The elimination of change fees has not only disrupted RM/IM, but will also ultimately lead to higher fares overall.

AS has no good data on what demand will be for your route in October and thus, it opens few of the cheap seats. Closer in, it may do so, but only if it can't sell them at a premium.

There is no reason to book an October flight before late August or early September. All you are doing is making an interest-free loan and if it turns out that you need to make a change, but the better deal is on another carrier or it has better service, you are stuck on AS.