Originally Posted by
pinniped
Sure, but that's subjective. Just because you say you can't occupy your seat because of a POS doesn't mean that the airline will agree. I'm just saying you're going to have some negotiating to do before the lead GA sends a plane out with 1 empty seat while at the same time writing you a $400 check and giving you a seat on the next flight.
My sense is that she'd (a) try to reseat people, even if it means putting you in a middle seat somewhere, (b) offer to confirm you a seat on a later flight, waiving the change fee as a courtesy, or (c) tell you to get back onboard and fasten your seat belt before you're thrown in the standby pool for the rest of the day.
It's not subjective at all. I paid for a seat. Either that seat (all of it) is available or it is not. If it is not available and there are no other seats on the aircraft, then there are 2 options. The airline can VDB someone to free a seat, or the airline can IDB me if I'm the one who ends up not on the flight.
I agree with you that the GA would probably not issue the IDB, you would probably have to get a Complaint Resolution Officer out there and/or go through Customer Service. It would also be a good idea to take a photo of the situation with your cell phone camera so that you have proof that your seat was occupied.