Craig6z..I know elites who have checked me in at their elite check-in line (Beckles did it for me at SAN, NJDavid checked me in at the President's Club.) I do the same for friends with my United PRemEx membership.
(I checked in Christine once at Heathrow and once at the RCC.)

In your case, I don't see a problem. You are the elite and you can say your friend is traveling with you. If there was a problem the reservationist would say something. I don't see a problem.

Give out elite #'s that's another issue.