Basically, taping down a blanket is reserving your seat -- whether you do it at 7 a.m., or 7 p.m. I don't see how anyone can call it anything else.
Maybe there should be a blanket fee that is equal to the price of a reserved seat. When you pay that, you are entitled to choose your seat and tape down a blanket. Just like choosing a reserved seat.
Why should it be allowed for free?
Jim Morrison