Originally Posted by
MillennialMiles
OLCI opens at T-24 so recommending that they go "earlier before everyone checks in" is not good advice. If OP waits until they show up at the airport they might be SOL.
A lot of people have pre-paid or get complimentary seat assignments ahead of time so for you to state "Seat assignments are done day off at the check in" is not entirely correct. The ones without assigned seats are done on the day of the flight.
Valid, but for the general public, not a FT or anyone that can leverage any of those benefits there’s really only two options, check in online (hope it gives you a seat selection option) or show up early. Since op isn’t using a perk or paying for an assignment there’s not really much options left other than to be ahead of the queue.