Quick question: Does anybody know how NW allocates seats to people on their standby lists?

I was at LAX yesterday, and as soon as LAX-DTW Flight 330 was delayed until later than Flight 334, I asked the Worldclubs attendant to put me (and my wife and daughter) on 334. She said it was oversold, but put us on the standby list.

She also put the two individual guys behind us on the list.

I overheard them talking about their Silver status. Being Platinum, I didn't think twice about it, that is, until we were at the gate. They got seats, we didn't.

Anybody know why this would happen?

I will give a plug to the PE line operator, who was able to rebook me in ~5 minutes time after they cancelled 330. Thank goodness for the hotline...beats the heck out of standing in line waiting for reticketing!!!