Clarifications:

1) No FAM. Civilian and a bit of the DYKWIA variety. And certainly someone who understood that 9B is nicer than other seats. Also, 8B was empty (as was 8C, D, E).

2) 8H is a bulkhead seat with significantly less foot space. I have sat in row 8 and my feet were angled against the bulk head (I am on the tall side).

3) Yes, making sure my cast is out of the way of aisle traffic is important.

4) I reseated myself. Afterall, half the cabin was empty.