Originally Posted by dane1

Perhaps I'm just old fashioned, but I assume that anyone is due courtesy and respect unless proven otherwise. The GA should have asked first before moving the OP, period. He/she was simply being lazy and not wanting to risk having to ask another person in case of refusal, and so instead acted by fiat. I usually fly DL and they always ask first in my experience. I've seen it from both sides, either when being asked to move (sometimes I refuse when I have a good reason but usually I try to be accommodating), or when I have a need myself to move such as wanting an aisle nearer the front on a close connection due to flight delay or when I have a family member or business colleague on the flight I would like to sit with. I'm sorry to see UA putting up with this.