Originally Posted by
meester69
Correct, he doesn't take up much space, he can sleep in a standard economy seat, and he is old enough to amuse himself.
If he needs to get out from his window seat he will find it much easier to get past than an adult would, and if he's in the aisle they can get past him.
With the 3 + 1 rather than 2 + 2arrangement only one of our party is next to a stranger who will annoy us (or us annoy them indeed). Being small and basically quiet he is less likely to annoy or be annoyed by a stranger than me, at 6' and 200 pounds.
Rather than doing 3 in one row and 1 in front, I'd do 3 and then 1 across the aisle.
As for what I'd do about seat poachers or requesters, I think I'll try the technique mentioned in other threads of negotiating the buy-up fee. If the copay for an F upgrade is $250, I'd gladly take $200. If the buy-up to Economy Plus on UA is $40, I'd probably take it. Not sure they'd want to part with it, though, given that they're already trying to get something for nothing.