Originally Posted by
Tchiowa
Moving to the seat next to you is not theft if the seats are the same price. Moving to a seat that is more expensive is, in fact, theft.
Ok then. On UA, E+ middle seats are $10-$20 cheaper than aisle or window. So, I buy the middle seat and the guy in the window doesn't show, and I move to the open window seat.
I'm a thief?
Not so much. Career cop here, theft charges would never stick in either case.
If the FA told you to move and you didn't, you have much larger problems with the federal crime of interference with a flight crew.