I ask because 3 times in a row in the past two weeks, I had an aisle FC seat, and when I got on the plane there was someone already sitting in my seat who then asked me if I would mind switching with their spouse or teen, from whom they were separated.
I don't mind and will always switch. However, it does sort of annoy me when someone is already sitting in my seat and looks surprised when I tell them: Hi, I think this is my seat. Of course, I guess it would be worse if I was seated with my things in the overhead and under the seat in front of me and items spread around (if that was the case).
Yes, FC - so nobody is asking me to take a middle seat, but still - if I get to choose my seat in advance, maybe I still wanted the seat I chose for a reason?
Maybe I'm just because in the last instance, I ended up having to sit in my least favorite FC seat next to a very obese, talkative, first-time-flying-in-first woman who was clueless about everything and drove me nuts and almost spilled her drinks on me throughout the flight (requiring me to guard the glass on the console continuously from her flailing limbs - she was also turning her very large body in the seat from side to side to figure out the headset for hours, thereby knocking her glass).
Or maybe I'm just sick of being nice and need to vent...
Is it more polite to move first, ask later, stand and hover without blocking the aisle?

(Apologizing in advance if this Q was specifically answered. I did a search and could not find it.)

I will only switch to a better seat.

So what do you tell the separated spouse/father/mother who is ALREADY sitting in your seat?

By the way, you're right in that this is discussed a lot on FT... the latest was at
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=766176

I think that thread got 300 replies before closure.

"Hi, I think you are in my seat . . . 1E? (or whatever)," as you show them the boarding pass you are carrying in your hand. I have politely kicked people out of my seat many, many times in this manner - that is why I always keep my boarding pass handy until boarding is complete.

I always refuse to switch unless I am offered a similar or better seat. Sometimes, I will not switch just because I am in a favorite seat.

In your situation, I cannot believe that you traded with someone who had the nerve to just occupy your seat. I would have refused to change seats on that basis alone. Not to mention the fact that you traded an aisle for a window. Willingly switching seats with such people simply encourages the practice (i.e., sitting in a seat one knows belongs to someone else, before even asking), IMO.

I did this three times on a recent set of NWA flights when upgrading a companion. I hope I didn't make you move - I found out later that on one leg, the person I asked to move, had already moved once before.

I only ask people to move to a better, like seat, i.e. aisle for aisle, window for window, and more towards the front. Because you can't always know when a person is going to get on board, I typically sit down rather than blocking the aisle. I guess something could be said for sitting in my original seat, and asking the person to move. I wouldn't be upset if the person I asked to move said "no."

I agree with bruceba and CO 1E.

If I'm in a good seat and the potential-seat is inferior, I usually explain exactly that and suggest that they ask the other person to move (likely in the 2nd half of the inferior pair).

However, attitude goes a long way and I have gladly switched to an equal seat to accomodate. But I can tell you that if someone is already sitting in the seat presuming that I'll switch, they've started off on the wrong foot and I'm not likely to agree.

I would never do this in Y but in FC I guess I am worried that I will be publicly shamed by the FAs since they are all considered "good" seats (I have actually heard that said by someone before when they would not move when asked). Also, when it's someone who wants to sit with their (even teenage) child, I am sort of afraid of a rude response by the parent and the FAs being mean to me!
But yes, it does encourage the practice, and I think it's rude to already occupy the seat befores asking. I think I have been too nice, but I'm not sure what a good response is as to why I must sit in my seat other than I prefer an aisle. That can come off as quite selfish-sounding to two people who want to sit together.
Although - after moving for selfish/rude people so much lately and that last bad experience I think I'll just have to say no - or else stop getting to the gate so late and get my butt in my seat first.

(P.S. CO DCA - That was not me! But I did once move 2x before. Ok, everyone stop asking me!!!)

I always move seats whether it is a parent and a child or two adults. I feel it is the right thing to do and I really don't mind where I sit in FC, just as long as I do.

Seems to be the general consensus here and on other boards. I'll modify my FC companion changing behavior accordingly.

Yes, you are being too nice. Preferring an aisle is a perfectly good reason for not switching, and I proffer that reason all the time. Aisle and window seats are not equal, even in F. I am sure that some window seat fans would not trade a window for an aisle, either. Although, I have yet to be refused when asking someone to trade their window seat for an aisle (on the rare occcasions when I have done so to sit next to companions).

Not every F seat is a good F seat, and not just window vs. aisle. Some seats (last row) may not recline as much, some seats (5AB on CO 738s) are close to the mid-cabin lavatory, some may have less pitch (the A/B side of AA MD80s) and you may not get a meal choice is you're further back.

seatguru.com is a great guide.
http://www.seatguru.com/airlines/Con...nformation.php

And my New Year's resolution is to Just Say No - at least to people who have already planted themselves in my seat. Or if it's a seat I don't want.

Exactly. I most recently re-located to one of my least favorite seats there for some of these reasons and was not too happy about it. What's interesting is the guy's spouse and other kid were then in the same row as me, across the aisle, and I saw he was Platinum, so I know he sat in my seat, intentionally, so that he and his kid wouldn't both be in the last row if they asked the other person to switch.

"You'll have to speak to the FA if you need to be reseated. However, I would like to sit down, so if you don't mind . . ."

Any refusal beyond that and I'll call the FA myself.

I choose my seats with care and all F seats are not created equal. If asked, I'll switch to an equal or better seat or, if I think the reason is compelling, I might switch to a slightly worse seat. However, if someone just takes my seat without asking first, I will never switch regardless of the reason.

The lack of planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on mine. - Old aerospace industry saying.

You don't have to justify anything to anyone. "Sorry, I prefer this seat," is more than enough.