You other mainline guys have to remember, SW does not offer First Class seats, to anyone, so the Exit Row seats are the best seat (most room) they can offer, and with their 'open seating' (first come, first serve) well...they don't want non-revs, or jump seating off line pilots, in those seats.

Personally, I hate sitting in exit row seats, because most of them don't recline...but I do like to have the window vs. aisle seat, I like to be able to pull the window shades down when the sun is blasting in. I'd rather sit all the way in the back, as I always wait for all the paying pax to get out, before I get up to leave, even when not in uniform.