Your mentality just replaced countless employee and the B/S they have to deal with.
It doesn't take "countless employees" to write a computer programme that allows you to pick a seat when booking. If you book early you should get first pick. Once the programme is in place what is there to change ? QED
What B/S do these "countless employees" have to put up with as pax. take their nominated seats ? Apart from that, everything else could be equal between airlines, I think S'West employees have to put up more B/S sorting out pax. fighting for better seats all the time.
I think S/West do a great job, my only gripe is over the seating policy, and yes, I'll put up with that to avoid the B/S that a lot of the other lot throw at one, like crap food thrown at one when THEY choose, I take my food and drink of my own choice aboard S/West and consume it at a time of my choosing, not when they deign to serve it !
Thanks for the comments, I'm bored with it all now - looking forward to spending my S/West complimentary flight coupon later this year! ( I scratched their back, they scratched mine ) I'll fight my way aboard with the best of them - already sharpening my elbows in anticipation !!