I don't get it, E+ middle vs E- aisle with empty middle
 

This is the second time this has happened to me recently, a pax chooses an E+ middle (with the window and aisle filled) versus an aisle seat in E- with an empty middle seat. What am I missing?

Last time I moved from 9F (752) to 30+D because the guy in 9E declined to move.

This time I stayed in 6C (320) while a guy stayed in 6B even though just 3 middle seats on the whole plane were full and there were plenty of window and aisle seats in the back (and I assume the guy was no rookie as he was on the plane before me and I got on as the last 1K).

Well 6B has a TON of legroom, so I don't blame the guy. Besides, maybe he was hoping you would move and he'd get the aisle.;)

Not sure about the 9E on 757, but I certainly will choose 6B/E on A320 over any E- Window/Aisle as the legroom is just insane and you have no problem accessing aisle from those 2 middle seats.

To some legspace or the ability to use a laptop outweighs side to side space. For a small to medium height person an open E- row might work well, for others it does not. Additionally there is a bit higher possibility in E- of noisy children or other less regular travelers that a person might want to aviod (trying not to start a flame event).

People's preferences vary -- part of what makes the world interesting:D

6B and 9E are playing the high percentage bet ... you'll move to a empty or 2/3s empty E- row, leaving him your aisle seat and an empty middle.

What I don't get are the morons who sit in the middle seat, next to a pax in the aisle or window, and after the door is shut, don't move to empty seat next to him.

E+ is overrated. Give me an open middle anyday. You get way more legroom by stretching out into the open space of the middle seat.

I would always prefer an E+ middle to any E- seat.

Sure it has legroom, but armrest space and shoulderoom have value too.

At 6'3", 240 lbs, I can squirm my legs around under an empty middle seat, even in E-, and my butt fits fine even into a 17" seat, but with a 48" chest I need more upperbody space than I get with 3 across.

Right, but some people are 6"6' and 180lbs, in which case they may feel differently. I certainly don't think it's a no brainer to take the E- aisle with an empty middle, but that's just me. Sounds like he was hoping you would move.;)

I will always take an E+ middle over an E- window/aisle unless the plane is really empty b/c I hate waiting to get off upon landing.

I like to be one of the first off so I can race though arrivals and get into a taxi before some old lady in 30F has even figured out which bag is hers.

Good thing you don't fly into IAD after midnight because being first off the plane just means you get to sit longer on the moon buggy while Ma and Pa Kettle in row 30 round up their vittles and their teeth before shuffling off to the shuttle.

NYC does occasionally have a few advantages... nothing worse than airports with too few gates - memories of endless bus journeys at LHR and CDG.

I would do (and have done) the same.

Its has alot to do with personal preference. I don't mind the lack of leg room if I do not have to deal with someone rubbing against me. I'm not small or slender, but less so than most of america, thus people think they can just use my left over space. Thats what gets me. :rolleyes: The other thing is how GAs open up middle E+ seats. A couple times I was A C with another GS and tons of middles. We got an US air silver in the middle or some E+ buy up.:confused:

as we all know, all of row 6 has a ton of legroom so even a middle seat in that row "ain't half bad" ;). i agree with lucky on this one as if it was me, the only seats i'd move to from 6-middle would be something on row 2 ;).