Selecting seats at on-line check in with Virgin?

[Rach78]

Hi,
I have just booked 3rd - 17th October flying with Virgin direct man - mco on way out and via Atlanta on way back. I know now with Virgin you cannot select seats for free. I have never paid to book seats before but last time I flew with US Airways who let you select them for free at time of booking. Has anyone experienced on line check in with Virgin and has there been a reasonable selection of seats? I would never really even consider paying but I am terrified of flying and don't like to sit too far back. (irrational I know especially since my husbands reassuring theory was that the back is the safest place because he has never heard of a plane reversing into a mountain!) I need to be in the middle somewhere. There is also 4 of us and I know even my oldest daughter (16) would hate to sit on her own. Can anyone shed any light on the joy of online check in and how much availability there was for seats? It is a treat for us to fly direct and I feel we have already paid more than usual so don't want to spend another £200 if I can help it!! TIA

 

[ChipnDaleRule]

Your main problem is,is £200 worth your peace of mind?If you can afford it id say pre book,if its a stretch then definitely no.A lot of people have already expressed their annoyance of having to pay extra on top of already very expensive flights,and have said that they won't pay any more and will wait until on-line check in opens.In reality how many will actually take the risk I'm not sure.You have a few things in your favour if you don't want to pay £200 1) There are two flights out that day 2) its out of school holidays.I asked VA the question regarding splitting people up and they said they will always sit families together the majority of time.
On a side note we found the back rows where it a 2-4-2 configuration to be best,those rows of 2 have more room to the side of the window

 

[pickers1982]

As you are taking the kids out of school hols i assume the flight wont be full in october but might be wrong. Also depends if you will get to the airport in plenty of time

Personally id keep the cash!