many times i've been automatically assigned 30F or 31F on a half-empty MD80. say what you want about the 777, but nobody wants to sit in 31F on an MD80.

otoh, if the computer automatically assigns less desirable seats, one of two things will happen:

- the person booking the trip will know and care, and will switch seats.
- the person booking the trip will not know or not care, and will not switch seats, leaving the betters seats available when i book my trip.

so, aa.com, keep assigning me 31F. i can change it.