HomerJay

There are plenty of available set pairs back there, they are just not available unless you pay extra for them.

The logic of this is to boost the RASM by charging people extra for the privilege of sitting together.

Those seats will, of course, open up the day before the flight, but that's a crap shoot. If the flight is sold out, you might not have a chance to change seats at that time to be able to sit together.

The bean counters at AA have figured out this is a way to boost revenue without once again hiking the basic fare.

Of course, sooner or later, some parent will be separated from a small child and some creep will touch that child inappropriately. Only then - when the police and the lawyers become involved - will the airlines - or our lawmakers - do anything about ensuring that families can sit together on airplanes without having to pay a premium.

The BEST way of getting around this - in the future - is to fly Virgin America on this route. They don't block available seats, except for the last row. And they have more room, better food, and better entertainment.