I've been gold all 2002, so the silver to gold issue is not the reason (for my problem, at least). I have also checked my WP account, and it matches the name that is on the tickets that I have been getting lately.

I have called in a day ahead of time (instead of the 3 day period that It should be upgraded) and when I talked to the agent, they have mentioned "thats weird, you should have a seat...." and will go ahead and give me a FC seat.

I may be grasping at straws, but I have noticed that this problem has seemed to happen just since NWA upgraded/modified their reservation system. Could this be the reason?