The GA did several things wrong and it was entirely appropriate to get someone else who will actually follow DL's guidelines to help. This is sort of the in-person version of phone roulette.

Once the flight is under gate control the bulkhead seats can be assigned. OP should have been assigned the EC seat he wanted. He is a medallion and can choose it. Of course there is always a small risk of being kicked out of that seat in favor of a disabled passenger who needs it. C'est la vie if that happens. If he had somehow not got the UG he'd have been stuck in a non-EC seat or in an EC middle when under DL's policies he was entitled to choose a seat he prefers. The redcoat was right to remind the GA she should be preferring medallions, especially over people trying to stand by for an earlier flight. If he'd been stuck in a seat he preferred less, FTers would have criticized his inaction.

Also no problem in asking about the last UG. It should have been given to him but it wasn't so he had to go after it. Again, if he hadn't FTers would be criticizing him for his inaction.

GAs take a lot of crap, more than they deserve, and it must be frustrating when DYKWIAs try to pull BS on them. But when a passenger makes a simple request in a polite manner and the request is completely within the rules the GA should do her job and process it. The only way to ensure that this happens consistently is to take action when it doesn't.

OP--the situation was resolved in your favor (twice), and the redcoat already corrected the GA. Don't complain further. Save it for if there's ever a time when you get really screwed and it isn't resolved.

What is SHENA??

What rules require a GA to give a blocked EC seat to a Medallion when releasing it? We might think it is a requisite service gesture, but what rule compels this?

Common sense?

It's people like you that make GAs like her think they can get away with pissing on us. And I've flown more than a thousand flights.

Gate agent Shenna?

Wonder how the party that got placed into row 10 ended up there?
Perhaps they were on a high fare class ticket?
Perhaps one or more of the members of the group were a SM elite and gave up their upgrade making one available to be seated with those in their party?
Perhaps one or more of the members of the party had recently been in some situation where the GA was doing something nice for the passenger who did not play the DYKWIA card?
Perhaps one or more members did in fact arrive at the gate and played the DYKWIA card?

Sounds like a bit of pre-mature shenna? (e.g. pms) ;)

Do or do not the bulkhead seats become available for passengers to select at a certain point prior to boarding?

The answer is yes.

Quite the life achievement. It's a 322 mile flight and you got a seat that is an inch wider and maybe a beverage worth 1.25. Fight on, my friend. Your valor and courage is amazing.

Somewhat off topic, but did you consider taking the Groome shuttle from Columbus instead of driving? Just curious since I haven't had to use them yet, but I may need to in the future if one of my CSG-ATL flights gets cancelled.

And along those lines, how often in your experience has CSG-ATL been cancelled? Happened to my girlfriend once but hasn't yet to me (I live in MI and fly to CSG to visit her).

Wow, a thousand flights! I'm impressed, NOT! 30 years, averaging 500K a year. You work the numbers!

No on the Groome. I prefer to log the segments. This is the first cancellation I have had, but this flight is delayed more times then it is on time (both the CSG-ATL and the ATL-CSG). The CSG-ATL delay kills me every time because it causes me to miss my connection.

Bubba, how short or long the flig is, isn't the point. As I mentioned earlier Delta has agreed to provide certain perks and benefits if I choose to spend my money and am loyal to their airline. I prefer those perks and chose Delta even when its more expensive or not quite as convienent. What's the point if your willing to give those perks up?

You might as well delete your sky miles status in your signature and just take what ever flight is cheapest regardless of airline.

You guys don't read very well do you? I didn't pull a DYKWIA. I politely asked to be moved, she. Explained why she couldn't at the time, I accepted it for what it was until 10 min later she gave those seats to standbys that were just trying to get on an earlier flight.

Your string of assumptions are just that....assumptions and hold no bearing.

I agree with this. I think OP was 100% right and should complain for 4500 skymiles compensation, I am shocked and dismayed at that GA!!

This is not necessarily always the case and I preferred the EC in case something happened and I didn't get the upgrade. My flight today from SDF-ATL was a perfect example. I was #1 on the list with 4 seats but due to a flight being canceled I was bumped down and didn't get the upgrade. I those cases I would much rather have a EC seat then a regular seat.