Rusty, The FC seats open 2 hours before departure. You can get assigned the empty seats two ways. Either checkin with a person and, show your elite card, ask for one. Second use the auto checkin computer. It will ask if you want to upgrade... The only time you have the "gate lottery" is when all seats are assigned and someone does not checkin within 20 minutes of departure. My advice, is if your aren't confirmed...get there early. They give out the seats in the order asked for...NOT ELITE STATUS if they are available before the 20 minute window. Then it is STATUS LEVEL). Hope this helps.