I never had my preferences (bottle of water and (extra) pillow) fullfilled when I entered. Sometimes after I sit they will ask about it and bring it, which means they at least read through the preferences. The tactic I use today to ask for preboarding. This is an gesture which is usually only with ultimates (when looking healthy ;-) ) and that signals that they have an ultimate on board. Usually they are going to check that, because they got an advance warning from the gate agents that there is a ultimate coming. They normally come to ask if everything is allright and bring sometimes the botlle of water.