Originally Posted by WineCountryUA

I think operationally this would be very tough. The elite may be traveling with others, that's the most common reason I am in a middle seat as +1 wants the window and not a stranger. Anyone with UA app, likely for most elites, you can see the seat map and ask for a better seat. I have done that often.

Since shuffling people without permission would warrant a FT posting, the GA would need to speak with anyone before changing their seat. And the individual would need to be in the gate array to speak to. And the GA has a dozen other things to be doing. And if you are talking solely about no shows, the GAs are busy handling boarding, and standbys at that point. And since elites board first, they are on the plane, and setting in before no-shows are known. So in the best of cases this would be difficult to do and in many cases impossible.

Take it upon yourself to be scanning for better seats, it works. Also approaching the GA and just asking if a better seat opens up works.

UC could create a "waitlist" for E+ -- just for the exit row? or just certain E+ (not middles)? or all of E+? -- many different options that don't appear for F / business seats. Then there would need to be an other list to display and do you want to split PNRs or ..... Seems a bridge too far complexity .