Maybe they think if you're crazy enough to want a middle seat then you're crazy enough to pay for it too?

Couldn't tell you to be honest. I hate the whole choice seats program. Other than being closer to the front, it doesn't offer anything like UA's E+. If they're going to charge like that, it should at least be priced for what it offers.

Of course, US charges its elites for those seats, so the whole thing is just dumb.