Whatever they elect to call it, the CA product is Y+, not PE. Every true PE product has less seats across than in Y. OP is correct that the seats the complainers had were as good (and possibly better) than CA's PE seats.

I do find true PE is a huge advantage over Y on TPAC flights. That extra couple inches in width allows one to somewhat relax with being squeezed in.

Complainers were ignorant, stupid and obnoxious. They probably should be barred from having sex to avoid reproducing.