Originally Posted by climbermom
when I printed his boarding pass, it said he was added to the upgrade list, and it looks like he's number 1.
I don't think it says anywhere what your place on the upgrade list is. It does show a sequence number which indicates the order he checked-in for the flight, but that sequence number is the third criteria in CO's upgrade algorithm (see below).
There are 2 seats available in first-class, so what are they holding them for?
They're probably hoping somebody will buy them at the last minute. If they don't sell, they'll give them out at the gate. First in line will be any elites on Y-fares, then any plats, then any golds, then any silvers on fares higher than "X," and only if all those categories have been exhausted will they call your son's name and hand him the coveted battlefield upgrade. Good luck!