UA says seat assignments aren't available; anyone who's been flying for a few years is used to being able to call the operating carrier and getting a seat. Or doing so on-line. If you called UA, they would even tell you that.

Not getting service that used to be the norm, and that you're even willing to pay for, is taking things to a new low. Those traveling in C, not such a big deal, but if you're in Y, a seat assignment can make the difference between being barely tolerable and complete misery. We (those of us in Y) are willing to pay to mitigate that misery.

This 61 year old male is willing to admit that seat guru's "negative" of a seat in proximity to lavatories is a positive. An aisle seat within 3-4 rows of the lav is my preference. The thought of an 11+ hour flight with turbulence scares me almost as much as having blood drawn. Actually, it scares me even more since I've had to get used to the vampires (getting older is not for the weak!).

I almost sound like I'm speaking for the 2P folk again!