My flight was retimed later and US told me to suck it up and shut up. They said I could fly standby but would have to pay. What ever happened to treating passengers well? I'm a DM Gold level and I'm not obnoxious.

A few weeks ago, there was some talk here (didn't sound like they were serious) that if standbys cost $100, they should pay passengers $100 for irregularities. That will never happen.

Pretty stupid isn't it?

Usually when a flight is retimed earlier or later by over an hour, you can change your segment for NO charge. This just happened to me and I was allowed to do it. So - is your flight more than an hour from its original time?

Today, US had clearer thinking and the problem has been resolved. Lessons learned (or previous lessons reinforced) include:

1. For special requests or unusual problems, consider calling during the daytime. If one calls on a weekend night, the reservation center may be staffed by less experienced employees. These employees may make a mistake in your favor, but they may also be more rigid and less innovative.

2. Passengers have to be prepared to deal with hardships on their own. Don't book the last flight (something I often do to increase workday productivity), bring your own food and water, be prepared to take your own flight without fail but make plans that the flight may be late or cancelled or retimed.

3. Sadly, consider Southwest because their fares are often lower and now they don't offer any worse service than the more expensive majors. The only difference is the upgrade, which I've had worse luck in getting in recent months. I haven't defected yet, though.

The standby issue (well covered elsewhere) is stupid. I suppose a few people abuse it by buying a redeye and trying to get a daytime flight, but many of use don't have the time to try such scheme. When we ask for standby, we only ask (not demand) for a seat that would otherwise go to waste and offer to open up a seat for a later flight.

Northwest has clearer thinking in this respect.