to first class with my points.

I had barely settled in when a man in a sharp suit pointed a finger right in my face and told me to get the hell out and go to economy.

He claimed he’d been sitting in this exact seat for five years, that it was practically his, and as far as he was concerned, my ticket was worthless.

If I didn't move, he’d have me thrown off the plane. His arrogance was breathtaking.

A flight attendant hurried over, trying to placate me. "Mr. Place is one of our Platinum Elite members. Perhaps you wouldn't mind…?"

I stood my ground. On what planet was my ticket worthless?

Just then, the captain's voice crackled over the intercom.

"Will the passenger in seat 1A please come to the cockpit immediately."

1

Every head in the cabin swiveled to look at me.

Mr. Place and the deceptively sweet-looking woman clinging to his arm exchanged triumphant smirks.

The flight attendant let out a sigh of relief and gestured for me to go. "Ma'am, the captain would like to see you."

Her tone practically screamed, The party's over for you.

I took a deep breath, stood up, and followed her toward the front of the plane.

Mr. Place's taunting voice followed me down the aisle.

"Why are you even wasting time talking to her? Just have security drag her off."

He scoffed. "Do you have any idea how much money I lose for every minute you waste?"

My steps faltered. I turned and shot him a look of pure ice.

The cockpit door opened. The captain and co-pilot sat inside, their expressions grim.

"Ma'am, hello." The captain pointed to an empty jump seat. "Please, sit."

I sat, cutting straight to the chase. "Captain, my seat is 1A. My ticket is legal and valid."

The captain nodded, his face unreadable. "We're aware of that. However, Mr. Place is one of our most valued VIP clients."

"The revenue he generates for this airline annually is thousands of times the price of your ticket."

"Furthermore," he continued, "he has made it explicitly clear that if he cannot sit in 1A today, he will immediately terminate all of his contracts with our company."

I almost laughed out of sheer disbelief.

"So? So you're going to sacrifice the legitimate rights of an ordinary passenger to appease your corporate god?"

"Is this the official philosophy of your airline?"

The co-pilot frowned, his voice edged with impatience. "Ma'am, we're not negotiating with you."

"Right now, this entire flight is being held up because of you. You are wasting every other passenger's time."

"You have two options," he said, holding up two fingers.

"One, you accept our compensation package and voluntarily move to an economy seat."

"Two, we will be forced to remove you from the flight for 'causing a disturbance.'"

I stared at them, incredulous. "Causing a disturbance? Me?"

"That man is the one throwing a tantrum, and you're pinning the blame on me?"

The captain sighed, adopting a more conciliatory tone. "Ma'am, we're just employees trying to do our jobs. Please...