I know this is selfish, but I was wondering about tactics to "protect" the empty seat next to you. I fly mostly ERJ's and try to check in at the 24 hour mark to get the exit row window (12C). I am always hoping that 12B will not get filled, which it has not during the last couple of flights. The previous flight, I ended up with a deadheading pilot next to me, but the person in 12A decided to move to an empty row, so she moved to 12A and I had 12B and 12C to myself.

Since exit row is the closest thing to F on an ERJ, I'm always afraid someone will try to switch if they see an empty exit row seat and don't know what I would say if they did. Usually, when I realize that 12B will not be filled, I move my underseat items over to the space in front of 12B and kind of stretch my legs out between the two seats to discourage someone from trying to take it. Any other good tactics or is it just inappropriate to try to protect the seat next to me?