Originally Posted by
vsevolod4
I've done this on numerous occasions on CO on IAH-AUS, or UA on ORD-EWR on longer-haul connections, just going up to the gate and asking and, almost always, accommodated no problem. If F is available, even the upgrade comes through but if not, hey I'm getting there earlier. Once in a while, flight is full or too busy to take me on, so I don't rant and rave or insist, but if they're not busy, they're usually more than happy to accommodate.
But have you done using a ticket purchased after the policy change? In the past it was a piece of cake, but I would imagine that it will be much harder these days, even on the "shuttle" flights that CO operates in some markets.