Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: CMH, sometimes AVP, formerly down the Shore
Programs: UA 1K/3MM, AA EXP/3MM, DL MM, former fan of TWA
Posts: 1,854
My experience is that NW has been pretty generous with the op-ups for me (a CO Plat). One time, though, I wound up getting an op-up to the upper deck of a 747 flying NRT-JFK (remember that route?). The passenger next to me was a very friendly woman who was totally astounded that she had also been upgraded - from speaking with her, it seemed that she had hardly ever flown before.
My experience is that status often helps, but other times it is pretty much random.