It is indeed the case. The change was made
Dec. 8th in a Star that begins:
CHAIRMAN'S PREFERRED ON PALL LIST
In an effort to provide a more balanced opportunity for lus chairman’s preferred customers to receive complimentary upgrades on aa flights, we are allowing them to be placed on the standby list for processing at the gate.
rest of detail here:
http://www.travelingbetter.com/showt...2943#post42943