At the airport I couldn't change seats while checking in, but after I checked in, I could. Go figure. I've snagged an exit row, but we're oversold. I'm looking at options now.
Originally Posted by
squeakr
In downgauges, certain seats"disappear" for the few seconds it takes to load the new seating configuration, and in those few seconds, seats can be assigned according to your MP preferences of aisle/window rather than E+ or -.
I don't think that was it. I was given an E- aisle (my preference is window) when E+ aisles and middles were available.
I managed to get into 20J on a 767, which is pretty good considering where I started. There were people downgraded from F to C and from C to E-. (!)
Nobody at ORD really understood what the computers do, although the most honest answer from a somewhat harried CSR was probably "The computer fills the seats randomly, and leaves it to us to fix it."