Why is this 'disgusting and pathetic'? If you're enticing people who are booking the highest fares right before departure (and who are by virtue of their ticket prices, also likely to be PPS Club members) to choose from the slim pickings that is left over, this would be a sensible change.

The only ones who lose out are the people who cheap out (Lite/on points), and sensibly so should be given fewer options until check-in.