Silvertop,
Even if it clearly worked, was popular witht pax and was superior!
Was it not also a legacy of Sir Stelios' visit to Smokin Herb? One of the big mantras of low cost airlines was - shove 'em on quick, let 'em off quick - and accepted wisdom was that random seating was the best way to do this?
Of course, I still remember reading the blurb about using cheaper airports back when I took my first easy flight in 1996 - that one has long gone, so if now is the time to allocate seats - and gain extra yield for anyone who wants to pre-select any time before they get to the airport -then why not?