ATL-RIC (FL 248) - Monday, February 1 - successful - I approached the GA 60 minutes before departure and was told to return at the 40 minute mark. At about 45 minutes 'til departure, the Elites started circling the gate area like vultures (it reminded me a bit of Southwest's cattle-call seating process). At 40 minutes, the GA made one last attempt to sell BC seats. One sold. The Elites dropped into line. The man in front of me was told that all of the seats were already spoken for. He was visibly agitated. Then to my surprise, the GA recognized me and another woman and said that we were there earlier and upgraded us to BC. Oddly enough, the flight departed with one BC seat vacant.

RIC-ATL (FL 236) - Thursday, February 4 - unsuccessful - due to approaching bad weather, I had to rebook my flight with only five hours before departure. Online check-in wasn't working either so I had to check-in at Ticketing. Rep told me that I was the 12th Elite to check in and there were only two vacant BC seats. Bad odds to say the least. Once past security, I was told the same thing by the GA (so they're actually upgrading based on check-in time, as per policy). Fortunately, one of the successful upgrades was in an exit row and I was able to secure that seat instead. The GA was full of good information and told me that system upgrades will soon be in effect that will automate the Elite upgrade's "pecking order", providing for a more consistent application of the upgrade policy. Of course now we'll all be racing online at T-24 hours but at least it won't be at the gate counter.