After I got the same answer, along with a real bad attitude, I called 1-800-We Could NOT Care Less.

The Manager who answered my call told me that the ONLY change to the policy was that the elite member was to be told that the seat assignment may be rescinded if the member truned out to be unqualified for exit row seating.

He then assigned me 12A for my 850 Mile Jungle Jet flight. I thanked him and asked him to re-educate the reservations supervisors.