If the once in awhile pax paid full F/C fare then I think they should get choice ahead of 1K fliers (and I say that as a 1K flier).
Even as a GS I would have no problem if UA decided to take meal orders Paid-F, GS, 1K, . . . Front to back is wrong for lots of reasons for all elites and paid tickets. The thing is - this is a "benefit" that would cost UA absolutely nothing to handle as pmUA did and make all elites happier with the outcome and yet they remove the benefit for no reason. That's just nuts - arbitrarily annoy your better customers for no gain to the airline? Yes, as a GS I still get priority choice but UA should do it in order for 1Ks and real paid tickets as well.