LLAP - it depends on what airline you are traveling on. On American, the bulkhead seats are blocked, reserved for their premium flyers. These days, they cost more too as they do on many other airlines. The best way to get those seats is to try to do it at the airport at the gate - a lot of times those seats remain open because people do not want to pay (I believe you'd still need to pay even if you get them at the airport, those fools would rather have empty seats than to get a bit of revenue from them) and/or their premium flyers have been upgraded.

I know on American most of the forward seats are held for premium flyers. On Jet Blue the entire front section sells for a premium. Check each airline's policies regarding the "good" seats before booking and being dissapointed.