Hey folks. Really glad I found this thread as I was hearing of this insane system elsewhere and kept saying "that can't be right, I've never experienced that anywhere else..." Welp, I guess I'm going to experience it!

A couple of questions. I'm flying Montreal->Lisbon. I'm really confused by the availability at OLCI (early on, I'm usually logging in as soon as my window opens). My husband and I got our tickets on a great sale (like, $550CA pp return, which is pretty much unheard of these days for TATL) so not much is included, and we're probably at the bottom of the list for any favours!

1. My email from TAP says check in opens 36 hrs out. I've seen people saying that it's T-24 in the US, can anyone confirm that the T-36 will work from Canada?

2. At OLCI, will we likely be assigned together? (party of 2) If so I can live with that. I have never paid for a "regular" seat selection in my life.

3. If not is there a charge for the "not-special" seats at that time?

4. I see the posts about the free seats dropping at T - 1:04. Can anyone confirm that, as of late September 2023? The latest confirmation I see is March '23.

5. If I print our boarding passes early and then try to change at T-1:04, will I get an electronic boarding pass update? I don't mind using my phone but I do appreciate the paper pass when it's easier to pull that out than pull out my phone.

Sigh. Anything else I should know about?

Appreciate your help!