Yes, as many posters on FT noted, sometimes the US F price is lower than Y! Even for transcon. I once flew PHL-LAS where the F fare was under $700 round trip (it may even have been closer to 600). Of course, I cannot do this all the time, but if someone else is paying...
Personal anecdote. I have been on 8 FC on 757. I think there was 8 FC 737 (HP version) too, but I honestly can't remember. But that 757 flight was LAS-PIT, and I was upgraded. Didn't think much of it at the time, but after the flight, I thought to myself "holy cow, I was pretty darn lucky!" I asked the FA during the flight if it was an easy work for him, with just 2 rows, and he just winked.
But back to the topic. Yeah, I absolutely expect FC seat numbers to come down, except may be on premium routes (like UA p.s.). VX has 8 FC. B6 I think will have 12 or 16, but they intend to fly on premium routes. But the AA A319 having 8 FC is telling.