Interesting tidbit here I forgot to post earlier.

I had been waitlisted for LAX-HKG for a few months for an SWU from Y to J on a flight this month.

I had an EF alert set.

Randomly checked my itinerary online and it showed me as upgraded to J and I needed to choose a seat.....this was 11 days BEFORE the flight. I checked EF and there was no C inventory available.

The app still showed as "systemwide requested" under that page but I was still able to choose a J seat.

This is the only flight I use SWU' on and I have never cleared 11 days prior.....if not at booking, then I would always get an EF alert about 48-72 hours til departure and call in to have them process it. I think I have had to go to the gate only once for the upgrade.

J looks fairly empty on my flight next week, too!