I know this is selfish, but I was wondering about tactics to "protect" the empty seat next to you. I fly mostly ERJ's and try to check in at the 24 hour mark to get the exit row window (12C). I am always hoping that 12B will not get filled, which it has not during the last couple of flights. The previous flight, I ended up with a deadheading pilot next to me, but the person in 12A decided to move to an empty row, so she moved to 12A and I had 12B and 12C to myself.

Since exit row is the closest thing to F on an ERJ, I'm always afraid someone will try to switch if they see an empty exit row seat and don't know what I would say if they did. Usually, when I realize that 12B will not be filled, I move my underseat items over to the space in front of 12B and kind of stretch my legs out between the two seats to discourage someone from trying to take it. Any other good tactics or is it just inappropriate to try to protect the seat next to me?

Unless you paid for the seat next to you, it's inappropriate.

Depends on the airline. There are plenty (BD/LH/OS/SK/TP) where an empty seat next to you in Y is an �lite privilege.

Inappropriate is an understatement. Selfish and inconsiderate is more like it. Why do some people think they can "prevent" other passengers from sitting next to them? I see this a lot (people putting their belongings on the seat or area next to them) and it doesn't matter whether it's on a train, plane or bus. I think it's extremely selfish. Sure, I'd love it if nobody sat next to me (in the middle seat), or even in my row, but I wouldn't try and stop them sitting where they want to.

I don't see this as inappropriate at all. If someone legitimately has that seat, all the things I pile up in that seat will not (and shouldn't) keep them from their seat. If that seat is NOT their assigned seat, then they don't have a right to it anyway (and as someone else mentioned, an elite flyer might have some right to having that seat empty). Given that FA's do not always enforce these matters, seems reasonabel enough to take small measures like this.

It is inappropriate. What would you say to someone who tried to sit in the seat you are holding for yourself? Nothing. He or she wants the same thing you do....another seat not paid for.

Take 12A and quit being a...

Never mind.

I agree. Especially considering it is an exit row seat. You should count yourself fortunate when you can fly with it empty. Perhaps if you want an empty seat next to you, you should consider choosing a seat in a less desirable row. I do this on late night flights when I know I might want to stretch out to sleep.

We've done this thread a few times before (I know Search is down...).

But...I'm going to guess here...I think the OP was talking about a situation where the aircraft door has closed and the seat is still empty. Then she sprawls out a bit. It's a situation where no one has booked the seat, and she's claiming the territory since it's right next to her.

I have to admit: I do the same thing. If it's 3-wide seating, the other person (aisle or window) does as well. We use whatever space is there, use the tray table, etc. I don't see any problem with it.

Two cases where this would be extremely rude, selfish, inconsiderate, etc.:

(a) On Southwest, before the door closes, sprawling out to "guard" multiple seats. I see people doing this in the exit rows all the time, and I agree it's selfish. People hope that if the flight goes off with 1 empty seat, it'll be the one next to them. I say if you really are hopeful about getting an empty seat, head straight for the last row of the plane and don't take exit row.

(b) On any other airline if somebody actually has the seat assignment. Duh, Captain Obvious, it's rude to try and prevent someone from sitting there, but I've had it happen to me on occasion - where I can tell that the person would rather I headed to the back and found another seat. (I don't think this is what the OP is talking about.)

What works for me: if I really want an empty seat, I talk to the gate agent a few minutes before boarding. I usually can tell by looking around whether there's any chance at all - if it's a packed flight, then obviously I don't bother them. But...if it's a lightly loaded flight, I politely ask for it, making it clear that I'll take whatever they have. (In other words, don't go in acting like you want an exit-row seat block; be willing to take the last row if you really want an open seat.) That usually works well.

That's why I'm asking. BTW, I would prefer 12C with a seatmate to 12A, as there is more room.

You are correct - I'm talking about a situation where no one has been assigned that seat. I would certainly never try to keep someone who has been assigned to that seat from taking it. Neither would I try to "protect" the seat before the door had been closed and it was obvious that the seat had not been assigned.

I'm also NOT talking about an open-seating situation, but simply a situation where the seat next to me is not assigned to another passenger and I'm trying to discourage someone from moving from their assigned seat to the empty seat next to me.

BTW, pinniped, it is more important to me to get the leg room from the exit row (I'm a tall woman) than to have the seat beside me empty, or I would indeed choose a less-desirable row. Having both seats to myself is just a nice little perk sometimes.

Sorry if I offended anyone.

I hear ya...I'm 6'3" so I always try to book exit row whenever possible. It used to be that AA would do courtesy seat-blocks for elites, but I do not think they do this anymore.

I don't fly RJ's much, which might be why I sometimes actually prefer 2 regular seats over 1 exit row seat. The seats are a bit comfier and I can fully sprawl out if I have window+middle. On a lightly-loaded flight, I'm happy to head to the back for plenty o' room.

None of this is anywhere near as bad as Analise recent experience of a mom -- and a FA -- trying to kick Analise off a plane so a lap baby could have it's own seat
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=413181

Pardon me? She got up out of her assigned 12A and moved back to the same place 12A but the row wasn't empty; you were in 12C?

Using the same row 12 as an example, what would happen if you, assigned 12C, sat in 12B. Of course you would slide back over to 12C if/when the person assigned to 12B arrives. And you would slide back to 12C saying it is yours if someone asks if 12C is vacant. But being in 12B, closer to the aisle, you make it a little harder for someone not assigned to the row to make the overture and take a seat in the row.

Travel tips:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/travel.htm

I can't really blame FemaleFlyer for wanting the empty seat beside her to remain empty on an ERJ, the seat width is tight enough to be uncomfortable even on a brief flight. While I understand that I have no right to the empty seat beside me in the exit row, my FF status does grant me the priviledge of having the seat next to me blocked off if space allows. If after the door closes and the FA asks for volunteers to move to the back rows of the plane and there are plenty behind me to be taken, my technique is to "look big" to preserve my comfort of an empty seat beside me and keep my nose in a magazine. If someone asks to sit beside me, I have no problem in allowing them to do so, but normally nobody bugs me when they see my "look big" position. Selfish? Yes! But if there are plenty of seats to be had on the plane, then I don't see it as a problem. Sorry if anyone here takes offense! I'm getting tired of all the CRJ flights servicing my home airport, when they used to fly bigger planes with 1st class with just as much frequency!