I may receive some flack about this position......

I think fully paid revenue first class seats should have priority....full stop. They paid to be there. I think when there is a downgrade necessary (regardless of reason), it should be as follows:
1. LMU paid upgrade (if no more elites are waiting)
2. Complementary U class upgrades of elites in order of elite status (i.e. MVPs get downgraded first..then so on)
3. GGU U class upgrades
4. IF it comes to revenue....elite status, fare class, then time of checkin....

As much as i enjoy upgrades and fly alaska due to the % is higher....i understand they are space available upgrades.....