Just completed SYD-LAX-SFO, first leg in IN, second leg in XN. About a week ago I called and waitlisted the second leg in IN (yes, should have done it earlier but forgot), which was done in 30 seconds without any issues.

Previously when I've done this, and it didn't clear before 24 hours, I was listed towards the top of the "upgrade" list - from memory based on there actually being 2 lists behind the scenes, one for passengers who were waitlisted into a class they had already "paid" for, and one for upgraders.

However today I was dead last on the upgrade list - 19th out of 19th (after upgrades were cleared). Have the rules here changed, or did the agent do something wrong with the waitlist? Obviously only a short flight so not a real issue, but there were 5 people upgraded at the gate, so odds are I would have been if I had been nearer the top.