THIS makes sense to me finally why some folks thought they had confirmed seats but are dismayed when the get to the airport and find they have been moved throughout the plane. It just drives me nuts that people do not verify when the DIY through an online TA/booking agent. I've wanted to feel sympathy for folks that were re-seated but could not imagine why, now I understand why and do not feel bad when they did not do the due dilligence in checking with the airline itself about their seats.

I know from here that upon the rare occasion, an elite may be moved, but it is outside the norm, and nothing like what you see from the families that book a trip once a year and complain bout being reseated. On other airlines, you have the choice to pay more for seats near the front, on AS you do not, but you certainly can select seats together without fear of being relocated as long as they are not the priority seats.