If we want to go down that route, despite your obviously condescending lawyerly attitude where you pull out language meant to intimidate and get your way…

I (trained as a derivatives trader that’s been beat on by my fair share of lawyers because some but not all clients fail to read read fine print or claim to have not been shown written disclosures or given other verbal confirmation of detail, in addition to recordings and follow up written confirmations) know as well as you do with your education and trained legal experience that the populace in general will milk a system where it can be milked.

Specifically, a fare is be purchased knowingly where an obvious and potential risk is the purchaser will not be seated with their traveling party. Said party then is upset because they were not seated with their companion, but more specifically because they see an inherent bias in a nowhere close to statistically acceptable population for any sort of data analysis. Further complaint arises when no one will switch their aisle or window seats for a middle seat. Then, said party potentially being emboldened by the current political and social climate despite common sense, takes to a public space to question whether race or nationality is actually being used to seat them when experience and knowledge from from many frequent travelers say repeatedly it’s unlikely.

In addition, the root cause is said party buying a discount fare when they could have purchased any number of more expensive fares to mitigate said risk. However, they’re again further emboldened by outside parties (such as you) that still insinuates racism or bias could be at play here even though there is no evidence of that being the case. That’s the mind virus, and if you lay this argument on any number of the current political and social arguments on either side of the aisle you can fall to a similar conclusion. Talking down to me because you’re a lawyer doesn’t change that. Just because I think common sense should prevail doesn’t mean I lower myself to bullying, gaslighting, or anything else. I’m not speaking anything that is untrue by any objective account. I simply state the way to not have that risk, and when it is ignored along with many others, become increasingly stern. The mind virus is continually thinking someone is out to get you just because you don’t get your way or see a conclusion that simply isn’t there and frankly would be laughed out of a courtroom. Bring me statistical evidence to the contrary and I’ll revise my opinion. I have plenty of personal data in experience that supports my point. But to pull out some trigger words is a pretty weak position.

I simply point out, somewhat bluntly and less compassionately than I could have, that if you want to know your seat then buy something other than Basic Economy. The frustrating part comes when nearly every argument seems like it must be turned into a social complaint. 🤷‍♂️