Tell me about it. Being from NJ and living in San Diego, CA, I make 4 to 6 cross country flights a year minimum. At 6', 210 lbs I always ask for an emergency row(more leg room). I usually get an aisle seat and leave the other arm rest to the middle person. Personally being in the back near the stinking bathrooms or next to screaming babies are much higher on my air rage meter.
I'd rather lash myself to the wing with bungee cords than to be seated in front of the dreaded "seat kickers" (usually 6-11 year old boys). These little hellspawn should have been drowned at birth.