As notified, the new battlefield wait list rules did take effect today.
(Status-Fare-Check In now vs Status-Check In, etc.)

For my flight today LGA-CLE I used ONCI and had sequence #1.
I'm Gold and was on an X class fare.

Before departure I inquired about the FC wait list.
Was told there were 3 elites ahead of me, 2 plats and 1 gold.
I asked what fare the gold flyer had. He/she was on a Q fare.

While I travel a lot on cheap fares, both for biz and runs, I do agree with the new protocol. (A higher fare paying customer should be ahead of another same-status elite flyer on a cheaper fare.)

BTW, I did not get upgraded LGA-CLE.