I agree that intentionally taking a seat in a higher class of service is stealing. If you accidentally take a seat in a higher class, I do not believe that is stealing, unless you become aware it was accidental, then you are back to stealing again.

Seats while traveling comparison to seats at a sporting event. A bit different, I think.

On a flight, most would agree it is ok to move around within in the cabin, just not to a seat in a cabin with a higher level of service. At a sporting event, most of the seats are general admisson and usually have no distinguishing barriers within the general admission sections. Sometimes there are club levels or suites, but most people know you can't move to those seats if you have a general admission ticket. I believe that as long as I remain in general admission seats, I do not see any problem moving if nobody objects and I am not displacing anyone. At the sporting events I attend, all general admission seats are the same price, so only priority is the difference in seat assignments - just like in coach(elites get the exit rows and more forward seats). Since all general admission seats have the same level of service(at least that I have been too), the only difference is the view - just like a window or isle in coach class.

So I justify that stealing a better view in general admission sport arenas is no different than stealing a view in coach class.


[This message has been edited by Aubie (edited 08-25-2002).]