I can't get bulkheads as a non-elite on ANY flights with American, ones that are even 330 days in advance.
Are they blocked for elites only and then released at the airport?

-Mr. X

These are generally blocked and assigned by check-in staff at the airport, however, some flights do have these available for selection by elite level FF's. You can request these seats at check-in, its usually on a first-come first-served basis.

Skyguy is correct. These seats are generally blocked and available only to the airport check-in staff on the day of departure. These blocked seats provide our agents with a certain seating liquidity, if I may call it that. For example a family traveling with small children may have been unable to pre-assign seating that is side by side. The blocked seats can then be assigned to them thereby making their travel much easier. There are often passengers that have special needs that were not identified prior to check-in, limited mobility for example. As you can see, blocked seats are very handy tools for airport agents, affording them the ability to assist passengers with a variety of special needs and/or special requests as they arise.

Best Regards,
AAgent

Edited for grammar

[Edited 2005-11-28 20:55:35]

Do you guys like riding in the bulkhead seats? PAX are always asking to sit there and I don't get it. I don't like those seats because you can't extend your legs due to the wall being right there (I'm pretty tall) and you can't keep a bag with you since it must be stowed in the overhead bins. I guess the one advantage it that there's no one in front of you to recline their seat on you.

And there's usually a little bit of an advantage in leg room.
Thanks a lot for the explanatoin AAgent, I just shot you an e-mail  

UN_B732,

Some people love the bulkhead seats, some with long legs complain.

Regarding the email you sent, please check your inbox.

Best Regards,
AAgent

On MD-80s row 7 is blocked for airport assignment. D is a favorite for tall people because you can stretch out into the aisle of the F cabin.

On 777s 31ABHJ are the coveted, and non-blocked bulkheads, but you must be or be traveling with someone who is elite.

Bulkheads come with caveats, including the chance of sitting next to or near crying children. Also, on row 30 of the 777s you frequently have to deal with passengers crossing over... which is a pain as there really isn't room for passengers to be traipsing through all the time.