Originally Posted by mikensf74

...But, where do we stop with all these at the gate transactions? It's not universal, but on many flights, gate agents are juggling a colony of gate lice inquiring on their upgrade status, their possibility of stand-by's, and requests to move seats. Corporate wants GA's to (at times) sell first class upgrades and E- to E+ upgrades. Then if they don't sell enough E+ at the gate, they need to perform an "operational upgrades" to E+ since non-elite flyers were not able to select seats at time of booking because E- was booked to capacity. If we add another layer of auctioning off an empty seat, it does seem to add more complexities at the gate. And, of course, at some point you have to start boarding the plane.

I think if there's a will there's a way. If there's money in it for United, it's probably an idea they will consider.