Originally Posted by
diburning
If you skip seat selection...
Would you have a chance of getting a free EMS seat? Yes.
Are your chances good? No.
Depending on the aircraft type, there's at least one row blocked from seat selection. For example, on an A320, rows 1DEF, 6, and 25 are blocked. 6 and 25 are blocked to seat families without seat assignments, and 1DEF are blocked for injured or disabled passengers. 1DEF and 6 are released 24 hours before departure, row 25 is always held for gate assignment.
Out of curiosity -- do you know what is typically blocked on the E190?