A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,404
OTOH when passengers with no status buy cheap coach tickets, whether in basic economy or not, the odds are reasonably high that at least one of them will get a middle seat. It's not realistic or reasonable for infrequent travelers to expect good seats (unless they pay to reserve decent seats in advance on airlines that offer this option).