I am connecting through DCA on my way to LGA. It looks like I have a good chance of making the next earlier shuttle out of DCA to LGA. Will I have to pay a $25 standby fee? Thx.

capetime5,
Double check which gate/terminal you fly into at DCA. On occasion I have flown into a different terminal than that from which the shuttle leaves, AND had to go out and back in through a different security checkpoint. Just some friendly advice.

As far as flying standby, as a CP I have only been charged the standby fee 1x in the last dozen or so standby attempts for the shuttle. Good luck!

I doubt it. Just go to the ticket counter and ask if you can get on that flight. I've never been charged. The only time they raise a stink is if you're on a ticket booked using a fare class good during certain hours. Lots of students do this ... they book an 8 or 9 p.m. Shuttle then want to get on the 6 p.m. They won't let you do that without paying the fare difference. Amtrak does the same thing.

post trip report:
no change fee charged at DCA for 1 hour shuttle flight change
^

This might help y'all (as it certainly did for me)...

Recent experiences with Shuttle & standby (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=120487)

It is not uncommon to see operational waivers on the shuttle if ATC/weather delays are taking place.
But you can always cover yourself against the USD 25.00 standby fee by being ticketed on the UA codeshare flight numbers. If the ticket is issued by UA (016 ticket number) it falls under UA fare rules.
(There are a few agents at any given airport who do not realize this.)