Originally Posted by
dkc192
This improper upgrade clearing is so frustrating. This past week, however, I was pleasantly surprised by a positive experience, contrary to yours. I was booked on the noon LGA-BOS shuttle but arrived at LGA at 9:26am or so. The ticket counter agent was able to confirm me on the 10am in Y, and while she was doing so she made a discreet phone call. I only heard my last name being spelled out, by I suspect she might have been talking to the gate agent for my new flight, informing them that they had a new #1 on the upgrade list who was still at the ticket counter and asking them to clear the list properly. Regardless of whether the ticket counter and gate agents conversed, I got to the gate at 9:45am and was handed a new BP for F. So, credit where credit is due, at least to the gate agent for following proper upgrade procedures, and maybe to the ticket counter agent for helping her colleague at the gate do so!
my experience is that GAs generally don't process SDFC by default. They are usually used to processing off the PALL list and therefore standbys not SDFC. In the future I would call EXP desk at the point you are sure you will make the flight and then usually they have a hard time putting you upgrade list close to flight so you need to do it at a kiosk or at check in counters. Alternatively if you have AC access you can ask AC aangels but sounds like you were arriving at airport close enough that you probably didn't have time to go to the AC. I've not had a lot of luck getting gate agents to process SDFC unless you arrive a lot earlier to the gate and even then they usually default to putting you on the standby list even if there is E available and you are eligible to change. Better off having EXP desk confirm you on the flight and then asking GA to put you on the upgrade list.