OK, I'll bite... EUA runs sometime around 2am - 4am (EST) daily.

The "windows" had been 5-3-1, but now EUA seems to be running every night... as a Plat I recently purchased a ticket on 4 days notice and was upgraded on a few of the segments by the next morning.

When we used to get the EUA e-mails I know that they were usually time-stamped around 2:30am, give or take an hour.

I will also say that I think the airport free for all has ended for the most part. There was a period where it was just awful, but my recent experiences have led me to believe that the "3.5 hr rush to counter" efforts have been thwarted.

In fact, I think they're holding the seats far too long now... a lot of us have seen a marked increase in the "battfield promotion" to First Class. I've had this happen (3) times in the past month or so, compared to never last year.

On my recent trips the gate agents were telling all the non-upgraded Elites that there would be no seats released prior to boarding. If there were seats available they'd come to the back and get you... On my past two trips I've seen them start the standby list and then upgrade pax based upon status and check-in. On my flight yesterday there were (3) FC seats open, I was #2 as a Plat on the FC standby list and I was #2 upgraded on the aircraft. The pax ahead of me on the list was also a Plat, and pax #3 that was upgraded was also a Plat.

I could live without the suspense and drama, but I'm glad I got the seats and that they're following the Elite pecking order. Or, at least it seems that way to me...