I know you did not post to be fact checked, but up to 1/3 of economy seats are available to selected for free at booking and another 1/3 are available at check in. Only the very forward 1/3 is not available for free (except for elites).

But yes, much of the gramour of 40-50 years ago is long gone. Travel in regular economy is basically akin to bus travel. But look at your ticket price, in real dollars, it is (outside of COVID) still about the cheapest it has ever been and the expenses for the carriers are higher than in past. It is it is a commodity

Safe Hint -- flip flips are not the best choice of foot covering if you had to evacuate and airplane.