Understood. It almost read like you like to wait until right before you are seated and then ask for a change on a routine basis. :)
Nah, I try to not make a habit of it but if its a less than desirable area and other tables are available I’ll ask. My point was many times these young restaurant employees can’t even handle something as simple as a customer request for a different table. About a year ago we were gonna get seated at a table (again in a half empty restaurant) and I asked for a booth instead.....the little hostess actually had to go get the manager.......I could tell he couldn’t believe she had to get him for that.