Originally Posted by
CCayley
The 'downside', as others have pointed out, is that if the top priority use of an empty seat is to place it next to a GCH, then couples and others travelling together could be forced to sit apart even though there were several 'seat pairs' available.
Except you didn't read closely: I said,
with the reservation that it should not impact any other booking.
As hiddy suggested and I agreed with, the "open seats" action should be one of the last ones taken, so it doesn't impact anyone else.