I'm still not sure about the ticket re-issue and whether they have to do it or not - a change is a change, whether it's voluntary or involuntary.

As for the upgrades...they will not manually put you back into "R" class after your ticket is re-issued. If they do re-issue the ticket, they will have to back out your upgrades because they have to re-issue the ticket in the same class of service that you paid for. After that's done, you are put back into the upgrade queue like everyone else (the same way as if you had purchased your ticket the day it was re-issued by NWA). Just because you occupied an "R" seat before the re-issue doesn't mean you will occupy one afterwards. NW agents are not allowed to manually move anyone to the "R" bucket so if the EUA process grabs you for the upgrade you are lucky. However, if first is then sold out or not available for upgrades, you are stuck in the back. Also, to make it worse, there's the possibility that only "crappy" coach seats are left (middle, back of the plane, etc.).

PS - of course with a reissue while you are still in the same cabin you get to keep your originally assigned seats as the computer system doesn't take you off the flight to put you back on. However, again, if you were already upgraded and sitting in first, the system will move you back to your paid class and auto-assign you a coach seat.

-RM