actually 24 hours out all seats are avail to all pax. Also if you are purchasing a full fare ticket you can select pref. seating. at anytime. The best time to do this is at check in when it asks you to review your flight details. Keep in mind once you are checked in only you can change your seat online or you will need to wait to get to the airport. You can print out BP however many times you would like theoretically.

A non elite should only be give an elite seat in the situations I listed above or in situations where they are traveling with an elite. Just because you know or are related to an elite does not suddenly give you elite benefits.