I had a strange situation last week, and I'm hoping someone can help me figure out what happened. I doubt this was Sheena.

I booked a last minute (but still inexpensive) ticket BOS-DTW-PIT. I booked it 18 hours before flight time. At check-in, I was #1 on the upgrade list on the first flight for six seats. I stayed at #1 until 45 minutes prior to boarding.

Suddenly, I was #1 for four seats. And then I was #1 for two seats at boarding time. When I went to the gate agent and introduced myself as #1 on the upgrade list, he greeted me by name and upgraded me on the spot.

Anyone who is a medallion would have most likely had their upgrades cleared before me since I booked it so late. And even if someone did have a higher priority than me, I should have moved down on the list. But why would have four seats just disappeared? I simply stayed at #1 on the list while seats vanished.

The only thing I can think of is that multiple people were offered FCM opportunities at check-in. But right at the time of boarding? The timing just seems weird.

Any thoughts?