One of the small bonuses I have in life is being 6ft 4 and built like a rugby player (and unfortunately I look like one). It makes travelling on planes (particularly in Y) a pretty uncomfortable experience. However, I don't tend to get that kind of abuse. Funny that!

I normally get that you don't belong here look (or even question from the FA's wanting to check my boarding pass (yes even on BD!)), especially if i'm wearing jeans and looking like hell after a 48hr shift or something like that!

I think most regular flyers have sat next to the passenger from hell at one stage or another. And these come in many shapes forms and guises, from screaming babies on TATL (a long debated topic and now I have kids I have every sympathy), through to the sort of example you've described and absolutely everything in-between.

And i'm sure i've been someone elses nightmare at some point......