Lets differentiate between SAME DAY CONFIRMED CHANGE and just STANDBY i.e being at the gate at boarding time without luggage.In the earlier situation htere is a $ 25 fee and in return PAx has ability to check in luggage. In the latter case the imposition of a fee would be irrational (except more nickeling and diming ) because the pax does not receive any service in return ( a few keystrokes on a computer is not a service ). One could make the case that I should be credited with showing up for an earlier flight with unsold seats because I offer the airline the enhanced operational flexibilty i.e the avoidance of potentialy paying pax compensation for an over-booked later flight or the ability resell my reserved seat for the later flight again and potentially at FULL fare for a last minute buying customer. The value decay for an unsold seat is 100 % like in $ 0 after check-in cut off time. BTW I do understand that airlines do not operate by logic but what they can get away with. Next : a coin slot (4 x 25 cents) next to onboard bathroom door for use of toilet. Remember it does actually cost money to clean toilets after landing. RYAN Air actually contemplated that.