Anyone know of the easiest/quickest way to upgrade to first class at the last minute??(AA)Thanks a bunch!

Call the airlines and either pay for it, cash in miles, or redeem coupons.

The quickest way would be to purchase first class seats.

Got this from AA today.
As a Platinum level FF, I now get to upgrade for free everytime I fly.
This means there will be very little room up front for non-Platinum travelers trying to upgrade with space available "stickers"
You'll have to purchase your upgrade asGoTravel says... forget using a space available upgrade after today on most popular routes.

Effective March 18, 2004, AAdvantage is offering new upgrade benefits. AAdvantage Executive Platinum(R) members will receive unlimited, complimentary upgrades when traveling on any purchased published fare. In addition, you will be able to purchase 500-mile upgrades at a lower price. For complete details on all the 2004 changes, click the title/link or visit www.aa.com/upgrade2004.

Damn... just noticed that it's Exec Plat only. I still get upgraded but there will still be room.
Nevermind.

I used my miles to upgrade to first class from Lax to Orlando and it was well worth it. I think it was 15,000 miles on top of a $320.00 ticket. Love first class.

Can upgrades (if available) be done at the ticket counter with FF, or does that have to be done beforehand? Anyone have the experience?

I've seen it done both ways. If your intention is to upgrade with miles, it is to your advantage to lock in your FC seat as early as you possibly can. (This varies by carrier concerning eligible fare classes, terms & conditions, etc.)

It's better to call AAdvantage and do it over the phone. Not all of the gate agents know how to do AAdvantage transactions in the computer. It's not something they are trained on, evidently.

I upgraded for the DFW-SEA part of a trip home from Alaska on the phone 2 days prior, and up until the last minute, it appeared that I'd have to go out of security and re-check in at ticketing. Fortunately, one of the gate agent supervisors knew how to do the Aadvantage transaction to apply the "certificate" and saved my day!!