I prefer a middle (non-exit row) seat to any exit row seat.

Wow.. great feed back.. can those who prefer middle seats elaborate as to why they prefer middle seats? And it seems like the men who prefer middle seats is when they are with two ladies or two daughters.. how bought two sons? Should a boss take the middle seat with two subordinates?

There have been times when I've chosen a middle seat over an aisle or window, typically for short flights where I have a tight connection or have to get somewhere in a hurry after arrival, and it's a middle seat in row 5 vs. a window in row 23. Excluding seatmate issues, there are only two circumstances in which I'd consider choosing a middle seat over an aisle or window in the same row: I might opt for a middle over an exit row window where the exit slide blocks most of the legroom for the window seat, and I might choose the adjacent middle seat over an aisle seat directly across from the lav. That's about it.

Two situations where I will take a middle:

1. If an exit middle is open I'll take it over a window/aisle non-exit.

2. On Southwest, if the plane looks to be full and the choice is between a middle seat upfront vs. a window/aisle at the back, I'll take the middle if it's a short flight. Getting off the plane first is worth being in the middle for an hour flight.

I was flying IAD-DEN on a UA 777 in Business and was assigned 11D, the aisle in the group of 3 in the middle. As it turned out, the two seats next to me were open so I ended up moving to the middle seat to give me self more arm room and the ability to recline without disturbing the person behind me. Other than this and the center seats in AA's 762 First Class (2-1-2) configuration, no I do not.

I wasn't referring to the ones that can't fit at all, just the ones that tend to spill over the armrest. You know, the ones that tend to sweat a lot and breath rather loudly.

I don't prefer them per se - But if I have nothing but middles to chose I'll try to choose one with an empty middle in front of me. Less chance of a recline from in front.

Good Selection techniques.. I like the one with no one in front so less chance of a recline.. Any reasons why one would pick back of the bus middle?

If you have no status with the airline, you'll be in a lower boarding "zone" if you're back-middle as opposed to back-aisle, increasing your odds of getting overhead bin space.

This guy wanted more table space...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7UeVYjN3WQ

A few days ago I flew DL ATL-SJU and was given the option of either a window at the back of the bus or a middle in the aft exit row. I ended up taking the window since I wanted to keep my streak of not getting a middle seat going (I travel as a standby and don't get to preselect a seat).

Looking back on it, I probably would have been better off taking the exit row middle as the window was pretty tight (I'm 6'4'' but skinny).

In the days when standby travel existed more easily, I was OK with a middle if I was able to take an earlier flight, a middle on the plane beats sitting at the airport.

I've also not minded middles on short WN flights when moving to accommodate a family.

Nope.

I detest middle seats and will go to lengths to avoid them (i.e. buying tickets early and picking my seat), but when flying with my wife I *always* seem to get skunked in the middle.

On the Great Priceline ORD-LHR Bargain of 2008, I got stuck in the middle seat of of the center block of seats. That sucked.

they have a policy? seems like a way to get sued. I mean, just how wide des a person have to be to be affected by such a policy? If someone's butt fits in the seat next to me, I figure I got no right to complain. Many people are broad shouldered, both fit or fat, the same width.