Originally Posted by
GatorBlues
Others don't know that you picked your preferred seat in advance. For all they know, you were upgraded or assigned a seat by the system that isn't your favorite.
Most couples would rather sit apart in first than together in coach, but sitting together in first is even better. A simple "no thanks, I prefer my aisle seat" should end the discussion. If they're polite about it, what's the big deal?
I agree with you about the tantrums. A guy got heated with me when he asked to trade his regular coach seat for my exit aisle seat. After I politely declined, he got angry, arguing that because he's so tall (I'm not), he "needs" the exit seat. I had to keep refusing at least 3 more times before he moved on. Next time, I plan to ignore the tantrum thrower and press the call button as soon as the tantrum starts. That kind of person is going to ask/demand no matter what. I don't view it as a reason not to be courteous to the people who aren't obnoxious in making their request.
IME it's better to just say no thanks and skip the "I prefer my aisle seat" tends to lead to an argument about how they *need* the aisle seat or why the window seat really would be better for you or even that all of the seats are equivalent because they all arrive at the same time. If you give any sort of a reason, even something so factual and so vague as the statement that you prefer the seat you have, many seat swappers will argue with you. I've come to believe that it's better not to engage at all (and if a poacher doesn't move instantly, get the FA or GA).