@Pat *******
the airline will indeed always say yes. It's a strange misconception by the senior members in this group who keep advising to ask an airline about their enforcement policy.
The reason they'll always say yes is slightly different though: they are supposed to check this and a check is always possible if the check-in crew has time/feels like doing it. On the phone they cannot promise that you can get away with breaking the rule, they'll always tell you what's officially required.