I take your point Basil and is why I tend to focus on flights in the next couple of days. Even then, as you say, it is not accurate, but it gives an indication of how the flight is booked overall.
Thinking of AA upgrades, I recall back in the 1990s when I went to ORD occasionally, there a voucher system and I usually found myself in Business although my ticket was Economy. The company apparently got these upgrade vouchers because of the regular bookings for its Directors in Business Class.
I guess the system has changed somewhat.
Incidentally Basil, why do you say the timings of the MAN flights are not attractive? Lack of frequency I can understand. Are you suggesting they operate too early some business travellers given we have no TATL flights after midday?