Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe LAA typically held back 2 seats in F (unless all were sold) until the gate. This was great for mis-connects, and alleviated many of the problems posters have posted above. I believe AA should go back to this system. As an LAA EXP, despite mis-connects/OSO, I was still able to keep my seat in F, which was a HUGE selling point for me on AA irrops and maintaining status versus my experience at UA.