If it's 737's and the like, it ain't going to be a long flight. I'm sure even the most precious could manage an hour or two down the back. It's the long haul sectors that it becomes an issue, the KLM pairing being the catalyst for the reports and, I guess, subsequent change to policy. All long haul positioning that's currently done are on airlines with 3 class configurations. The shorter sectors will be down the back.
The Company isn't going to book a confirmed First seat, period. We don't even do that in our own Airline.
That's the point I'm trying to highlight. Why make an issue when one doesn't exist?
Harry