I think that the CO gate agents have more discretion than the article lets on.
I have had a situtation on CO flight where my fiancee was upgraded off of the standby list ahead of a plat elite member. On both the flight out of IAH and back she was put on the standby list earlier than a Plat. She did not get the seat on the departure but did on the return. The agent said to me on the return that "procedure" would not let her upgrade my fiancee but then with the right kind words from me, upgraded her ahead of the plat.