Hi all. Thanks for your comments so far!
Regarding davidl's comment about seatmaps, the amex tool (
flyaow.com/class.htm ) already can display seatmaps (although it is a pain to get them). You have to select the actual flight you want, and pretend you are going to book a ticket. At the final confirmation screen it gives you the option to "select seats" and that pulls up a seat map for the class of service you were "booking." It is definitely not a good method, but it does work for many flights.
I will take all of your comments, and any others that come and try to get this project completed. (In the process of securing data right now.)
Cheers!
[This message has been edited by flyaow (edited Nov 25, 2003).]