Whoever gets on the bus first gets the seats. Sometimes we have to stand, sometimes we get to sit. I don't judge anyone that wants their seat when they were in front of me on line. If I can walk through a theme park for 8 hours, I can stand for another 20 minutes on the bus and not give little kids the stink eye for sitting down. Chances are that poor kid will go flying when the bus turns corners or stops anyway.
Haven't read all the issues but just want to say, great post.
After one trip with busses...we always rent a car. That way we are always guaranteed a seat.