Exactly - it read very differently from how the poster clarified/walked back the tone.

There are plenty of data points here, including a whole separate thread, about discounted (i.e., non-fare differential) day-of-departure upgrades (or advance email promotions). My own: on 3 recent long-haul J segments, I got an email offer to upgrade leg #1 to F (at a highly discounted, but still expensive, price), was quoted a somewhat higher price at the airport for that same leg, and then was quoted a discounted price upon request for leg #3 at the airport. I didn't bother to ask about leg #2 .

FWIW, I never noticed the "ballet" into J after door closing, but I wasn't looking for it.

And also FWIW, this idea of employees/friends/family getting upgrades is well understood on US-based carriers, particularly on long-haul routes. This non-revenue travel is a specific benefit for employees. They usually have to pay fees to list for the premium cabin classes, but they will clear into any unsold seats toward the end of boarding. Maybe this is less formalized at AF, but I don't think there's anything inherently wrong with it.

I'm also inclined to think that revenue management withholding award upgrades from clearing to ensure more room for nonrevs is speculative, but I don't know much about FlyingBlue's upgrade scheme.