First assigned seating flight (only have one first time!). Seems they caught on about the front bins. FA was situated in row 2 and had all bins up to row 6 closed. If someone put a bag in there he’d close it back up. Told people to “put large bags in overhead bin closest to your assigned seat.” Told me it was particularly because this Max8 didn’t have the upgraded put-bag-on-side bins. A lot of work for him frankly.

At the gate interestingly there were zero announcements about new boarding process or assigned seating. Just “pre-boarders” “priority” “group 1” etc. Actually a lot less talking than the numbered boarding process.

Not going to say I like assigned seating but it was smooth. Flight only about 50% full so will be interesting how it runs on a more full flight. (They did move a couple people for weight and balance)