Airline Employees and Upgrades

Dear Joel,
I plan to go to Las Vegas in a couple of months on United
Airlines and I will hope to get an upgrade. I was wondering would it
improve my odds to get an upgrade if along with my Mileage Plus status I
mention my mom works for the airline. She works at reservations so I was
wondering if I ask, an agent would upgrade me because my mom works there
so the agent would think one hand washes the other with my mom. What do
you think?
Thanks,
John

Dear John,
Indeed make use of this relationship. While flying this weekend from Los Angeles to New York, at least half of my first class cabin mates were airline employees. You might carry a note from your mom or have her make a note in your reservation record.
All the best.