Originally Posted by
krlcomm
If you don't want to pony up $$$ for a seat then your choice is to check-in at the airport, get a seat request card, and have a seat assigned at the gate... pretty simple... that's your option.
That's pretty much what the OP said.
And I agree with the OP that it's sad to see AA do this.
There would be nothing wrong to give a seat request card online, and would put less stress on AA's resources at the airport.
IMHO anytime you can get your customers to do work for free, it's good practice.
The irony is that the OP's daughter will likely end up with a premium seat at the gate because all other seats are taken
