STOP!!! You're killing me here!!!d Get over yourselves.
SW has the fastest turn around time....due to their boarding process. The system works, most have no issue with it. Personally, I can't imagine a world where a single traveler is going to pass by multiple empty seats and go to the rear of the plane in order to take a middle seat between people they didn't know. Just stupid...and it's going to happen. Elbows jabbing people? Don't do it. I'm broad-shouldered as well. I've been seated next to larger men that seem to think both arm rests are theirs, even the one with my tv control on it! Just had to deal with it. Have I saved a seat on SW before? Yep. But, again, I was behind the wing....dh got stuck in the mens room in a huge crowd so missed our boarding slot. There were no issues. No one even looked at that empty seat. They continued on down the aisle. And yes, we all bought EBCI!!!!!
This is a ridiculous discussion. Everyone is making up 'what if' scenarios. And those situations would probably occur, maybe, 5% of the time. Yes, there are rude people. But there are also kind, considerate people.
EBCI? It does not say that you will get a better boarding slot. It says, and this only, that you will get checked in earlier than those not buying EBCI...hence the name...early bird check in!!! If you want to save a seat, go to the back of the plane. Allow those boarding with their entire party to get seats together as they board.
If you all chooses to continue this discussion, please do so without the 'what ifs'. I can make up a multiple of situations that would, in all likelihood, never happen but would certainly prove my point. If the 'snarkiness' continues, this will be closed. Thanks for your anticipated cooperation.