A common assumption is being made that this will mean the cabin is already full at T-24, or that the cabin will be full at x weeks before departure when a status passenger comes to book. Sure, it can only mean it'll be busier than before, and this may indeed be the case. But we have no idea exactly to what extent this will effect seat maps at any given time before departure, and I'd suggest reserving judgment until we know (and given FT, I'm sure we will know fairly quickly if it's a genuine problem.) I'd say this especially given that most people who either aren't status passengers or are on a discount fare probably won't consider the fees worthwhile, and that as a result the difference that this will make is being greatly over-estimated.