I've done a lot of the short connection, long haul flights, eg, Trinnidad - Miami - LA - Syd - Gold coast.
I hate being stuck next to the big folk, the states is bad, but getting same here to.
On 1 memorable occasion, I am on the plane 1st, membership privileges give this, sure it was Miami, and 2 x heffers climb in and sit next to me with both arm rests up and 3 inches into my seat and squeezed into the wall.
So I just stood in an exit area, out the way, waited for everyone to get to the seats, which is now time for plane to go and walked up the front saying that someone is in my seat, and just stood there. Presented my boarding pass which shows gold membership. Plane was full so no more cattle class seats.
I said calmly that someone has got to go, simple, and here are the boarding passed for the next 2 flights.
So into 1st class I went.......
That is the only time I had it good, rest of the time, I just don't stand for it, I am proud to say I have the disease that allows me to say it as it is, so I just come right out with the forbidden, and tell them to get out of my chair.
Love the bit about paying for extra baggage so pay for extra weight on the seat, to true.