I'm wondering if this has to do with fare class? I'm a Plat on DL out of SLC right now and even when I had to purchase a last minute SLC-BOS fare on Sunday afternoon the 29th I jumped to the #1 spot on the upgrade list (Plat w/Y fare). With only 1 seat left I got the upgrade.

Another story in ATL my SLC-ATL was fine but ATL-BWI was cancelled (1st flight out in the morning, concerns of ice storms etc.). I was placed on the UG list which had 26 people on it. They rebooked my Q class fare to Y and low and behold I was #1 of 26. As you can imagine I was not used to being so lucky or fortunate as my past travels (Silver and Plat on CO out of IAH) were on my own dime. However I can attest to the fact that if you have a high fare class the pecking order seems to work.

Due to last minute fare purchases I seldom fly on LUT fares (I got one for next week from BWI-AUS) and as you can imagine I have been upgraded almost 100% of the time (only time I wasn't, flight cancelled, me #1 on UG list, no available seats AUS-ATL).

I'd say after paying F and A customers, then those who get FF tickets w/F cabin then the high fare Plats I can see the Plat out of ATL on an LUT having issues with UG's. Point I want to make is to ensure the UG you have to know your routes and do all you can to maximize your UG chances, IE reach Plat status and use higher fare classes when possible and feasable (I usually fly M fare to Europe to use my certs on my own dime).

Sorry for going OT but I was a Plat on CO as well and was upgraded often even out of IAH though I prefer the DL tv monitors showing clearly who is where on the UG and SB lists.