P.S. In your Russian farmer analogy, I think you've lost sight of the fact that you'd be getting a $1500 bonus for allowing the seat neighbor to encroach on a few inches of "your" paid knee space.

How is that a losing proposition for you personally, especially since it sounds as if you as the passenger aren't the one paying, but rather the company that is sending you? $1500 for not sitting directly next to someone and possibly having to tolerate someone letting 1/3 of a butt cheek or an elbow encroach into the empty seat's airspace. Sounds like a WIN to me.