I've A-listed into the A-50's on several occations. I've also been in the low teens on many occations. A-16 today - I think that is the first non-BS position.

My understanding is that A-list is supposed to be ahead of EB? If so, then those EB's behind me must have been rethinking that $10 fee.

As far as I know, the only way to guarentee one of the first seats on the plane is to buy Business Select - and even then you don't get to displace all of the folks already seated on the plane who are just flying through.