An FT member since 10/05 with these complaints? You really need to learn a bit more from these boards than you seem to have done over the years, since the situations you discuss really just shouldn't be issues or at least not on a recurring basis as you indicate. You might not get all the upgrades you want, but sitting in E- -- that's happened to me only one or two times and both were irreg ops and I had the option of turning down the flight for one with an E+ or F seat already reserved for me.

Not having the upgrade cleared until you're at the gate, well join the club on that one but GS requests via their desk to IM have been discussed frequently on this board and quite often yield success.

Not knowing if the meal would be provided or you need to buy it, well I do agree that's a pain but if I'm particularly hungry or in a picky mood, I'll likely drop the ten or fifteen bucks just to ensure I have something that I like during the flight. Not the best option, but it works.