Originally Posted by ronin
I understand that they may like to float an unstated threat to get their way, but are you making this assertion as fact or as speculation? Because the insinuation in summing authoriities is that the passenger is commiting, or is about to commit, a crime, and that arbitrary seat assignments by gate agents have the force of law.
It is a crime to not obey the instructions of a flight crew. Yes, the GA isn't the flight crew, but all s/he needs to do is get the captain involved. Plus, sitting in F when you're technically supposed to be only entitled to Y would be considered theft of services. That's a crime.
What do YOU think they'd do if you just sat there and refused to move? The airline staff is not going to physically move you (although the cops might...), and they're probably not going to "give up" and let you stay unless perhaps the other pax with the same seat assignment agrees to go back in Y (maybe for compensation). Although in that case, they may continue give you a hard time for spite, particularly if you're in EWR.
