Sorry if this has been answered, I read most of the thread but might have missed it.
Now, let's get back to our little experiment.
We have two big vacuum chambers, one on the RE and the other on the FE.
Both contain a mass at a mere 1m above the ground.
Both masses are released at the same time.
What happens to each mass?
Obviously in the RE model, gravity will pull it down until it hits the ground. Just like it would if you actually tried it.
However, according to the FE model it would honestly stay floating. That's because, before it's released, it has upward velocity equal to the upward velocity that the entire planet and all objects on it that aren't 'falling' have. Since there's no air resistance to pull it down (it's in a vacuum!) and inertia states that unless a force acts on the object, it'll keep its upward velocity equal to the earth. Hence, it should float!
But we both know that if you tried it, it's not gonna float. I don't happen to have a vacuum handy or anything, but I'm sure you can't deny that an object placed inside one would fall.
Anyway, sorry if this has already been stated, but I'd love to hear any arguments against this.