...is not 1A on the Q200. It is 31C, last row aisle left on the 739. I know, because I spent over 7 hours in 31C yesterday on the way from Boston to Seattle. (first group on, a huge headwind and over 160 in line ahead of me to disembark =more than 7 hours)
Why is 31C the worst?: it could be the chemical odor every time the lav door is opened, or the use of 31C's backrest and armrest for support and leverage by the constant flood of people in line for said lavatory, or the use of 31C's foot space by those waiting for the lavatory so they can get out of the way of those returning to their seats.
You're thinking that if I don't want to be stuck in 31C I should plan far enough ahead to have better seating options. I did. I bought my $545. ticket over 6 weeks ago. At the time I had almost every seat in the coach cabin available to me. Instead of the row 6 bulkhead I chose the 2nd exit row, starboard, aisle. I think it was 16D.
Arriving at Logan about 1.5 hours before flight time I was given my boarding pass: 31C. The agent said that nothing could be done, and that she had no idea what had happened. The flight was completly full.
With any warning at all, I would have changed flights, or carriers. Knowing what I know now about 31C, I would rather have driven to Manchester and fought the WN cattle call fight.
I guess this happened to one other person on the same flight, but he was able to secure a mid-cabin aisle, so he was only semi-grumpy.
I've asked Customer Affairs if there is some super secret rule of which I am not aware. I really don't want this to happen again.
Does anyone here know what may have gone wrong?