Originally Posted by IMOA

I think the issue is not using online checkin. I often get assigned a seat a row or two back when I go to online checkin but I'm always able to change to 1st row. I do wonder if what is happening is that you get assigned a seat a couple of rows back based on your preferences then at check in on a full flight there are some upgrades to J and people checking in at the airport are ending up with the seat they vacated. You'll also see non status pax in the middle seat or the bassinet quite often, in particulary with a family flying with a baby this will result in a number of non status pax up in the front row.

With the new system I do try to check in 20-24 hours out and then have another look before heading to the airport (or when I'm attached to a printer) to see how things are shaking out, this seems to work pretty well for me.