I give the OP props for at least calling ahead and getting at least something rather than those who assume they walk on water, select random seats and then during boarding poach seats and make a big ruckus demeaning folks who dont opt to move just for them. There is just no flight in the AS system that is such a dire need for a family to sit together unless there is a child under about 8 or 10 who then could be with one parent or guardian. Its always amazed me how the plane ride is so much different than the rest of life to some. Your kid isnt with you all day and the spouse is at another job all day. With driving and all between 6-10 hours in most cases. On AS anywhere from 30 minutes to at the most 6+ ORD/ANC and on average probably 3 hours yet if you cant sit together on some 2, 3, 4, or 5 hour plane flight its a travesty. We arent talking about 15 hour flights to Sydney here