Originally Posted by TropicalTripper

This past weekend I flew the 737 8 MAX from DCA to MCO and back. As a Gold, I can't select Main Cabin Extra seats for free until check-in. I noticed that seats in row 10 went from orange (Main Cabin Extra) to green (preferred) on the seat map several hours before check-in opened on both flights, which I thought odd. Southbound I was able to snag non-reclining exit seats in row 16, which offered great leg room, as you'd expect. On the return I moved my wife and I to 10D & F a couple hours before check-in opened, thinking these would be Main Cabin Extra seats. While I didn't have a tape measure, these seats felt as tight as any AA economy seat. Looking at row 9, they clearly had more leg room. I would have been irritated if I paid for seats in row 10. Am I delusional, or has anyone else had this experience in row 10? Also, what's up with the seats converting from Main Cabin Extra to preferred seats in the hours leading up to T-24 check-in? Everything else about the aircraft met my expectations, both good and bad. Nice big overhead bins, but no IFE.