I don't think I've ever ran into this with Alaska, Southwest or Hawaii.

First time in a long time traveling on Continental. Wife and I made to separate reservation so I called and asked to move our seats together cause they wouldn't even allow us to select seats during the process.

Called 24hrs b4 departure and asked to be seated together.

The agent stated that they only had 11b and 12b and the 2nd segment is 14e and 13e and if we want we would have to purchased the so called better seats etc.. etc..

I thought, we're sitting close enough that someone on that flight would be willing to change our seats so I denied it and ok on the front and back seat.

Immediately he said oh wait one of the seat just opened up so he can now put us together on both flights. I'm sure he didn't have to do that but are these agents on commission?

I had to do the same for Hawaiian and Alaska air with more people and we all literally sat together.

Is that normal for them to do that? I thought it was kind of strange