Background: We're a family of four - I'm Chairman, my wife is Platinum (dropping down to Gold next year), and the kids (6 and 4) are Silver.

US Airways was slow to release upgrade inventory for one of our upcoming flights. All four of us ended up upgrading this morning when they finally released upgrade inventory but several other people did as well, and all of the seats up front are assigned now. My son and I are together (4A and 4C), but my wife and daughter are separated (3A and 4F).

When is the best time to try to swap with whoever is in 3C or 4D?

I called the Chairman's Desk this morning to see if they could swap one of our seats with another passenger to get us together, and they said I had to do it at the gate. (Is that right that the CP Desk can't?)

If I can't get it done in advance, I'll try at the Club in PHL (where the segment starts).

If I can't get it done there, I'll try at the gate (well in advance of the flight).

If I can't get it done there, I'll see if either passenger is willing to trade. (Most people are more than willing to help families, especially when the alternative is sitting next to a kid. <G>)

If not, we'll probably put my son in 4F so he's just a couple seats over. He's a lot more independent. Give him my old iPhone (loaded with kids games and movies) and he'll be occupied for hours.

I'm sure it'll get done at some point, but I'd like to know where I should expect to get it resolved so I can be more persistent if necessary.