Something that bothers me around holidays/summer is people saving places. It is worst in summer: some "body-able" member of the family stands in line for 30 minutes, than races through the gate and bus to spread books, coats and jackets on a whole row to "reserve" the place.

When this happens around me, if I can find another suitable seat (aisle) I don't mind. If the plane is going full, or if I see a concentration of babies on the rear (somehow families with babies never stays much in front, don't know why), I just crawl myself standing in front of the seat and ask the person saving places, kindly, to take whatever item they left there.

They usually comply without much discussion, because not doing it would mean I'd have to take my luggage of the overhead bin and rejoining the aisle jam of passengers and suitcases. Only once I had to call a FA because two adults had reserved 3 (yes, 3) rows and were telling people to find other seats. The FA asked the guys to take back all items as seats were first-come, first-save and a little discussion between them ensued.

I really don't understand why people who desperately want to travel together can't stay together unless there is some compelling reason (pregnant women, impaired mobility, breastfeeding-age babies etc.)