You see, what the big advantage with AA (and I think even more with UA with E+), is firstly that for travel around North America, you get to upgrade much more easily. Secondly, if you don't, and let's face it, if you are mid-tier, you won't earn enough stickers to upgrade more than 25% of your flights, you will have to fly in the back. AA creates more room for status pax by allowing exit and bulkhead seats to be web selected at booking, and middle seats left empty.