It won't help your D3 friend but zed tickets are an option as well for you. JAL being in oneworld would be zed low. I have bought backups on them in the past but never had to use it. Domestically, I think I've nonrevved more on my backup zed tickets last year than I did on AA.
The security escort in HKG certainly is something I've never heard of before. HKG, like a few other airports such as DUB and ATH clear at the check in counter and not the gate so I'm surprised your friend made it to the gate without a seat assignment. (Dropped my prescription sunglasses in ATH running to the gate for the last seat on the last BA flight of the day to LHR once).
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