The question I have is there isn't a plane-load worth of E+, if as he describes, how should UA pick them. They've already upgraded all the elites there. Should it be by spend, when you booked the ticket, or just a mad scrum and fight to tap out to determine who is worthy. Regardless of what it is, expect unhappy people.
Also, I want my empty middle seat if I can, and paid for seats tend to make it less likely that no one sits there if the plane isn't full, as no one is paying for middle seats.