thanks all for the replies/info
its been a while since I was a regular here, but iirc, there used to be a software tool [KVS?] that showed what seats were sold etc, and forum members would post. is that tool no longer working?
I am an LPR [green card holder] and UK citizen, so travel is permitted. I had to return to the UK for family reasons and then got caught by Covid.
If I dont return home [US], in less than 180 days [June 16], my "residency" requirement for citizenship resets back 5 years.