Originally Posted by
jphripjah
The gate agent realized exactly what this couple was doing and considered it to be bad form and violation of the unwritten rules of air travel seating courtesy. To her, splitting seats like this couple did and leaving an empty middle is an abhorrent practice, because it makes it harder for her to seat other passengers near each other (like aisle-aisle) and harder for her to accommodate other passengers' window/aisle seating preferences..
Seating preferences are first-come, first served. Passengers who check in early shouldn't be expected to leave the window or aisle seats open for the late arrivals.
What would you say if your grocer asked you to buy the spoiled produce so later shoppers could have the fresh items?
The fact that the window and aisle passengers are traveling together, or even married, is not relevant.