Originally Posted by
jdrtravel
You might try calling Delta and asking to speak to a supervisor who has the authority to release blocked seats. Its hard to get them to do this, but on some routes they reserve seats for disabled passengers for gate assignment. They might be willing to put you there (might be a bulkhead) with the caveat that you will be moved if a disabled pax needs the seat. I have been offered this before.
But you have status on DL as a GM. We suspect that the OP and family have no status. That can make a big difference.
I've had the DM line offer to put me on hold and try to unblock a seat for me when all of the asiles and windows on the flights were occupied. It was made very clear that if a handicapped person needed that seat, I would be moved. Fortunately my upgrade cleared so there was no problem. I'm sure that people without status on DL would have been treated very differently.