Your headline caught my attention so had to read it!

I too dislike those middle seats although rear or front facing does not concern me. One trip when I was on a paid, last minute, flight got the dreaded seat. Went to sleep and woke up startled when Mr MS (next to me) whacked me in the face. In fairness he was asleep (well he appeared to be asleep). Rolled over, went back to sleep and got thumped on the back by Mr MS. He still appeared to be asleep. So went back to sleep and got awoken a third time by another face slap. Decided sleep was not going to be my thing on the trip so sat my seat up and watched a movie. Mr MS then sent his hand/arm flying again straight into my upright seat that awoke him from his deep slumber. He looked daggers at me and my seat, and I just kept watching my movie. He did this a couple more times before he too gave up on sleep (at which time l then reclined ny seat and closed my eyes). Since then try and avoid the 4 seat arrangement unless it is the morning flight from LHR as I do not sleep on those flights so not as conerned.

On a different flight had arranged for my cousin to fly in business using a GPU and got her the aisle on the 4 across (no other aisles available). She was settled in her seat when a German "gentleman" boarded the plane moved her bags from above where she was sitting (into the next bin along), and told her he wanted her seat. She had stood up to let him into his seat (and did not say anything about her bag being moved as she could still reach it). She informed him it was her seat. He told her he wanted it and expected her to move into his middle seat. By this time the boarding was held up so the FA came to check the hold up. The German gentleman informed the FA he wanted the aisle seat and was sure she understood it would be much easier if my cousin just moved into the middle seat. FA asked to see his BP and told him to sit in his middle seat. Mr MS then sits down in his seat and informs my cousin it would have been easier and leas problems if she has just done what he had told her to do.

So next time perhaps tell Mr AS you want their seat and tell them to do as you tell them. :-)

Thank you for your amusing headline to your story.