Well folks, I finally have a successful resolution on this issue. After speaking with 3 Gold/Plat elite agents and hearing different stories about exit rows/bulkheads being all booked and that the agents could not always "see" true availability on KLM flights, I shot off an email to NW customer service via the website. Basically said this was the first time I contacted CS and was very unhappy with my experience with the elite line and getting conflicting answers.

Today I received a phone call from a lady within the "Executive Office" and wanted to call me rather than email me about a resolution. Basically she said that last Sept KLM made a change to the way NW agents see KLM availability. Most agents are not aware of the "new" system to determine avail on KLM flights. She did say she found me exit row seating (aisle) on this flight and forwarded the correct method for finding avail on KLM flights to the NW Elite Training Dept so they would make a point to inform all Elite agents the correct way to find and book preferred seating for elite members. I'm a happy camper, and it looks like NW came through and knows there was a problem and are committed to fixing it.