As of today you are correct. However per the recent announcement Economy Comfort is going to be a new (more expensive) fare class, able to be purchased well in advance. That, coupled with the "no selecting EC within 24 hrs" rule means most dh crewmembers can plan on rarely if ever seeing EC on deadheads in the future.

That sucks. However I don't see it as an anti pilot move, just a revenue initiative.