Yep, it's been a few years (more than 3), but I did get burned once at LAS. Didn't do OLCI, and check-in was locked out at approx. 55 minutes to departure. Was booked, LAS-MSP-DAY (I think) --- since everything was way overbooked on that Monday morning..... I just walked over to DL and purchased a one-way FC seat from LAS-CVG... IIRC, the FC seat (only 1 left) was only a bit more than a full Y -- though, it might have just been the last seat available.

I got a bit of devilish joy thinking about the DL Platinum Medallion who was #1 on the list for the upgrade..... unfortunately, trumped by my purchase of a FC seat. Was wondering if there would be a post on FlyerTalk "I was #1 on the upgrade list with only 1 available FC seat, and it was less than an hour to departure --- I think DL upgraded someone else by accident and botched the upgrade list...."
Oh wait... I think I read that HERE IN THE NW forum.