How exactly does waitlist clearing work on these?

Issue: using a BXP3 on Europe->USA. A few days out 'C' inventory opened up. Out of hours for meeting services so called EXP desk. She said there's nothing she can do to pull that inventory and it has to be done by meeting services. By the time meeting services opened, it was gone. Surely the EXP desk should be able to process to at least hold the seat? EXP desk said they can't see any sign of waitlist at all on my locator.

What do you all do in this situation?