We did tell the gate agent at CLT and it was noted on the reservation. But they told us they already assigned our connected biz seats to people waiting for upgrades and there was no going back. I worry for both my safety and the safety of the people in my row in case of an emergency. If I am in an aisle seat and there is an emergency, I would not know. I hear zero of what is said over the intercom. I make it a point to never sit in the emergency exit aisle (per AA's instructions) and always sit in a window seat so I would not impede anyone's exit in case I could not hear instructions. I get where the GA was coming from, but it still seems silly to not give us the seats back in this case.