when there was still phone check-in I managed to secure emergency exit in like 8 out of 10 times by calling just when the flight opened for check-in 48hrs prior to departure (as a LH *G and KF *S) but now that rate has gone down to max 1 of 10 with the disappointing online check-in. The seat selection shown there is utter rubsih - sorry to say. Maybe 1/10th of the seats are shown as selectable even when checking 48hrs prior. Maybe if one is QPP or TPP than that pic changes but I don't know. They can specifiy their preferred seats though and wil get them blocked when making a reservation IIRC.