So I finally booked an itin with mainline US aircraft and called reservations to apply the upgrades. My question is whether there is a way for me either through the US website or virtuallythere to confirm the upgrade request posted. Or is it supposed to happen behind-the-scenes a la CO/NW?

I think silver clears 1 or 2 days out. You can go to the U site and check your itinerary (if booked online) or virtuallythere. It will indicate if the upgrade cleared. The U site either says check-in at airport or has a check mark indicating an upgrade. The virtuallythere shows the non-confirmed booked ticket in coach and also a confirmed ticket in first. Good luck.

Wirelessly posted (Samsung-SPHA900 AU-MIC-A900/2.0 MMP/2.0 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1)

So I finally booked an itin with mainline US aircraft and called reservations to apply the upgrades. My question is whether there is a way for me either through the US website or virtuallythere to confirm the upgrade request posted. Or is it supposed to happen behind-the-scenes a la CO/NW?

log in to dm click apply upgrades

if you are interested in checking to see if you are "listed" i.e. in for consideration for a complimentary upgrade, the best way is to call the Silver line and ask.
if you are interested in seeing if you "made" the complimentary upgrade at your 2-day window, besides calling, you can monitor virtuallythere -- your record changes noticeably.
the solid things you can do online are: a) apply for the upgrade (i do this when i book to save a call), b) check-in online.
the processing is automatic up to the point when/if you fail to land the upgrade.

Thanks for the answers guys. I did it online and got the "You're waitlisted" remark. I did a search and noticed some people posting that their itins would have them waitlisted for the same segment in a different class. Perhaps this only occurs after the upgrade confirms. Right now I completed the upgrade on USAir.com but my Virtuallythere still shows all my segments confirmed economy.

Mainline flights are few and far between on my routings so I want to make sure I don't somehow screw myself out of an upgrade. I can't wait until this is all automatic.

Do yourself a favor and call to confirm it anyway. The automagic process (on either the US or HP side) is far from perfect in my experience.

Do yourself a favor and call to confirm it anyway. The automagic process (on either the US or HP side) is far from perfect in my experience.

Agreed. OLCI at the 24 hr window will boost your chances on the wait list as US uses checkin time to determine who gets upgraded first, but only among others at your preferred level, silver, gold, plat. A CP who checks-in at the last minute and inquires about F will get the upgrade before you do.

And lately, the grumbling directed at me by anxious silvers and golds hovering near the GA gate dancing for an upgrade has been downright nasty.