Southwest dropping open seating isn’t just a change in policy, it’s a change in their brand. As Seth Godin says:

A brand is not a logo. A brand is a promise, a story and a shorthand. A brand tells us what to expect the next time we engage with you.

Being named Fred is not a brand. Fred is your name, not your promise. If you’re an unreliable, selfish hustler, that’s your brand.