If you stand by (any time before your scheduled time to 4 hours after it), they will try to put you on Coach first, and then to see if there is any f/c available. Since that happens only 10-15 minutes before the gate closes, and usually f/c stand-by clears before or at the same time, the chance is very slim. However, I did it once on a ATL-IAH-LAX flight. If you travel EWR-LAX, make sure you book on a 757-200 domestic config which has 24 f/c seats (flts #143, 135,133). The Business First only has 16 seats. Starting 4/1, CO uses 738 on some of the routes and 73G on Flt# 131, that is another reason f/c seats go out so quickly. I just love sitting in f/c on that route, the food is very good. Good luck to you.