Originally Posted by MSPeconomist

Were you seeing the 18 "open" FC seats on the seat map (inaccurate!) or did GIDS say that 18 FC seats were unclaimed, which I've always interpreted to include purchased tickets in FC or upgraded in advance that have not yet checked in? Or did you see the 18 (presumably really unsold at that time and not just those who haven't yet done OLCI but are confirmed in FC, so I would assume defined differently from the unclaimed number on GIDS) when you did OLCI (much earlier in SIN?) and saw your position at that time on the upgrade list? Even with FCM, 18 is a lot of FC seats not to give out as upgrades on an elite heavy route, so I wonder whether there could have been anticipated IROPs, in which case the GA should definitely have procrastinated on processing the upgrades and standbys.

This sounds to me like some passengers in FC (connecting from a BE ticket?) were expected to miss their connection and then did not. There also could have been a lot of SDCs onto your flight, but if they miss upgrade processing, I don't think most GAs would displace others for them or even be allowed to do so. Yet this sounds like the GA's explanation to you. Maybe the GA realized that he/she processed to upgrade list too early or maybe the new passenger was an elite with a FC ticket, not just an elite wanting a free upgrade. Or maybe it was an elite who was moved to your flight due to IROPs, in which case a favor would be appropriate.