A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: MCI
Programs: AA Gold 1MM, AS MVP, UA Silver, WN A-List, Marriott LT Titanium, HH Diamond
Posts: 52,602
My Southwest seat strategy is this:
If I have no checked bag, and if it's my terminating segment where I'm immediately leaving the airport, then it's easy: first open aisle seat that isn't bulkhead.
If I have a checked bag, or if I have a connection that isn't super tight, I go to 17D. It's "first class" for the rear FA (on most planes) and falls into the "middle middles fill last" strategy from this thread.
If I think my connection might be tight, I go back to the first approach - aisle seat up front.
If I'm traveling with someone, we usually go to row 17. D and F if it's an obviously not full flight. C and D if it will likely be full.