I missed a 9am flight from MSP to DTW because of traffic missing my first meeting. I called NW while in traffic. They put me on the 10:40, no questions or fees. I don't take 9am flights from MSP anymore... 7/8am or 10am.

(Actually...that one worked out well, I ate lunch at DTW waiting to be picked up, and met a liquor salesman who had three 'sample' fifths of vodka sent to my office the next week...took a little bit of explaining...)


The other major time was in Dallas, missed it by a matter of seconds. It was early afternoon Thursday before 4th of July weekend. All flights were booked solid, but an hour with the gate agent and she was able to get us on the 6am flight. I was traveling with a colleague who was plat, I was not but she got us both on anyway, though apparently she shouldn't have prioritized me over others...
I felt bad though, we missed the flight and there as a kid there who also didn't make that flight, but had been on standby since 8am that morning and wasn't able to make it on. We returned for the 6am flight...he was still there....and still didn't make it on....