Stud Seat "Position" Questions ?

You go to your casino and find that they are calling down your favorite stud game. And you find that you have made the list. You walk over to the table, and to your surprise. you find that no one has reserved a position yet. Not having "any idea" where the new players will sit, which seat "position" would you take. And why?

During the game the player three positions to your left has set the pace of the game with his third street raises, and fourth street check raises. Then both of the players on his immediate right and left, rack up and leave. Since your casino uses seniority (by time) to provide seat changes, and since you have priority for first choice at the table, would you ask for a seat change, next to the active player? And if you would, would you take the seat on the active player's immediate right or left?