Just got back from my second SEA-BKK this year. The first trip was in second week of Jan, and second trip was this past week. Both tickets were purchased about 4 months out, the first in V class, the second in W class. On both trips, the SEA-NRT and NRT-SEA cleared instantly upon purchase. But that's where it stops. NRT to BKK and return failed to clear on both trips. I was on upgrade list till last minute, and on each occasion I called united to confirm that even a few hours before flight time, there were still 10+ revenue seats in C remaining. In both cases, I was outbound on a Saturday and inbound on a Saturday also. So what gives?

All last year and in 2009, I was having the oppostie problem. NRT-BKK and return were clearing, but not the SEA-NRT portions. And this was before the protests?