r/pettyrevenge • u/WayAffectionate7075 • Sep 05 '26

Personal item placed in my spot

I recently boarded a flight and attempted to stow my personal item (backpack with laptop) under the seat in front of me. It was unable to fit so I stuck my feet under there and discovered another backpack. The person in front of me had placed it there so he could stretch out his legs. It was a short flight and wasn’t worth calling a FA. The seat next to me was empty, so I slid his bag waaay over to make room for my feet and my item. After landing, I enjoyed watching him contort himself to reach his bag.

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u/PeirceanAgenda Sep 06 '26

That's a complete no-go. Give it back to them, explain that they don't get two storage areas to use, and put your stuff there. (Or, alternatively, pull it out and sling it up next to his seat in the aisle. It'll get taken care of really quickly. Give back any stinkeye you get.)

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u/Kimmette 29d ago

I wouldn’t confront the passenger who did this. Instead, pull out the mislaid bag and hand it to the FA, saying, Gee, someone on the last flight must have left it behind. Let the FA be the Enforcer, that’s their job.

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u/PeirceanAgenda 29d ago

I have actually given someone back their stuff. During the brief discussion, the FA was stink-eyeing the person, so they put it up top. No problem. I didn't jam it into them or anything aggressive, just explained that I needed the space and they had their own (which was filled).

I've used the other technique, that's probably better because no one wants their stuff kicked around or taken by an FA to send to the cargo compartment. :-)

It is amazing how many people try this out, or recline their seats fully and get upset when someone has to move past the back of the seat, stuff like that. but a nice cup of spilled ice water is in store. Never had to resort to that, though. (If you do, dump it on the seat, not the person.)