Originally Posted by
ethernal
Is it though? Perhaps if the C+ upgrade list was empty, but I've never seen a flight go out with an empty C+ upgrade list to/from ATL. It is not unlikely that the BE pax cleared directly into Y+ ahead of the medallions on the upgrade list. This directly ties to OP's question of how likely this option is to be successful for him/her.
It's possible, but equally possibly the GA did process C+ UG list then had leftover seats and went to the standby list. Rochester, NY (ROC) is a small market without many medallions, and a ROC-NYC flight will regularly have Golds and Silvers clear...a far cry from anything into ATL. The staff at ROC also seem to like to follow the rules with regards to UG lists, and are generally nice and approachable.
Again, standbys clearing into C+ is different than functionality to allow C+ upgrades only to windows or aisles - the main focus of this thread.