Below is part of a message I sent to AC today.

We have been having lively discussions on flyertalk concerning upgrade protocol for AC33. This is the most sought after upgrade because of distance and low flight frequency. Previously you assured me that the reason for shifting the upgrade request window from midnight to exact departure time was to maintain an even playing field for all potential upgrade seekers. AC 33 begins in YYZ with a stop at YVR. According to your previous statement, the window for the YVR-SYD leg cannot open before departure time at YVR. There are passengers who swear that they have received confirmed upgrade for YYZ straight through to SYD at the opening of the window for YYZ-YVR portion of the flight. They argue that this is so because they are on a "direct" flight to SYD, the YVR stop notwithstanding. Clearly this practice gives passengers with identical top tier status and fare class booking upstream of Toronto a more than five hours advantage at securing an upgrade over those downstream of YYZ. An even playing field could require (a) opening the YVR - SYD window for all travelers at Toronto departure time or (b) ensuring that for upgrade purposes, all upgrade requests are consistent with that even playing field specified in your previous message to me - separate windows for YYZ-YVR and YVR-SYD.

I look forward to hearing from you. I am sure you will check your with those charged with operating the protocol because I intend to share your answer with your frequent flyer community.

Thank you.

truly,