I’m in the same camp as you. I’ve booked some PE trips for later this year, and requested the SWU upgrades but have small expectations.

Something that bugs me about AA’s upgrade priority is why PE fares don’t receive higher a priority than Y. (Correct me if this is wrong but..) as far as I know the upgrade priority is Elite Level > Upgrade Type > EQD > Booking Code > Time of Request. In most cases EQD becomes the deciding factor, but why wouldn’t AA throw us a bone and recognize a customer who paid up for PE instead of coach?