6 TIMES YOU DON'T HAVE TO GIVE UP YOUR SEAT

This week, a Gold Elite flyer made headlines when she refused to give up her seat to another woman in a wheelchair. Contrary to popular belief, this is perfectly acceptable in certain circumstances...

1: If You've Already Started Watching a Movie. It's hard enough following a complicated plot with all those PA interruptions to your in-flight entertainment. The last thing you need is to have to fast-forward to where you got up to from a new seat.

2: If You Think They're Faking It. Forcing them to prove they really ARE disabled can be a bit embarrassing if they really ARE disabled, but sometimes you've just got to follow your instincts.

3: If They Look Like a Terrorist. How the hell did they get that "wheelchair" (ie: potential weapon of mass destruction) through the metal detectors anyway?

4: If Your New Seat Is Close To Children. Nobody should be forced to endure that kind of torture for any reason. Alternatively, I've actively sought out people with disabilities to swap seats with to get away from my OWN kids. Well worth the effort.

5: If You're Asleep. We all know it's virtually impossible to get any sleep on a plane. If, by some miracle, you HAVE actually managed to drop off, anyone who disturbs you should be fired immediately. Unless they're serving drinks.

6: If You're the Pilot. Very difficult to steer the plane from the back.