Theoretically.....if they need to board at T-30, wouldn't they need to clear the upgrade list at T-40 or so?

This would also allow them to process the standby list (for Y seats vacated by upgrades).

It would seem that this would become increasingly necessary given the recent increase in the number of battlefield upgrades necessitated by FCM.

Can someone who flies one of the JFK/CA routes where they all clear at the gate comment on when that process usually happens?