I'm sure I've seen this discussed in previous threads but couldn't get them to come up, so thanks to anyone who can find it or give me an updated answer:

What's the current conventional wisdom on waiting on the waitlist vs calling frequently? I'm waitlisted for a couple Y+ to J upgrades. (HKG-JFK and ORD-HKG during a busy time, so I expect it to be a close-run thing although the flights are all 9s right now.)

When I called in to waitlist, the Manila call center agent made an odd comment about how I could "stay on the waitlist or you also can call in sometimes." I can see on MMB that she did put me on the waitlist. And I've cleared off a waitlist in the past. But I also know that the waitlist doesn't clear automatically as soon as inventory becomes available.

So are people having success clearing automatically? Or is it worth my time to call in periodically in case there's a computer hold-up in clearing the waitlist after inventory opens?