From PradaFA

"Yes I did say buy a BF/F ticket. That would solve your problem & you wouldn't have to play HoKeY. Simple solution."

I think the better solution is to go to an airline where I know the rules BEFORE I get the ticket..CO is a good airline domestically but I do most of my flying on NW these days...just keep the CO card until I can change over or wait for the pendulum ot swing back after they look at their FF liability from those of us flying NW but using a CO FF...