I've admitted that. Dana raised one hand. Let her finish. Richard stopped.
After the refusals, Mr. Hail raised concerns that Mrs. Brooks appeared confused during boarding and might not be capable of traveling independently. Dana glanced toward Evelyn. Clare continued. We checked the examples he provided.
Wheelchair assistance was requested because of knee discomfort. The luggage he said she appeared confused about was her own bag after it had been repositioned during boarding. Mrs. Brooks correctly identified her seat, destination, connection, documents, and belongings. And witnesses, Dana asked.
Two passengers heard portions of the interaction. One witnessed the initial seat request and money offer. Another independently heard the money offer and part of the exchange afterward. Dana nodded.
Anything else? I told Mr. Hail the seat issue was resolved and instructed him to return to his assigned seat. He requested you and refused to sit down while waiting. Dana looked at Richard.
Is there anything in that summary you believe is factually incorrect? Richard paused. The way she tells it makes me sound unreasonable. That wasn't my question.
Richard looked toward Evelyn. She leaves out the fact that I had a legitimate reason to want this seat. Dana nodded. Your previous assignment?
Yes. Do you have proof? Richard pulled out his phone. Right here.
He opened an older reservation confirmation. Dana looked at it. The seat number matched Evelyn's current seat. Then Richard opened his current boarding pass.
A different number appeared. Dana handed the phone back. All right. This confirms the seat was previously assigned to you and later changed.
Richard's posture relaxed slightly. Exactly. Dana continued. It also confirms that your current assignment is the seat behind you.
The relief disappeared. Richard frowned. So, the first reservation means nothing. It means the airline changed your seat without asking me.
That is something you can raise with customer service. Richard gestured toward Evelyn, but somebody ended up in the seat I selected. Dana looked at him. Yes.
And according to the current boarding passes, that passenger is Mrs. Brooks. Richard shook his head. I spoke to the gate agent. What did the gate agent tell you that I could ask on board?
Did the agent tell you the passenger assigned this seat would be required to move? No. Did the agent guarantee the exchange? No.
Dana nodded. Then you were permitted to ask. You asked. Mrs. Brooks declined.
Richard looked frustrated. That makes it sound simple. For the seat assignment, it is simple. Evelyn remained quiet.
Dana turned toward her. Mrs. Brooks, did Mr. Hail ever tell you that this seat had previously been assigned to him? No. Richard looked at her.
I didn't think I needed to explain my entire reservation. You didn't, Evelyn replied. But you keep saying I should have understood why this mattered so much to you. Richard started to answer.
Dana stopped him. Let her finish. Evelyn looked at Richard. You asked me to move.
I said no. You offered money. I said no again. Everything after that came because you didn't like my answer.
Richard shook his head. No. Everything after that came because I noticed you were struggling. Evelyn's expression hardened.