I checked in on 12/23 at EWR on a EWR-IAH-YYC flight. I asked in the PC lounge (right in front of security) and the attendant at the desk split the reservation and put me (gold) and my girlfriend on the upgrade list. It was a 777 to IAH and a 737-700 to YYC, and both looked good as far as she could tell.

When we got to the gate it was mayhem - at least 20 standbys and another 20 elites all aksing for upgrades. My girlfriend got the upgrade - i did not. Evidently the woman in the lounge put her on the list and not me. My frustration is the system - I think its unbelievable that they could upgrade a companion before the elite member. I went back to the lounge - no apology just 'well, we miss stuff sometimes', with a smirk.

Anyway, we went back to the gate and she asked the GA politely once most had boarded and conveniently a seat had opened up and I got my upgrade.

Overall a very maddening experience, mostly because nobody knew the rules and the systems are terrible.

4/4 upgrades for me, 3/4 for her on the total outbound/inbound. That's 4 more than my entire year of silver in 2004, so i guess there's a difference.

david