Flight 1702 this morning, EWR-SFO. I was sitting in 16D (exit row aisle with full recline - pretty good seat considering I was 23 on the UG list). Shortly before departure, this exchange happened between an FA and the man in 16B:
FA: I need to see your boarding pass.
16B: It's with my bag, back there. (He pointed towards the rear of the plane.)
FA: You need to move back to your assigned seat.
16B: (rising) But this seat was empty.
FA: You know, these seats have an extra charge. (
)
Former 16B collects his things and heads back. New occupant of 16B is an off-duty CO FA, with correct boarding pass.
Good move by the FA ^, but I wonder if she would have enforced the "extra charge" is the seat was unassigned.