Originally Posted by sxf24
A few thoughts...
AS has clear rules, that they've adequately disclosed, regarding check-in times. Seat assignments are extended as a courtesy and are not guaranteed. It seems like you were seated in the cabin for which you purchased a ticket, so you got what you paid for.
Bottom line - if you don't follow the rules, you shouldn't complain about the consequences.
Strict adherance to those "rules" will have MVP Golds finding other airlines to do business with. I often pay $100 - $200 more to fly Alaska from Seattle - Las Vegas. For example, I just paid $350 for my flight tomorrow when United was $239.
And yes, I consider my first class seat a guarantee. I paid full fare (over $400) just so I could guarantee I would get a first class seat at the time of booking. (I had been feeling under the weather and wanted to be as comfortable as possible.) It's my fault that I arrived 2 minutes late, but those two minutes certainly did not mean that the flight would leave late because they waited an extra 2 minutes to clear upgrades. I often don't see AS clear upgrades until a few minutes (10 or so) before departure.
anathar -- I flew economy on that flight instead of waiting for the next flight. It was more important for me to get home then have first class.