Don't believe for a second that AC is not managing I space. When it was first introduced I was always equal to C. Slowly that changed to I almost always being less than C and very often equal to zero.

I think that AC is purposely making it less likely that many status (especially P and E) cannot upgrade in advance. On 5 out of 5 transatlantic flights I have taken this year, I was zeroed out. However on all 5 my ugprade was confirmed in advance off the waitlist without any opening of I. I was told once that the flight controllers watch for SE's on the waitlist and will upgrade them. I don't know if this is true, but that is my experience.