This thread shows some of the worst side of humanity. The heartless, the selfish and cruel. I love how so many posters on here have just assumed that if they are asked to move seats it's because the parent who needs to sit next to their kid didn't prepare. Never mind that it's a fact that even if you pick a seat the airline will switch seats around as they see fit. Never mind that many of the airlines mentioned in this post don't even charge for seat selection. Never mind that parent may have selected and paid extra their seats too. No if the airline messes up the seats - that parent 'failed to plan' and accomidating the disabled isn't your 'problem'.
Telling the parent of a child with a disability who requires accomidations that they should have 'planned better' even if the airline is the one to blame for the seat issue is full of such ignorance and bigotry. I had thought the DIS was a safe place from that kind of prejudice.
And hence why I said of course there are cases when equipment is changed etc. DH is 6'7" tall with a 40 inch inseam. That means he physically does not fit in most coach seats. We usually choose to fly first class but can't always so he has to sit in an aisle seat. An exit row is best but if we fly with DD that is not possible. So yes if you don't choose to purchase a seat assignment for your entire family we will not give up our seat unless you are offering up a first class seat. If you choose to purchase scattered seats on a plane instead of choosing another flight not my problem. Take responsibility for your family like I take responsibility for mine. I refuse to put my husband in a situation when he will be in pain.
oh and I check my seating repeatedly when we are scheduled to fly. I have noticed changes and reselected seats that work for us.
I love the selective reading on the Dis.