I didn't think about that. Probably.
That said, my TA has been flexible with that within Star Alliance so long as the thing tickets. I guess the operative word is "should". Debit memos haven't exactly been flying her way over it . . . perhaps rightfully so-- can a carrier debit her for issuing a ticket within the rules of a carrier's tariff? Maybe IATA can censure her for violating IATA rules? Most likely, no one notices because the practice complies with the applicable tariffs the e-ticket coupons lift and process just fine. A carrier is unlikely to deny carriage to a passenger on an "OK" coupon and PNR segment.
I'm not sure why there's a policy in the first place, or who would care (IATA or the airlines). I agree that an airline is unlikely to refuse to transport a passenger over this.
. All I'm sure of is that prior to PQP, when partner flights on partner tickets didn't earn any PQD, there was a lot of interest in getting TAs to plate *A flights exclusively on 016 where allowed by plating rules; and then, when IATA issued this guidance, it suddenly became much more difficult to find a TA that would be willing to do do it.