Was about to pull the trigger & split the record (for the purpose of upgrade), then Sandy shows up on the horizon.

QUESTION: If I split the record & there are IROPS is my non-status traveling companion "left out in the cold" when it comes to re-booking? Is being "linked" enough or do only those on your PNR have a better position?

(we were caught in the AMS snow choas in 2010 & ONLY got out (together) because I was Diamond (same PNR))

Can anyone give me any insight into how this would go down in a real-world WX crisis? Thanks