In MatthewLAX's LIVE AND LET'S FLY blog (link below), UA is introducing an automated system to handle upgrades and standbys replacing the CSRs clearing them at the gate.
https://liveandletsfly.com/united-st...ss-automation/
There are robust discussions about this new automated system in Matthew's blog, but I have not seen it discussed here.
I am withholding my judgement on this new system until I experience it myself. My most recent upgrade experience baffled me: full Y fare, GS and number on the list, but someone came out of nowhere and cleared before me.
Interested to observe the effectiveness of this automated system and unintended consequences.