I'm flying PHL to SFO next week and the competition among 1Ks will be pretty high for the last remaining upgrade seats. My questions are:

Does buying a higher economy fare class raise me up the que?

Does checking in earlier give me a better chance?

Does the clock start ticking the same way if I check-in via the web versus via the airport kiosk? (I know that USAir won't place me in the que if I do a web check-in - it requires an agent's help at the airport.)