Have you considered paying for a flight to RNO from LAX?
I doubt an agent is going to waive MCT. There is a reason for MCT.
You mentioned getting put on the standby list at LHR.
The odds are better than not asking. I assume you mean an earlier LHR-LAX flight. There is also same day flight change, which could be used to change the flights. Of course they aren't going to let you bypass the MCT for a connection.