Originally Posted by
N227UA
and then I recalled my recent readings on the internet in which non-UA/CO *G passengers reported their success in securing E+ seats on the phone in advance with the reservation desk for free.
Would you mind reporting where you read these "readings"?
AFAIK, UA will give non-status E+ (for a fee, or if there are no other seats available/E- is full). But I have not seen any consistent reports of getting E+ in advance (short of IRROPS).