Originally Posted by
airtran1
Most airlines close the doors 10 minuets prior to departure and there are some that close 15 minutes prior. There is a lot that needs to be done in that 10 minutes to get an ontime departure. If all passengers listed are checked in and on board, then they can sometimes leave earlier, but that is very rare. Even if the aircraft door is not closed, the boarding gate doors will always close 10 minutes prior.
I guarantee you that WN does not if there are passengers with boarding passes but not on the plane. At 10 minutes, WN may cancel your seat ( unless you are coming in on a transfer - and they do know if you are ) and start loading stand-bys. They certainly don't close the door and refuse to load late comers if seats are available.