I was an economy plus pax on a UA flight from LAS nonstop to IAD on Saturday. I was assigned seat 07D. 07E and 07F remained empty. I enjoyed the space and comfort of all three. About fifteen minutes before landing a fellow from in back came and asked me if anyone was sitting in either of the two empty seats next to me. I answered "No". I told him he was welcome to sit there. He told me he had a very tight connection at IAD. He had been on a nonstop to EWR that had been cancelled. (I knew of two that had been cancelled). A FA immediately came and directed him to return to his originally assigned seat. He explained his plight (last possible connection of the day) but she was steadfast.
We were descending through light chop over the mountains to the west of Dulles. I wouldn't think of asking a pax to get up and move. I am thinking safety. I understand the airline's concern for his fifteen minutes of unpaid economy plus.
The FA came by two more times and directed his to go back to the rear of the aircraft.
We landed and parked at a "D" gate. For whatever reason the boarding door didn't open for an additional fifteen minutes. I feared that UA had summoned law enforcement to our gate to nab him for his transgression. Since I was terminating at Dulles I held back in favor of others like him who had connections or were dependent on public transit at Dulles which tends to shut down kind of early at night.
I didn't see this guy as I deplaned later.
I am disappointed with the UA crew for being to small minded in this situation. I have seen other crews bring pax forward just prior to landing to help them get a head start on a close connection.
What do you think?