Not true at all - try selecting row 1 in CE as a Silver for example. QF, same thing, on the 388 the entire front cabin in J (5 rows) is blocked for Emeralds and above and often if you have no or entry level status, there is very little choice even in an almost empty cabin until T-72. On the 738, only the last row is avaliable. Even VN reserves seats 1AC on the 321 and 1A and 2A on the 359 and 789 for elites.

This is theoretical seating and it's part of Amaedus Altea - many major carriers use this system, even if the vast majority of passengers are not aware of it.