Originally Posted by
HLCinCOU
I don't have a source for it immediately handy, but my understanding is the EQD is calculated at every sweep. So if they open up C space a month in advance like they did for my LAX-AKL, they'll calculate it for the twelve months up to that moment. Then if they open up some more right before flight time, they'll do it again and your EQD number and thus place in line might well be significantly different.
The AA system takes into account some changes over time, but not all. In particular, changing status after a reservation is made can cause a glitch. Here are the particulars: Last year I dropped from EXP to PLT, then this year worked my way back to EXP. I was therefore sometimes making a reservation at one status level and flying at a higher one. Having reached EXP recently, I was surprised this week when for a wide open flight my upgrade cleared at 72 hours, not at 100 hours. Sure enough, when I called the EXP desk they could see me as EXP in the system, but the upgrade request was listed as PRO for the next domestic leg in the reservation. For another upcoming reservation, three legs were shown as PRO and one, the under 500 mile leg, at just PLT. Worth watching for if you are climbing the status ladder. The fix is easy: I asked the agent to clear out the upgrades and then reload them - they now all show EXP in the system.