Originally Posted by
nd2010
What if you're in an exit row, last to board and notice an open seat in F and no seats in Y? You say that you don't feel like you're fit for the duties of the exit row. They have to move you to another seat, and it'll be quicker for them to move you to the open F seat than look through the Y list and pick out a passenger deserving of an upgrade, move all their stuff to the F seat, and then move your stuff to that Y seat.
Doubt it. FA would probably look for a exit-row-qualified solo traveler sitting 1-2 rows away from the exit and ask you to switch with him or her. That person would happily take your seat. (e.g., if you have exit-middle, a guy in a regular middle 1-2 rows back will get your seat.) That would be as fast or faster than having you walk back up to the front of the plane and take the F seat.
Besides, if anybody was going to get a freebie upgrade that way, they might attempt to find the next elite who was on the upgrade list...sort of depends on how that airline's upgrade system works. I've actually had this happen on UA where I had just missed out on the upgrade at boarding time...then a few minutes later the GA came on and moved me up to F when one F passenger no-showed. Then the last standby boarded and took my Y seat as the door closed. They can do this rather quickly, even in the minutes before pushback.
I wouldn't wager my exit row seat like that.