I was able to sit next to my companion, but I knew enough from reading the SW forum to check her in exactly at T-24 to get a decent boarding number, as well as to sit around row 5-6 and not try and save an exit or otherwise highly-prized seat. I was asked by a few people if they could have the seat and replied politely that I was hoping to save it for someone... didn't have any trouble with that answer but it did raise the blood pressure a bit. Not that it would have been the end of the world to fly separately, but the whole uncertainty piece was unpleasant for me.