Originally Posted by PTravel

I'm sorry, but I stand by my position: It is not my responsibility to inconvenience myself for someone else's problem. You can ask. Just be prepared to take, "no" for an answer. Your argument is, first last and always, with the airline, not with other passengers. That said, I will consider the reason for a request. I will always help out in an emergency, or for the elderly or infirm, or for a family traveling for an emergency.

Please note, too, that "equal for equal" is in the eye of the person being asked, not the person asking for the swap. All airline seats are not created equal and different people have different reasons for preferring certain seats. You are not in a position to judge.

As for GAs and FAs contributing to the drama, I agree. They should enforce seating assignments, rather taking the "squeaky wheel get's greased" approach.