I might accept the "all agents are not created equal" thing if it hadn't happened earlier this year at the same airport. That time, not only did the check-in agent fib, but when I double checked at the gate, that agent also fed me the same story when I was skeptical because my E+ seat was further back than I'd expect.

In both cases I was pretty darn clear about what I wanted. I find it very hard to believe that any gate agent wouldn't know what Economy + is at this point, and if not they should be fired.

These were both long-haul international flights, and E+ seating is one of the main benefits that UA has for me - and the #1 reason I bought slightly more expensive UA tickets for my wife so she could make Premier. You can bet your behind I was VERY disappointed as I walked past the E+ seats to find my E- middle seats on my way to NRT earlier this year, and I'm pretty irritated that it happened again.

Don't get me wrong - overall I'm fairly satisfied with UA and especially with their confirmations about how they'll run their program next year I'm staying put for now - but I fly UA for the benefits I get vs. just flying the cheapest airline, and if this happens too often I will switch to an airline with employees that don't play this sort of game.