I too share a dislike for seat selection monetisation. At least for most pax seats will remain free once check-in opens.

While for me as EBD this might mean less pre-reserved seats and might also be in favour of the general type of person on FT since at T-30 (or earlier) they will be able to snag their preferred seats, I still don't like the concept of it.

It's a shame that SK seems to be on a mission to remove a lot of the nice things that made it niche and stand out.