wait, let me get this straight... you are (understandably) upset that you were removed from your seat, but you now expect Delta to do the exact same thing to some other person at your request? This is pretty much the definition of a DYKWIA? You suspect shena, but there's no actual evidence of it (yet). Obviously it is technically possible for Delta to reassign the new passenger in "your" seat, but I don't see any reason to expect that to be an allowable action for a DM agent. As a lowly PM, I certainly HOPE that this isn't something DL would allow.
I never said I
expect Delta to do that. I am well aware that it is a sticky ethical situation if there is no other option but to boot someone else out. No matter what one person is going to be unhappy. Right now that is me. I dare say - while fully recognizing that it may sound DYKIA - that push come to shove DL should boot someone with no status out rather than the DM. From a corporate perspective, I think it makes more sense to right a wrong for a DM at the risk of wronging a person with no status, rather than leaving a DM wronged. Just my 2 cents.