I didn't mind that you posted here, just wanna make sure no on thinks that this means you can do Plan B with non UA ticket stock.
But still I am confused you said that every one ended up in J and here you said otherwise. What am I missing?
Everyone had a business class ticket, but two people were on a different flight. I had them switched to a separate flight on which there was no I, IN, or even J available for the last PAX.
So one passenger was booked on the flight in Y (on the LH Business award ticket) and placed on top of upgrade list with PR-1 status.
That aspect - having PR-1 status when switching to another flight that doesn't have business availability, is similar to plan B and may help members in a similar situation.
The same way when plan b doesn't clear on its own 24 hours before flight, at the airport you can get on top of the list, so too, when switching flights at the airport, within 24 hours, from a business ticket to a flight without business availability, you may be able to obtain PR-1 status.