Originally Posted by mpheels

That isn't your call to make. Airlines are not going to routinely pay VDB/IDB compensation and fly with empty seats. If they have 5 open C+ seats after upgrades processed and 5 people waiting for seat assignments, then someone is flying in C+ without paying/"earning" the upgrade. GAs will (generally) move passengers to better seats based on a range of criteria, but sometimes they need to put butts in seats as quickly and seamlessly as possible. Both airlines and passengers are taking a gamble with seat assignment at check in/boarding - sometimes the airline wins and they sell just enough super cheap tickets to fill the crappy seats. Sometimes the passenger wins, and they get a free C+ upgrade because it was the only open seat, all upgrades were processed, and the GA was short on time.

Originally Posted by PV_Premier

Woman on my flight just sat down next to me in 7A with a boarding pass for 8B. Normally wouldn't care as much but 7A was to be one of the few empty seats on this CR900 and I need to get some work done and was looking forward to the extra desk space (I'm in 7B). Her seat wasn't reassigned, as the seat map still shows vacant at departure.

Sure doesn't make me want to pay for it when people just poach and get away with it.

Not gonna call her out on it as I don't want her returned to 8B and have her kick me the whole flight.