If you are Delta silver you now have Gold,Platinum, and Diamond in front of you. Also the airline can hold seats for a full fare customers up to departure time. Employees who are going to work can jump in front of you on seats. Go to the Delta forum and read. Some Flyertalker actually posted at fatastic Matrix chart on another web site showing who can upgrade in front of you....even what breaks it takes to break a tie if both of you are silver... In that case if you had a Delta Surpass(or super duper delta credit card) you win.