That's me, and I am highly aware that it made no sense for them. It wasn't my choice to implement COVID waivers for two years, but I kept flying normally and got PM.

What is the marginal cost, really? Putting people in seats that would otherwise be empty and prioritizing a few phone calls a year? The flight is going to operate and we will all get to the destination regardless of who sits where.

They offer Basic Economy as an option for very good reason. There's a market for it, and they're not going to miss out on it.