I know my use FWA to DFW has pretty much dropped off. I'm not using them on that trip anymore, it's just not worth it. I save them for when my wife and I are on a comp segment for me, she has no status, and I use them to get her the upgrade, on the rare times it clears. For me, even the CRJ7/9 MCE seats aren't that much worse than the F seats for 2 hours. Sorry the addition of a snack basket doesn't do much for me.

Last Sunday I took the 9:36 AM LGA-PHL. The E75 had four empty F seats with no one on the upgrade list.

People do that?

Related question. On a transcon LAX-JFK earlier this week (3 classes F,J,Y), I got upgraded Y to J about 48 hrs out, however at the gate I got upgraded to F. Much to my surprise, as I have never seen that before. Is that normal? I thought an upgrade to one class above paid class would be the max?
not aware that there was an oversell situation.

Definitely not normal. Business or coach might have become oversold at the last minute, or the GA was just feeling especially nice, etc., but certainly not normal protocol.

Thanks for confirming. Next time I'll be even more grateful if it happens!
I do find the normal policy a little strange though. I remember on another date, same flight: 2/10 of F occupied, J completely full, very long upgrade list which must all have been Y to J.
Feels like AA could make more customers happy and at the same time convert some 500 mile stamps or even a systemwide without taking away any revenue potential, since it's gate upgrades...

AA is not about that.
AA is about making money.

AA can proactively sell for cash upgrades to F (to either non-elites or elites sitting in J with no desire to use an upgrade instrument available to them)
AA can slash F prices
AA can downsize the F cabin.

What you and others propose (roll up just because) will never happen.

They could also make saaver awards available. But AA cares more about making sure nonrevs get those last minute F seats.

They didn't say 'roll up just because', they said use 500 miles or SWUs.....

No, it sounded to me that was for the pax in Y wanting to move to J, and in order to make space for them, they'd have to roll up some J pax "just because." It's been well-established and discussed here for over a decade, that they won't do that. One of course can use a SWU to move from J to F but I doubt many people find much value in that (though perhaps Flagship First Dining helps the equation).

Of course, there is no "right" answer about what the airline *should* do, and whether AA should give preferential treatment to nonrevs listing for F or for Y pax trying to upgrade into J. But AA has made its decision. Probably won't stop us from debating it for the next decade though! :)

It is disgusting but AA cares much more about the non-revs that it does it's own highest spending elite flyers. I regularly rail against this as it makes my blood boil. Why someone in purchased J can't use "stickers" to upgrade to F is simply beyond me. I hate it!!!!

2 of the 3 options for upgrading are still allowed for J to F -- mileage (+ copay if in I class), and SWU. Why aren't you bicheing about not being able to use stickers on international flights? They treat these flights pretty much like international flights. Give it a rest! :D

I don't think AA includes nonrevs in this equation, but I do think you already knew that.

The more appropriate question is to ask why do you accept the status quo of not sticker upgrades from J to F on transcons. It is illogical and unfair.

On a broader note, why are those who dare to criticize AA always being silenced/mocked! I will give it a rest when this travesty of a policy is fixed!