Obviously, someone could purchase a full fare at the last minute - BUT - the DL system shows the actual list - I don't know if UA does - If I understand correctly, UA processes their upgrade lists, according to their signs in LAS 20 minutes prior to departure - it is highly unlikely that someone would purchase and be processed within the final 20 minutes - so , given the DL system, at the 20 minute mark, you would see the list and your position on it, and the actual number of seats available - I presume that Employees are on the list as well on DL - At UA, from what I have seen , only seat numbers of possible upgrades are listed, there is no way to dispute it when an agent says that F class has checked in full and proceeds to board Employees - on DL this doesn't seem to happen as the numbers are in plain sight and show actual current check-in numbers, those numbers booked but not checked in, and remaining seats - That is a lot of info to be armed with - I am concerned more with Int'l than domestic as I have , like many others here, been left with a legitimate upgrade and legitimate upgrade request and my non-upgraded seat on Int'l flights only to see SA's on the manifest - NOT positive space, but SA's. Just an observation - HK