Losing seat selection is a real drag from the passengers and the gate agents point of view. Myself since I've started with the co I have always done seat selection whenever I could. Nothing could be worse than an oversold flight full of families and/or groups without seats together. Here's what probably happened; you made your reservations and could I assume you may have also been booked on separate files. They may or may not have been cross referenced. When the sked change happened someone had to actually go into your files and action the change, even though the equip was the same, the flt nbr changed therefore losing all seats. The agent working the q's should have redone the seating with similar seating to what you had if it was available. However if your file was not x/ref the agent would not have known you were travelling with another person. If this ever happens again and they are unable to seat you at chk/in you should see the gate agent when the gate opens, usually 45-60 min prior to dep and ask if seating could be closer together. Show your elite card, ensure it has been entered and return to the MLL. Most seat exchanges are done withing 20min of dep time ie. after the flt is closed for ch/in.
Good Luck

ps. I know this isn't a good enough excuse, but there have been thousands of files to action due to such an huge change in scheduling and as a result many agents not previously experinced working this department have been given a rush course in how to. I have also noticed that one office in particular is very sloppy in actioning files due to mgmt pressure to do more work, it's not about quality in that particular office but quantity.!
pps. If you're travelling this holiday season with family and/or friends save yourself the agony, try to call and confirm your reservation and seating.

[This message has been edited by wanderinggypsy (edited 11-20-2001).]