Flying RT IAH - LIM in a group of 4 (1k, 1k, gold, no status). Booked on same PNR in U class.

Used 4 GPU for the return. Outbound we split to 3 PNRs due to upgrade waitlist - 1k, 1k, (gold and no status). Did not clear.

I checked in for the LIM - IAH segment in this order: 1k(me), 1k(spouse), then gold / no.

The upgrade waitlist ended up being: No status, gold, 1k spouse, 1k me.

I thought I understood the priority waitlist, but this is backwards.

Am I missing something in this process?