I wouldn't put it beyond customer relations to be incorrect, although my query was about that very situation, waiting at the gate. Hmm, I guess anything can happen once it's under gate control, though.

I take it most folks have found that once you're waitlisted at the gate, companions are no longer tied to your status?

Here was my question to United:

"Related to the clearing of that upgrade, the gate agent told me that
despite my girlfriend and I being on the same PNR, our upgrades would
not both be tied to my status. Rather, I might clear, but she, as a
general member, would be at the bottom of the list. I'd always been
under the impression that companions on the same PNR would enjoy my
status in determining upgrade priority. Would you mind clarifying the
policy on this?"

United's response was "...as long as your fiancé is on the same PNR her upgrade priority status is linked with your status."