I guess you "get around it" by setting an alarm for 24 hours + 1 minute prior to the departure time so you can be the first one to check-in.
The clever ones learn which method of checking in is the fastest and where the buttons to click are on the screen before they show up.

I like this system better than straight DOH since it reduces last minute disappointments, and when it comes down to the last seats (jumpseats) it's still DOH which I think is a nice compromise.

You also get "super passes" which allow you to increase your priority by one level (from 4 to 3), but these are limited per year.